Question Power blip - - desktop PC no longer recognises internal SSD or HDD ?

[reillycm]

Power blip this morning. Now my Dell XPS 8700 Windows 10 machine will not recognize internal SSD or HDD. Disklayout.txt shows each disk as "status = No Media" & "Size = 0" and "Free = 0". Last line on Disklayout.txt says "There is no media in the device." Computer will not restore itself cause it can not see its internal drives. When I hard-restart the computer PSU rear green light is on, all fans spin (slowly - I think), motherboard light is on. I hear the expected first more "mechanical sounds" when I power up the computer, but I do not hear the expected second more "mechanical sounds". I have always thought the 2 stage mechanical sound was due to the HDD spinning up.

 

[Ralston18]

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, used, refurbished)?

Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

= = = =

My thought is that the power blip may have caused enough of a power loss that files were corrupted.

Run "dism" and "sfc /scannow".

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

Another possiblity is that the power blip damaged the PSU and/or some other components.

Post system specs and try the software fixes as a starting effort.

 

[Vic 40]

@reillycm,

respond, do not just update your first post, there is no notification for that afaik.

 

[reillycm]

Machine was purchased in 2014. Used daily and functions perfectly until today's power blip.

Dell XPS 8700

Purchased with Win 8. Updated to Win 10, at least 5+ year ago. Win Updates happening normally

i7-4770 @ 3.40GHz
24 gig ram.
SSD boot disk is 256g ~70% full.
HDD Data disk is 4 TB ~35% full.
Power supply - Dell OEM Model AC460AM-00. "Total Power 460W max"
** Dell ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment recognizes both SSD and HDD**
** Windows/CMD utilities do not recongize SSD or HDD**
**BIOS recognizes MSATA (SSD boot drive), but not HDD**

dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth:
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.1
Error: 50
DISM does not support servicing Windows PE with the /online option
The DISM log file can be found at ...
Summary of log file
---starting dism.exe session---
host machine info...
dism.exe...
executing command line ...
DISM Provider store: PID=1392 TID=1396 connecting to the provider located at ..
image session has been closed
---ending dism.exe session---

sfc /scannow:
Beginning verification phase of system scan
Verification 100% complete
Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested Operation


*** One thing I notice. When booting, the HDD mechanical noise starts, but does not complete. Typically it makes one low pitch mechanical noise followed by a second higher pitch noise - but the second never happens. And the fans appear to be running slow ***. PSU shows green light on the back. Is there a way to test PSU?

*** I have a Win 10 Recovery USB, but the BIOS does not let me control boot order. So far I am not able to get it to boot off of the recovery USB***

Additional Info:
While doing "system image restore" an internal error came up: STATUS_WAIT_2 (0x80070002))

Also:
3 files were created today on x:\windows\system32. These are:
- FNTCACHE.DAT -> file not readable (font cache?)
- winpeshl.log. -> states recenv.ext launched. PNP initialization succeeded
- DPART.TXT -> SELECT DISK -1, SELECT PART -1, ASSIGN LETTER=D

Reset this PC -> The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again
Startup Repair -> Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC

+++++ Attempting to boot off Win10 Recovery DVD ++++++++++++
Recovery
Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
The operating system couldn't be loaded because the kernel is missing or contains errors
File: \windows\system31\ntoskrnl.exe
Error code: 0xc000a004
You'll need to use recovery tools. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB device) contact your PC admin
None of the F8 Startup Settings worked
***** Then the machine turned off -> no power... blown PSU??? ******
I repeated Recovery DVD -> same response -> then the machine powered off again

 

[Ralston18]

My thought is that the PSU has failed.

Look in Reliability History/Monitor: Increasing numbers of varying errors is a sign of a faltering/failing PSU.

PSU's provide 3 voltages (3.3, 5,and 12) to various system components. So some components may appear to work while others do not.

Is it possible to swap in another known working PSU? Minimal 500 watts, more if available. Be sure to use only the cables that come with any swapped in PSU.

PSUs can be tested but that requires the use of a multi-meter. Also not a full test because the PC is not under load.

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually-test-a-power-supply-with-a-multimeter-2626158

Also:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html

Not with the intent to immediately go out an purchase a new PSU (unless necessary). Read the review to learn more about PSUs and use the calculators to size a replacement PSU.

Is all important data backed up?

 

[reillycm]

Ralston18 - I think you've got it. I performed the multi-meter voltage test on the 24 pin connector and they are way off - not worth sharing the results. I purchased a replacement PSU from your recommendations - 550 watts - ATX size. It arrives on Friday. I will replace and provide update.​

Yes, all HDD (data drive) is backed up to external drive. SSD (apps) is probably not. Now that I'm thinking about it, I have data saved to my desktop, which is probably on the SSD. I'm seeing where some improvements can be made.

I sure appreciate your assistance. Again, I will reply back after swapping out the PSU. I'm hopeful Windows is not corrupt. I have a working W10 laptop so I can probably chase down any further recover tools needed.

Thank you, CMR

 

[DaleH]

Ralston18 - I think you've got it. I performed the multi-meter voltage test on the 24 pin connector and they are way off - not worth sharing the results. I purchased a replacement PSU from your recommendations - 550 watts - ATX size. It arrives on Friday. I will replace and provide update.​

Yes, all HDD (data drive) is backed up to external drive. SSD (apps) is probably not. Now that I'm thinking about it, I have data saved to my desktop, which is probably on the SSD. I'm seeing where some improvements can be made.

I sure appreciate your assistance. Again, I will reply back after swapping out the PSU. I'm hopeful Windows is not corrupt. I have a working W10 laptop so I can probably chase down any further recover tools needed.

Thank you, CMR

The specs on the voltage are +- 10%

 

[reillycm]

Okay - installed beautiful new 550w PSU, all cables are installed and locked. Unfortunately I am getting the same results. To my surprise - appears the replacement PSU made no difference.

dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth: --> unsuccessful
sfc /scannow: --> (san runs, but can not fix) --> unsuccessful

Dell ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment recognizes both SSD and HDD
Windows/CMD utilities do not recongize SSD or HDD
BIOS recognizes MSATA (SSD boot drive), but not HDD

Given PSU is replaced (and all connections are tight), do you think the motherboard is damaged/destroyed? Any suggestions how to find a compatible replacement motherboard and CPU?

Any last ideas?

I've purchased external MSATA & HDD enclosures to hopefully access data.