Dell Computer Nightmare ::: - GoFuckYourself.com

DeanCapture · 07-23-2008, 06:01 PM

Anybody here had any issues installing an internal hard drive into a Dell computer w/Vista? I've done it before in other computers and have never had this much problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Dell XPS 420 Quad Core and I'm trying to install an additional internal hard drive - a Seagate 1TB SATA. I've installed the hard drive, switched the BIOS to recognize the drive and although the drive is showing up the device manager, it is not showing up when I go to MY COMPUTER. When I right click "properties" in the device manager, it says that the drive is working properly.

When I look under "Computer Management", I see my drive there. But when I right click to format it, it's all greyed out and I can't do anything with it.

I tried to install a Western Digital 1 TB drive this morning and had the same problem. I thought the drive was fucked so I took it back and got this one.

Any thoughts?

WiredGuy · 07-23-2008, 06:02 PM

This sounds more of a Vista issue than a Dell or Western Digital problem to me.
WG

DeanCapture · 07-23-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

This sounds more of a Vista issue than a Dell or Western Digital problem to me.
WG

You may be right...I'm new to Vista. Never had an issue like this with XP

WiredGuy · 07-23-2008, 06:04 PM

Do you have a spare PC you can install the HD into that isn't Vista based to test it?
WG

DeanCapture · 07-23-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

Do you have a spare PC you can install the HD into that isn't Vista based to test it?
WG

Yes - I'll try that now!

Fap · 07-23-2008, 06:07 PM

whatever happened to the dell kid

baddog · 07-23-2008, 06:07 PM

Maybe partition it and just put XP boot up on it to get it started? XP may not know what to do with the Vista.

Sosa · 07-23-2008, 06:27 PM

Does vista maybe need a driver for that size of drive?

DeanCapture · 07-23-2008, 06:57 PM

Well apparently the drive must be partitioned and formatted before it shows up in "my computer". The only way to do that is to load up the wizard software that came with the drive. I was having issues getting the software from the CD so I went to their site and downloaded it there and after running the wizard - the drive is now installed. Shit - I've wasted half a day on this project. I need to stick to taking pictures and hire someone to do this computer crap for me

Deej · 07-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanCapture

Well apparently the drive must be partitioned and formatted before it shows up in "my computer". The only way to do that is to load up the wizard software that came with the drive. I was having issues getting the software from the CD so I went to their site and downloaded it there and after running the wizard - the drive is now installed. Shit - I've wasted half a day on this project. I need to stick to taking pictures and hire someone to do this computer crap for me

I only require redbull and an occasional peek at the content

tony286 · 07-23-2008, 07:13 PM

sticky says vista is great lol

DeanCapture · 07-23-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony404

sticky says vista is great lol

I'm sure it is....just a bit of a learning curve on my end

DirtyDave · 07-23-2008, 07:49 PM

Did you check to see if there is an update to the BIOS of your Dell?

96ukssob · 07-23-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanCapture

Anybody here had any issues installing an internal hard drive into a Dell computer w/Vista? I've done it before in other computers and have never had this much problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a Dell XPS 420 Quad Core and I'm trying to install an additional internal hard drive - a Seagate 1TB SATA. I've installed the hard drive, switched the BIOS to recognize the drive and although the drive is showing up the device manager, it is not showing up when I go to MY COMPUTER. When I right click "properties" in the device manager, it says that the drive is working properly.

When I look under "Computer Management", I see my drive there. But when I right click to format it, it's all greyed out and I can't do anything with it.

I tried to install a Western Digital 1 TB drive this morning and had the same problem. I thought the drive was fucked so I took it back and got this one.

Any thoughts?

not trying to make you sound like a cock, but are you sure your computer can handle a SATA drive? you might only be able to hook up IDE drives

if not, its probalby an issue with Vista, not dell. check the configuration of the system to make sure it allows for expansion drives. my sony only allows for 1 more drive even though i can fit 3 more in

Spunky · 07-23-2008, 08:03 PM

I'm sure Habib in New Deli might help you out ;)

The Truth Hurts · 07-23-2008, 09:18 PM

nevermind..

NETbilling · 07-23-2008, 11:30 PM

I thought everyone uses a Mac now?

venus · 07-24-2008, 12:11 AM

actually all you had to do was go to "administrative tols -> computer management -> disk management"
then right click on the disk and choose format
would have taken you only a few minutes

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanCapture

Well apparently the drive must be partitioned and formatted before it shows up in "my computer". The only way to do that is to load up the wizard software that came with the drive. I was having issues getting the software from the CD so I went to their site and downloaded it there and after running the wizard - the drive is now installed. Shit - I've wasted half a day on this project. I need to stick to taking pictures and hire someone to do this computer crap for me

DeanCapture · 07-24-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by venus

actually all you had to do was go to "administrative tols -> computer management -> disk management"
then right click on the disk and choose format
would have taken you only a few minutes

If only it were that easy. I found the drive in "disk management" but the format options were greyed out...wouldn't let me choose format. We're all good now though - thanks for all your comments!

rowan · 07-24-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanCapture

If only it were that easy. I found the drive in "disk management" but the format options were greyed out...wouldn't let me choose format. We're all good now though - thanks for all your comments!

