Here is the events that lead up to BIOS not seeing my HDD. I had just done a fresh install of windows XP home edition. After I had it installed and running, I replaced my 256x2 RAM with 2 - 1GB RAM. Cross check to make sure it was the correct RAM already. Got Windows XP booted ok. Shut the computer down for the night. The next morning I boot the computer and it hangs on the TOSHIBA screen before windows starts to load. I give it a cntl+alt+del to reboot. Does the same thing and I give it another cntl+alt+del. This time it boots to Disk Read Error Press cntl+alt+del to reboot. I get the same screen over and over. I stick in my Windows XP Installation disk to get to the Recovery Console. I hit "r" and the I get something along the lines of "Setup cannot detect HDD." I reboot and enter BIOS and it confirms that it can no longer see the HDD. I don't have access to a floppy drive. I cannot get to the command prompt from recovery console. I have seen something about bootdisk.com, but I don't quite understand if that helps me at all. Anybody have a solution???

By the way:
Toshiba Satellite P25-S520
Windows XP Home Edition (lol)
BIOS version 1.8

I can give more info if needed.

What brand is your HD? It may have failed. Here is a link for diagnostic tools HD by brand.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic28744.html

Did you try and remove the new RAM and replace it with the good, old RAM. New RAM could be bad. When I make a change and have problems , I always try the old, good configuration first.

I did swap the RAM after the problem had started. Nothing changed. I noticed that when I entered BIOS the system did see the new RAM. So I think that is good. I hate to sound like a complete computer noob, but I see no HDD manufacturer on the physical drive, and nothing on Toshiba's support page.


Toshiba's Support Page For My Computer

try re-seating the HDD

My Toshiba Laptop came with a Toshiba 80GB HD.

Toshiba does not provide diagnostic tools for hard drives, currently.

Hard Disk Drives and Optical Disk Drives purchased as part of a complete system are warranted by the system OEM. 2.5" Hard Disk Drive ("HDD") products purchased in the United States and Canada from Toshiba authorized distributors carry a 3-year limited warranty.

Download Ultimate Boot CD UBCD and burn it as an iso CD. It has several HD tools included. It boots off the CD into RAM so it does't need a funtional HD to run correctly.

I download UBD and got it burnt and loaded. Is there a specific app that I should be using in my situation? Toshiba was unable to tell me the maker of my hard drive when I called tech support. They did however give me another 800 number to call, to find out. They were not open last night when I called and I have not had time today to call. I really have no experience with this type of problem so any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

Try using HDAT2, SMARTUDM or Salvation HDD Scan and Repair to see if it can locate test and repair your HD.

Just got off the phone with Toshiba and have the maker of my HDD. I guess it is the Fijitsu Travelstar 80Gb. I tried the Salvation program and it did not see my HDD. I will try the others you mentioned. Since I know the maker is there any others you would recommend? Thanks for the help Gig.

Unfortunately if your BIOS can not see your HDD then it is extremely unlikely that any tool on the UBCD will be able to detect it either.

One or more of the following things could've happened:

1. Your HDD died
2. Your HDD's MBR has become corrupted.
3. Your HDD isn't properly connected.
4. Your disk controller has failed or is malfunctioning.
5. You changed something in the BIOS.
6. Your BIOS has become corrupted.

You can continue to run the tests from the UBCD but I don't hold much hope for those. I would do the following in order:

1. Remove the HDD and reseat it. Make sure that the IDE adapter is properly attached.
2. If possible, connect the drive to another computer and see if it recognizes it.
3. If (2) is not possible, reset your BIOS to factory defaults.
4. Update your BIOS.

The "Diagnostic Tool (Fujitsu)" is on UBCD. You can also try one from this website www.fujitsu.com but I think your HD is bad and will need replacement.

This might sound really dumb and obvious, but have you double checked that you didn't do anything during the ram upgrade? Maybe the HDD connector was already somewhat loose and you managed to unplug it? This is really unlikely given most laptop designs but I guess it's worth a shot. Also, just to double check that before upgrading the computer you didn't drag your feet around on deep-pile carpet for about half an hour and then go and touch the bare computer components without expelling any static from your body first?

GL

yeah, make sure you seat all connection, mobo and HDD. Try a new socket on the mobo and a new power plug too. Maybe even swap it with a second HDD if you have one.

Somethin is probably lose from messing with the ram.

Well.....I have officially "given up". I found a hard drive on newegg for $40. I think I will try it out and I am guessing that it will solve my problem. The way the board is designed it is impossible for the HDD cord to be loose because there is no cord. I did a re-tear down and rebuild last night moving at a snails pace to make sure everything was tight and plugged in correct and got the same result. I didn't shock the hardware, I don't think. We have hardwood floors in the kitchen and that's the only place I worked on it. Thanks for all the help/suggestions/etc.

how can there be now sata cable? Is this a laptop?

lol yeah its a labtop

yeah, not much to check there. That sucks. You can try to get an ide/sata to usb adapeter to get data off of it, but that won't work if the drive is dead.

dude, that laptop is older than my girlfriend, why not just get a new one?

The feds are officially monitoring your online activities now.....