Home > Articles > Networking > Storage

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Troubleshooting ATA/IDE Hard Disks

Most computers, whether they’re desktop or notebook, use ATA/IDE hard disk drives as their primary storage. Figure 3.1 shows typical examples of both varieties.

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.1 ATA/IDE notebook (left) and desktop (right) hard disk drives.

What causes an existing ATA/IDE hard disk to "disappear" from the system so you can’t boot from it or access data on it? Any of the following:

  • The hard disk is not connected to power or the power cable is loose. If the hard disk doesn’t have a reliable connection to power, it never spins up and is never detected by your system. During installation of the drive, be sure to firmly connect the drive to a power cable coming from the power supply. If you use a Y-splitter or power cable extender, be sure the splitter or extender is in good condition and is firmly connected to the power cable and to the drive. Take a good look at Figure 3.2 later in this chapter to see the right way to connect the power cable.

  • The hard disk is not properly connected to the ATA/IDE host adapter on the motherboard or add-on card. If the hard disk isn’t properly connected to the interface, it won’t receive the command to spin up when the computer is turned on, and your system won’t boot. The 80-wire cables used by recent hard disks are keyed (see Figure 3.4) to prevent reversed connections, but 40-pin cables and some older systems don’t support keying, making it possible for the cable to be installed upside down at either the host adapter or drive end.

  • Damage has occurred to the signal cable or power cable. Replace cables that have creases across the wires, nicks, cuts or tears, or have cracked or loose connectors.

If you’re installing a new ATA/IDE hard disk but you’re unable to prepare it for use, you can also have problems with power and data cables. Plus, two other possible causes join the list:

  • The hard disk could be configured as "Not present" or "none" in the system BIOS. The drive should be configured using the Auto setting to enable the drive to report its configuration to the system.

  • The drive is not jumpered correctly. The older 40-wire cables require that one drive be jumpered as master and the other as slave; some brands of drives don’t use jumpers if only one drive is on the cable. On the other hand, 80-wire cables use cable select jumpers for both drives, using the position of the drive on the cable to determine which drive is the primary (master) and which the secondary (slave) drive. Now that you know what can cause your system to have problems recognizing your existing or newly installed ATA/IDE hard disk, it’s time to learn how to fix these problems.

Checking the Hard Disk Connection to the Power Supply

Virtually every ATA/IDE desktop hard disk drive uses a 4-pin Molex power connector. The same power connector, by the way, is also used by ATA/IDE optical drives (CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD rewritable, and so forth), and a small version is used by some types of ATA/IDE removable-media drives and by floppy drives. If the power connection is not connected to a matching lead from the system’s power supply, the computer will never "see" your hard disk.

Sometimes it’s necessary to connect a Y-splitter to the end of a single power cable to provide power to two hard disk drives or a hard disk and an optical drive (see Figure 3.2). A Y-splitter that’s not well made (thin-gauge wires, not properly insulated) can prevent one or both drives from receiving power.

Figure 3.2

Figure 3.2 A typical ATA/IDE hard drive attached to a Y-splitter power cable before installation into a system.

Whether you connect the hard disk directly to a power supply lead or use an extender or splitter, it takes a bit of force to make a solid connection with the Molex connectors shown in Figure 3.2; make sure the drive is attached solidly to the power cable.

Remember: If your hard disk doesn’t receive enough power, it won’t spin, and your computer won’t know it’s there.

Checking the Drive and Host Adapter Connection to the Data Cable

The second suspect in the "case of the disappearing hard disk" is the data cable. On a desktop computer, the connection between an ATA/IDE host adapter and the drive is made with a 40-pin cable (the cable itself can have 40 or 80 wires, as shown in Figure 3.4). If the cable is not connected correctly to either the host adapter or the drive, the drive will not be detected and cannot be used.

The contrasting-colored markings on the cable indicate pin 1; line up this side of the cable with pin 1 on the drive and the host adapter. In almost all cases, the location of pin 1 is next to the power connector (see Figure 3.3). Most drives also indicate the location of pin 1 on the bottom or rear of the drive.

Figure 3.3

Figure 3.3 Data cable connections to a typical ATA/IDE drive. Pin 1 should be next to the power connector.

What’s to prevent you from plugging in the cable upside down? A few years ago, alas, the answer was "nothing!" A lot of novice hard disk installers goofed up and turned the cable upside down at either the hard disk or the host adapter connection on the motherboard or add-on card. An upside-down cable prevents the PC from sending the spin-up command to the hard disk, and that prevents the hard disk from being recognized. As shown in Figure 3.4, 40-pin cables are typically not keyed, making incorrect installation all too easy.

Figure 3.4

Figure 3.4 An 80-wire keyed ATA/IDE data cable compared to a 40-wire unkeyed ATA/IDE data cable.

If you use 80-wire cables (as you should with today’s hard disks), don’t worry. As Figure 3.4 shows, they’re keyed with a projection on one side of the cable (and sometimes a blocked hole for pin 20) to prevent incorrect installation.

