Newly bought used computer can't detect hard drive after a day of use

[htsula]

I recently bought a used dell optiplex and added a GPU to it. After using it for about a day it suddenly froze. I restarted it and it booted to bios and said no hard drive found. I checked the cables to the HDD and they were plugged in. I unplugged and replugged them and rebooted but again it didn't detect the HDD. I can feel it spinning but it doesn't work.

 

[popatim]

If the optical drive is detected int he bios, unplug the sata cable from the back of it and plug it into the HDD. Do not change the port that it's plugged into on the motherbd in case the one the HDD is plugged into is bad.

 

[The Paladin]

remove the GPU, and reboot it, if it boots properly then your video card is drawing too much power ie: your psu is not sufficient for that video card to be added to your system

 

[ArtPog]

I recently bought a used dell optiplex and added a GPU to it. After using it for about a day it suddenly froze. I restarted it and it booted to bios and said no hard drive found. I checked the cables to the HDD and they were plugged in. I unplugged and replugged them and rebooted but again it didn't detect the HDD. I can feel it spinning but it doesn't work.

The FIRST thing you have to do; the very FIRST thing...is to install the problem HDD in the working PC you obviously have. If you can install the HDD internally in the PC that's fine. (Should the PC not boot while the problem HDD is installed internally in the system, that's a strong indication you're dealing with a DEFECTIVE HDD.) If the system detects the HDD, then use a HDD diagnostic program (preferably obtained from the disk's manufacturer or a diagnostic program of your choice) to test the drive.

You can also try connecting the problem HDD as a USB external device to the working PC and determine if the system detects the drive through that means. If so, follow the above procedure.

UNDERSTAND THAT IN PROBLEMS OF THE KIND YOU'RE EXPERIENCING, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS FIRST ATTEMPT TO TEST THE DRIVE IF POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE IF IT'S DEFECTIVE. SO YOU DON'T WASTE TIME UNDERTAKING USELESS/UNNECESSARY TROUBLESHOOTING. IF YOU DETERMINE THE DRIVE IS DEFECTIVE THEN YOU CAN RETURN THE PC FOR EXCHANGE OR REFUND.