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Resolved Question

Dell pc will not recognize hdd

by Sep 8, 2018 10:14PM PDT

I've tried taking the jumper out. The problem is the he'd isn't spinning. I'm trying to install a operating system onto a Dell optiplex 980. I've tried 3 hard drives none work it goes through loading windows system files then restarts and repeats. Is this a motherboard issue?

Discussion is locked

RBishop0886 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
8 Posts
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Best Answer

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Just Some Thoughts...
by Forum moderator Sep 9, 2018 8:41AM PDT

If the drive isn't spinning, then it's probably not getting power to the drive. Because the cable connectors between HDD and motherboard can fail, have you tried replacing the connection cable?

And because that computer is probably 4 or 5 years old, yes, it could be a motherboard issue. Have you checked for bulging or leaking capacitors on the board?

Plus, which operating system are you attempting to install and how? Are you using the recovery discs from Dell or possibly a system image you created? Or are you using something else? Ideally, try loading the original factory OS and files on the disk.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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replaced cables
by RBishop0886 Sep 9, 2018 10:57AM PDT

I have tried 3 different cables all with the same result. 2 of which were from working computers

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OS
by RBishop0886 Sep 22, 2018 10:14AM PDT

In attempting to install win7

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Answer
Jumper?
by Sep 9, 2018 10:06AM PDT

What jumper?

Looks like standard sata hdd's.

Requires 2 cables.......one power and one data.

Does the bios see this hdd?

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Jumper
by RBishop0886 Sep 9, 2018 11:00AM PDT

The jumper to reset the Motherboard. I've also reset admin password.

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There were 2 questions
by Bob__B Sep 9, 2018 11:28AM PDT

You answered one.....so try again.

Now here's another question.

What are you booting from?......disc or usb stick.

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boot
by RBishop0886 Sep 22, 2018 10:13AM PDT

I've tried booting from both with the same result.

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Answer
does the HDD have a jumper placement listed on it?
by Sep 9, 2018 10:40AM PDT

No IDE ports on that motherboard, only SATA. Are the drives also SATA, or using an IDE drive with adapter? What I don't understand is how it starts to install windows but then fails. Does the drive move, or it's indicator light on the case flash, when you are doing an install?

To test if the motherboard will boot to any "installed" OS, then boot instead to a DVD with Mint Linux burned to it, or any bootable DVD with a file manager will work to see if the HDD can be accessed. Since the installation DVD already boots, that would mean the SATA ports are probably OK and the HDD should work if several have been tried. If the computer suddenly shuts off and then reboots, this would instead indicate a PSU dropping out or since this is older computer, more like the CPU is quickly overheating and needs new thermal paste between it and the heatsink/fan.

Boot into the BIOS, go to the temperature section and just let it sit there for a while and watch the temps.

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