Hi
I have a Toshiba Satellite 1100 which isn't detecting the hard drive. It isn't in the BIOS - just says Hard Disks: None. In POST it attempts to Network Boot as it can't find hard drive, fails on that and just loops. I can boot to a Disk Commander CD and see all the files and the data is ok - lots of filechk folders though so I suspected the hard drive had a problem. I took the HDD out and connected to a PC with an adapter. Wouldn't boot on there either. So backed up, formatted and installed XP on it. Put back in the laptop and have exactly the same problem - wont boot and gets stuck in the loop. Suspect main board? IDE controller? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Al

Boot your laptop from the XP CD and then install the OS on the hard drive.

If you can read the data from the hard drive it means it isn't toasted. To be sure you can download from the makers webpage the diagnostic utility.

GooD LucK!

Hi
Thanks for your response. The trouble is that the hard drive isn't detected in the BIOS and there is no auto detect option. It therefore isn't detected in post and I've tried booting to the XP disc to repair or reinstall but the HDD still isn't detected. The only times have seen drive is when I've booted to Winternals Disk Commander and when I put the drive in another machine.
Thanks for your help
Al

Also, if I run FDISK (the drive is FAT32) with the HDD in the laptop - no fixed disks present. Run it in another machine - can see the partition no problem
Al

Check in BIOS to see if you have any option to enable/disable IDE devices (normal desktops have this option)

Try another IDE cable. Is the hard drive geting power while in the laptop?

The good news is that your drive is OK, the bad news is that the IDE controler might be damaged. Hopely thers just a connection problem.

Hi there
Thanks for your response. Yeah it's good that the drive is OK. There's no option in the BIOS setup to enable IDE. Just Hard disks: None. It is getting power as I can see it when I boot to Winternals, so the connection must be OK as well.

Can you explain exactly what the IDE controller does? I'm wondering if there is any difference in it's function between detecting the HDD in POST and detecting the HDD when you have booted to an all-in-one boot cd. I guess there isn't any difference. So this makes me suspect the BIOS chip. I've updated the BIOS also. Made no difference.
Thanks in advance
Al

Do you know where I can get hold of a service manual for this Toshiba Satellite 1100 Z6?

I don't think you are able to get your hands on a service manual. :(

Did this hard drive ever worked in this PC??
Are you sure you jumpered it corectly? Jumper it as Master (NOT Cable Select)

In BIOS set is as Auto (with LBA). If that doesn't wotk, try to manualy set it's specs acording to the info you should find on the hdd makers webpage.

I have a toshiba satellite 1100 and am trying to upgrade the hard drive. Could you please tell me how you got access to your hard drive, as i have removed all the screws on the back and it still won't come apart?

Thanks

Glyn

Glyn:
Go to the following excellant site for a download that will walk you thru a disassembly with pictures.
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/download.php?fileid=10126

Let me know how you make out with the upgrade as I am considering the same.

Wayne

Al

What is the computer make and model that this HD works with?

Is it another toshiba, or IBM, Dell etc?????