Laptop HD not recognized but working as an external

[kahnos]

Hey guys,

I've been checking a laptop which fails to boot because the hard disk isn't recognized. I tried checking the BIOS and nothing, however it does recognize other HD and i can perform tests on them normally.

I pulled the unrecognizable HD from the laptop and attached a USB interface, plugged it into my desktop and it worked normally. I was able to access files and perform a S.M.A.R.T and an extended block test with the WD tools.

Here are the results:

Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
Model Number: WDC WD1200BEVS-60UST0
Unit Serial Number: WD-WXC408659549
Firmware Number: 01.01A01
Capacity: 120.03 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 21:22:18, September 06, 2015

Test Option: QUICK TEST (If necessary i could post a picture)
Model Number: WDC WD1200BEVS-60UST0
Unit Serial Number: WD-WXC408659549
Firmware Number: 01.01A01
Capacity: 120.03 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: PASS
Test Time: 21:26:57, September 06, 2015

Got any ideas why it's not being recognized in the laptop? It happened suddenly apparently (checking the laptop for family) and i can't seem to get my head around it.

Thank you in advance!

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, kahnos!

I'm sorry to hear about your issues with the OEM WD drive. However, since it's properly recognized while plugged externally and the Data LifeGuard's diagnostic tests show that everything is okay with it, I believe the issue must come from the internal connections to the drive. I'd recommend you to contact the laptop manufacturer and ask them if it's possible to switch the SATA connector to the HDD.
I'd suggest you also to try resetting BIOS, you should have this option in the BIOS menu (http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-Your-BIOS). However, keep in mind that it will get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults, so you'd need to know how to re-configure them afterwards.
Another thing worth checking out is the laptop manufacturer's website for any SATA/chipset driver updates for your model.

Hope this helps. Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[kahnos]

Hey there, kahnos!

I'm sorry to hear about your issues with the OEM WD drive. However, since it's properly recognized while plugged externally and the Data LifeGuard's diagnostic tests show that everything is okay with it, I believe the issue must come from the internal connections to the drive. I'd recommend you to contact the laptop manufacturer and ask them if it's possible to switch the SATA connector to the HDD.
I'd suggest you also to try resetting BIOS, you should have this option in the BIOS menu (http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-Your-BIOS). However, keep in mind that it will get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults, so you'd need to know how to re-configure them afterwards.
Another thing worth checking out is the laptop manufacturer's website for any SATA/chipset driver updates for your model.

Hope this helps. Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

Hey, thank you for answering.

I tried resetting the bios to factory settings but nothing changed and there were no new drivers apparently (Also, the laptop doesn't have a functioning HD, installing drivers from a live CD does anything?).

About the SATA connector, it might be a bit difficult considering i live in Venezuela.

Still, if you meant the laptop's SATA interface then wouldn't the other hard drive fail too? And if you meant the unrecognizable HD SATA port then wouldn't the USB fail as well?

Sorry if too many questions, this problem has me a little confused is all.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

So other internal HDDs work from that SATA connector in the laptop, but not the originial OEM drive that came with the laptop.
However, that drive works when connected via SATA-to-USB cable/dock station. I understand your confusion, it does sound pretty weird, @kahnos!
I'd recommend you to try plugging the drive via SATA in another computer and see how it will get detected there.
You should have the OS installed first, before the drivers. I guess you can also check if there is a newer BIOS version for your mobo. If there is, you should upgrade to that first and then try with the WD SATA HDD again.

Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[kahnos]

So other internal HDDs work from that SATA connector in the laptop, but not the originial OEM drive that came with the laptop.
However, that drive works when connected via SATA-to-USB cable/dock station. I understand your confusion, it does sound pretty weird, @kahnos!
I'd recommend you to try plugging the drive via SATA in another computer and see how it will get detected there.
You should have the OS installed first, before the drivers. I guess you can also check if there is a newer BIOS version for your mobo. If there is, you should upgrade to that first and then try with the WD SATA HDD again.

Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

Exactly!

I'll try pluggin it into my desktop later.

In that case i guess i can't really install the drivers without detecting the HD first. However, i'm certain the laptop had a functioning windows 7 with drivers not long ago (half a week?) before this issue started. Could it be a software issue? Seems strange that neither a live CD nor a BIOS detects it.

As for BIOS, there only seems to be one available (Laptop is Compaq Presario F700), i could try installing it again via CD or something, though i would have to buy it.

I'll reply soon, thank you for answering.

 

[kahnos]

So other internal HDDs work from that SATA connector in the laptop, but not the originial OEM drive that came with the laptop.
However, that drive works when connected via SATA-to-USB cable/dock station. I understand your confusion, it does sound pretty weird, @kahnos!
I'd recommend you to try plugging the drive via SATA in another computer and see how it will get detected there.
You should have the OS installed first, before the drivers. I guess you can also check if there is a newer BIOS version for your mobo. If there is, you should upgrade to that first and then try with the WD SATA HDD again.

Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

Ok, i tried plugging it into the desktop and it was instantly recognized, though the Windows installation seemed to be corrupted. I reinstalled windows while maintaining the old files and all seems to be working just fine. Just probably missing driver and windows updates.

Finding that it was working again i plugged it into the laptop, but still nothing, not even in the BIOS.

 

[BadAsAl]

I would update the BIOS as SuperSoph_WD suggested...

In your BIOS there should be a version number. Check the laptop manufacturers website and see if there is a newer version available. Hopefully they provide a method to create a bootable CD that will update the BIOS and you can follow those directions to get your BIOS updated. This happens outside of Windows and does not need even a hard drive in the laptop to perform. Then see if that makes any difference.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi again, @kahnos!

Great job with the troubleshooting so far! As @BadAsAl mentioned, you should try flashing BIOS. However, I'd refer to your motherboard manual or to the laptop manufacturer's technical support for assistance on how to properly perform that. Be careful with the update, if anything goes wrong you could brick the mobo.
Hopefully this will get your original drive to get recognized correctly on the laptop.

Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[kahnos]

Hey, @BadAsAl @SuperSoph_WD

I think flashing the BIOS shows promise and could fix this, however i'm having trouble performing the actual instalation of the update. By the way the laptop is a Compaq Presario F754LA, forgot to mention actual model.

I downloaded the BIOS update (There was only one type available and i downloaded rev. F0A from http://support.hp.com/co-es/drivers/selfservice/Compaq-Presario-F700-Notebook-PC-series/3548233/model/3672498#Z7_3054ICK0KGTE30AQO5O3KA30R1, current is F05), but the HP website instructions don't seem to match my experience (I'm following this guide: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03101724).

There isn't a .bin or .iso, just a .exe

After extracting what i asume to be the softpack, all i get is a .exe called "30EAF0A" and not even by extracting it can i see a .bin or .iso. It would appear as though these updates are meant to ONLY be run from a Windows environment.

Also, in the laptop's BIOS there's no File or Flash System BIOS option. Doesn't seem to be an option for flashing the ROM from the BIOS itself.

Thank you for all the assistance.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi again, kahnos!

I'd suggest you to check this tutorial about flashing BIOS and hopefully it could provide you with some general insights: http://www.howtogeek.com/196916/how-to-check-your-bios-version-and-update-it/
When in doubt, it's probably best to get in touch with the manufacturer's technical support or turn to a professional PC repair service.

Good luck! Hope I was helpful!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[BadAsAl]

An .exe can be run from Windows or DOS. The link provided by SuperSoph_WD has a section on how to create a bootable USB or CD that will let you run the BIOS update executable (.exe) file without needing Windows (or a hard drive for that matter). It is actually the preferred method for many people but I have done both DOS and Windows BIOS updates many times and have had no issues with either.