Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Can't boot up new hard drive

Feb 10, 2014 9:33PM PST

Renewed Maxtor 40 gb hard drive but lights on, nobody home. Even dvd door won't open

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: can't boot
Feb 10, 2014 9:37PM PST

I've never seen a hard disk drive with a dvd door. So that part of your story isn't clear.
And indeed you can't boot from a new hard disk until you installed the OS on it.

Kees

- Collapse -
cant boot
Feb 10, 2014 11:31PM PST

Meant door to cd/rw dvd-rom drive. How do I install OS with a blank screen?

- Collapse -
If you can't open the DVD door with the push button
Feb 10, 2014 11:48PM PST

it's either defective or getting no power. The possible root causes are many. Bad PSU, bad electrical connection, MB problem, you name it. What would be ideal is to have a DVM to check that all voltages are what they should be but you can start by checking that all fans run, LEDs that should be lit are lit, hard drive spins, etc.

- Collapse -
Re: blank screen
Feb 10, 2014 11:49PM PST

That blank screen seems to be a new error. If it's still blank after you booted from your install disk, you need either a new monitor or an new video card (or a new motherboard if it's an onboard video).

Kees

- Collapse -
Answer
Very on slim on details
Feb 11, 2014 12:02AM PST

A 40gb HD isn't much and if its being used in an old PC, or replacing an old HD, then prepare the HD for use. You will need your OS install or recovery discs. However, why your CD door doesn't open suggest you may have a power problem or far more in details will provide a better answer. Again, what else has been done or why are you at this point?

tada ------Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Answer
Further options
Feb 13, 2014 3:45AM PST

Hi

Not sure if this has already been suggested .... but attach your monitor to another system to make sure that this is OK.
Check the cable from your monitor to the Video Card.
Make sure that this is secure

I think part of your problem may be the fact that your Boot Order in the BIOS has the Hard Drive as the First Boot Option.

You need to make sure that the DVD CDROM is looked at first.
The usual way of entering the BIOS is to tap F2 or DEL shortly after switching on ( tap it about once per second )

If your screen is totally blank all the time ( you should get something on it when you switch on ) you may well have disturbed the Video Card when you were installing the hard drive.
Check this out.

Some Video Cards have extra 6 pin power connections to them.
If yours has one ( or two ) then make sure that they are connected.

.