Dell OptiPlex 755 mini-tower can no longer detect any SATA devices

[gjackson123]

• 
  Dear Dell OptiPlex 755 Specialist,
  
  I have tried to use a decommissioned Dell OptiPlex 755 mini-tower that was functioning at work, but found that it no longer detect any SATA devices during boot up, despite have detected in F2 BIOS as follows:
  
  SATA-0 (On), Drive-ID: WDC WD1600AAJS-75M0A02, Capcity: 160GB, Controller: Serial ATA, Port:SATA-0, BIOS: Control by system BIOS.
  SATA-1 (On), Drive-ID: OPtiarc DVD+/-RW AD7200S, Controller: Serial ATA, Port:SATA-1, BIOS: Control by system BIOS.
  SATA-2 (On), Drive-ID: Hitachi HDS721616PLA380, Capcity: 160GB, Controller: Serial ATA, Port:SATA-2, BIOS: Control by system BIOS.
  
  SATA Operation: RAID Autodetect / ATA
  
  However, the following hardware detection is displayed during bootup:
  
  Primary Channel:
  IBM-DTLA-307045 38,166MB (IDE drive attached to RAID controller)
  Drive 1 not found
  
  Secondary Channel:
  Drive 0 and 1 not found
  
  Below is the outcome from F5 diagnostic test:
  
  Hard Drive – DST Short Test
  Test Results – Fail
  Error Code: 0146
  Msg: Error Code 2000-0146
  Msg: Unit 1: DST Log contains previous error(s).
  
  There are powered to all these devices and I have replaced them with different SATA data cables, including swapping the data cable on different SATA connector on motherboard without success. Both hard drives & DVD drive are working.
  
  The only thing that has changed was I had to carry this computer by foot for 1km together with catching train to take it home, not sure whether this would have damaged it in some way.
  
  Thanks in advance,
  George
  

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi


What windows version?
I see SATA hard disks with BIOS setting for Hard disk Controller
set to RAID Autodetect
what other settings are available and was the pair of 160GB drives originally setup as RAID?

You say hard disks are not detected so I presume Windows does not load
but you say the hard disks are working so how do you know they are working correctly

It looks as if the BIOS is reporting ATA/IDE hard drives so I am guessing
hard disk controller setting may be wrong

If the computer gets shaken up in transport sometimes the CMOS button cell battery comes loose & CMOS settings are lost.

I have seen that happen with some Dell PC's

what happens if you boot up with only one HDD plugged in?

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[drtweak]

It said the DST Failed? Might be a failed hard drive then.

Also make sure the sata ports are enabled. On dell BIOS you can disable SATA ports.

 

[gjackson123]

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much Mike for volunteering your expertise to help sort out this issue.

What windows version?

This was an instrument PC that runs on Windows XP years ago.

I see SATA hard disks with BIOS setting for Hard disk Controller set to RAID Autodetect what other settings are available and was the pair of 160GB drives originally setup as RAID?

Other BIOS settings include: RAIDAutodetect / AHCI, RAID On, Legacy.

You say hard disks are not detected so I presume Windows does not load but you say the hard disks are working so how do you know they are working correctly

As explained above, IDE boot disk (40GB) from the RAID/IDE hard disk controller which boots up Windows XP fine. I believe all SATA devices are working because they can be detected in BIOS and can hear them spin up. Also, able to open the DVD drive.

It looks as if the BIOS is reporting ATA/IDE hard drives so I am guessing hard disk controller setting may be wrong

The current BIOS setting appears to support both IDE and also autodetect ATA devices.

What happens if you boot up with only one HDD plugged in?

Problem solved by taking your advice and unplugged the single IDE 40GB drive, and removed the IDE ST Lab with Silicon Image chip controller on it, while leaving all SATA devices connected. I suspect the IDE controller is playing up by preventing autodetection from identifying SATA/ATA devices. The primary SATA-0 drive has its own Windows XP and successfully came up, without searching for any devices during boot up.

Thanks for advice which resolved this issue,
George

 

[gjackson123]

Already fixed this issue from my last update.

George