A data cable is useless unless it’s connected to a host adapter. The ATA/IDE host adapter is usually on the motherboard. Figure 3.5 shows how to attach an 80-wire cable to the host adapter. Note the markings for pin 1 on the motherboard and how the keyed cable prevents incorrect installation. There are usually two ATA/IDE host adapters, and some computers have more. Use the lowest-numbered host adapter for your system hard disk.

Figure 3.5

Figure 3.5 An 80-wire ATA/IDE cable properly attached to the host adapter on the motherboard.

Configuring ATA/IDE Drive Jumpers

When you took the PC tour that’s the highlight of Chapter 1, you might have been surprised to discover that an ATA/IDE cable can support two drives. When you install a new ATA/IDE hard disk or other drive, how does the computer tell which drive is which?

Unlike a floppy drive cable, which uses a twist at the end of the cable to indicate drive A: and drive B:, an ATA/IDE cable is a straight-through cable. An ATA/IDE drive is configured as master or slave with jumper blocks on the rear or bottom of the drive. The position of the jumper blocks and the type of cable used determines which drive is the primary (master) and which the secondary (slave) drive. These jumpers are used in the same way on any ATA/IDE device, including optical and removable-media drives.

ATA/IDE drives have three basic configurations that can be selected with jumper blocks (see Figure 3.6):

  • Master (MA)

  • Slave (SL)

  • Cable Select (CS, CSEL)

Figure 3.6 shows the most common jumper location and the various jumpering options supported on a typical hard disk.

Figure 3.6

Figure 3.6 The jumper pins and jumpering options available for Western Digital hard disks.

Other brands of hard disks use slightly different jumper block configurations; be sure to follow the labeling or instructions for the particular hard disk you are installing or troubleshooting.

Different jumper settings are recommended for 40-wire and 80-wire ATA/IDE data cables. Table 3.2 helps you figure it out.

Table 3.2 Correct Jumper Settings for a New ATA Drive Installation

Cable Type

Drive Installed As

How to Jumper

Which Cable Connector to Use

Jumper Original Drive As

80-wire

Slave

Cable Select or Slave

Gray connector (middle of cable)

Cable Select or Master1

 

Only drive on cable

Cable Select, Master, or single drive1

Black connector (end of cable)

N/A

 

Master

Cable Select or Master1

Black connector (end of cable)

Cable Select or Slave1

40-wire

Slave

Slave

Either

Master

 

Only drive on cable

Master or single drive (check drive manufacturer recommendation)

Either

N/A

 

Master

Master

Either

Slave


1. With 80-wire cables, we recommend you try Cable Select first. If you have problems with drive recognition, use Master or Slave settings as shown in the table. Drive recognition issues are more likely if you are mixing different brands of drives on the same cable.

Here’s how to apply these settings when you install a new hard disk or other ATA/IDE device:

  • Master/slave—A drive jumpered as master will be the primary drive on the cable; if you have your hard disk and optical drive on the same cable, the hard drive should be jumpered as master, and the cable should be plugged into IDE connector number 1 on the motherboard.

  • Slave—A drive jumpered as slave will be the secondary drive on the cable. If you have your hard disk and optical drive on the same cable, the optical drive should be jumpered as slave.

  • Cable select—The position of the drive on the cable determines which drive is master and which is slave; Cable Select requires an 80-wire Ultra ATA cable. Some computer vendors use specially designed 40-wire cables that support Cable Select. Note that you can also use Master and Slave settings with 80-wire cables.

Checking a Laptop/Notebook’s Hard Disk Power/Data Connection

We mentioned earlier in this chapter that a laptop or notebook computer’s 2.5-inch hard disk drive uses a single 44-pin connection for power and data. The hard disk might plug into a fixed power/data connector or a flexible cable.

If you actually use your laptop or notebook as a portable computer and move it around frequently, the hard disk’s connection to the notebook’s motherboard could become loose, causing the hard disk not to be recognized at startup.

If the hard disk is accessed through a removable cover on the bottom of your portable computer, you can follow this procedure to check the connection:

  1. Shut down your computer.

  2. Unplug it.

  3. Turn over your computer.

  4. Use a small screwdriver to remove the retaining screw holding the cover and the hard disk in place. Figure 3.7 shows the relationship of the retaining screw and the hard disk as seen from the hard disk drive bay.

  5. Figure 3.7

    Figure 3.7 Detail view of a 2.5-inch ATA/IDE hard disk and its retaining screw.

  6. Slide the hard disk out of the computer.

  7. Reinsert the hard disk, making sure it connects tightly to the host adapter power/signal connector in the drive bay. Figure 3.8 shows a top view of the hard disk, retaining lug, and host adapter connector.

  8. Figure 3.8

    Figure 3.8 Reinserting a portable computer’s hard disk into the drive bay and host adapter.

  9. Close the access cover.

  10. Reinsert the retaining screw.

If you need to install a replacement hard disk in a portable computer, see "Upgrading a Portable Hard Disk," this chapter, for complete instructions.

If the hard disk cannot be accessed from the bottom or side of your portable computer, check the manual or the manufacturer’s website to learn how to check the hard disk connection. You might need to remove the keyboard or other components to get to the hard disk.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020