Can't start Windows Vista (hard drive isn't recognized?)

N

newbie

New Member
Hi.

Suddenly, my computer freezed (just like it has been doing for some time now).
When I restarted it, the computer asked for the Vista DVD, so that it could repair some files (I couldn't even boot into Safe Mode). I put the DVD inside the drive, and choose the "Repair your computer" option, but it reports that no Vista installation is found...

I then boot into the Rescue and Recovery environment (that is a Thinkpad suite, located in another partition of the disk) to see what's going on.
The System Information detects everything except the Hard Drive (it reports "Not Available" for the fields "Hard disk free space" and "Hard disk capacity"). I also can't see the harddisk in the option to backup the files to a pen (the pen is recognized, though).
Just to be sure, I run PC Doctor and my hard disk passes all tests.

What's going on? How can I fix this? Help. :(

My harddisk is: hitachi hts722020k9sa00 fde ata device
 

My Computer

System One

Check in BIOS and let us know if the hard drive is detected.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
I think it isn't. I enter in the Startup -> Boot section. Although my hard disk name appears correctly, in the list, there's no plus (+) sign next to it...
 

My Computer

System One

Try and connect the hard drive onto a different port and see if it makes any difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
Yes you will need to open the computer and then remove the hard drive data cable and then connect it to a different port.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
Before making the port swap, I tried using the Vista Retail DVD one more time, just to be sure.

I chose the "Repair your computer" option and selected "Next", even though, no hard drive appeared in the list. Luckily, it worked, anyway. Weird.

All is well, now. Thanks for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

Your Welcome. I m glad that its working now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq
    CPU
    intel core 2 duo T 5550 @ 1.83 MHz
    Motherboard
    intel 965 chipset family
    Memory
    2 GB DDR 2 SD RAM @ 667 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board upto 358 MB RAM
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15"
    Hard Drives
    160 GB WDC
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