Not sure how Vista does it, but with XP you have to right click a slightly different area in disk manager (the one that lists media, eg "Disk 0") in order to partition the drive, *then* you're able to format. It's not an intuitive system at all, you'd think Mickeysoft would offer to partition the drive if you wanted to format it...

rowan · 07-24-2008, 01:02 AM

BTW - now I know why the Dell supplied drives in my server come pre partitioned and pre formatted in NTFS format! OEM drives are usually completely blank, absolutely no formatting or partitioning or any data on them.

munki · 07-24-2008, 01:03 AM

I've got the same XPS 420 setup and swap drives in and out all the time np...

Right Click My Computer > Manage

Slide down to Disk Management and you should see all active and inactive drives. Set inactive drives to active through a right click, format and go...

Hit me on ICQ if you are still have probs...

brandonstills · 07-24-2008, 01:08 AM

If you can see it in the Device Manager but not under My Computer that sounds like it hasn't been formatted.

RedShoe · 07-24-2008, 01:13 AM

should have taken it to the person that built it for you.

07-23-2008, 06:01 PM	#1
DeanCapture Haters & Trolls SUCK! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 9,275	Dell Computer Nightmare ::: Anybody here had any issues installing an internal hard drive into a Dell computer w/Vista? I've done it before in other computers and have never had this much problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have a Dell XPS 420 Quad Core and I'm trying to install an additional internal hard drive - a Seagate 1TB SATA. I've installed the hard drive, switched the BIOS to recognize the drive and although the drive is showing up the device manager, it is not showing up when I go to MY COMPUTER. When I right click "properties" in the device manager, it says that the drive is working properly. When I look under "Computer Management", I see my drive there. But when I right click to format it, it's all greyed out and I can't do anything with it. I tried to install a Western Digital 1 TB drive this morning and had the same problem. I thought the drive was fucked so I took it back and got this one. Any thoughts? __________________ Twitter: @DeanCapture Instagram: @TheDeanCapture DeanCapture "at" Gmail.com

07-23-2008, 06:02 PM	#2
WiredGuy Pounding Googlebot Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 34,487	This sounds more of a Vista issue than a Dell or Western Digital problem to me. WG __________________ I play with Google.

07-23-2008, 06:04 PM	#4
WiredGuy Pounding Googlebot Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 34,487	Do you have a spare PC you can install the HD into that isn't Vista based to test it? WG __________________ I play with Google.

07-23-2008, 06:57 PM	#9
DeanCapture Haters & Trolls SUCK! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 9,275	Well apparently the drive must be partitioned and formatted before it shows up in "my computer". The only way to do that is to load up the wizard software that came with the drive. I was having issues getting the software from the CD so I went to their site and downloaded it there and after running the wizard - the drive is now installed. Shit - I've wasted half a day on this project. I need to stick to taking pictures and hire someone to do this computer crap for me __________________ Twitter: @DeanCapture Instagram: @TheDeanCapture DeanCapture "at" Gmail.com

07-23-2008, 07:49 PM	#13
DirtyDave Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: TX Posts: 198	Did you check to see if there is an update to the BIOS of your Dell? __________________ DelanyDecolleur.com :: Satin and Nylon Nude Glamour Model

07-23-2008, 06:07 PM	#6
Fap Just Du It Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 12,094	whatever happened to the dell kid

07-23-2008, 06:07 PM	#7
baddog So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: the beach, SoCal Posts: 107,089	Maybe partition it and just put XP boot up on it to get it started? XP may not know what to do with the Vista.

07-23-2008, 06:27 PM	#8
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	Does vista maybe need a driver for that size of drive?

07-23-2008, 07:13 PM	#11
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	sticky says vista is great lol

07-23-2008, 08:03 PM	#15
Spunky I need a beer Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ♠ Toiletville ♠ Posts: 133,949	I'm sure Habib in New Deli might help you out ;) __________________ *YOUR INFORMATION HERE*

07-23-2008, 09:18 PM	#16
The Truth Hurts Zph7YXfjMhg Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In Your Skull Posts: 15,349	nevermind..

07-23-2008, 11:30 PM	#17
NETbilling Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 8,588	I thought everyone uses a Mac now? __________________ Mitch Farber CEO - NETbilling, Inc. Email / Phone: 888-357-8166 / 661-252-2456 Transaction processing & 24/7 call center services with exceptional rates and flexibility, since 1998!

07-24-2008, 01:02 AM	#21
rowan Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 17,393	BTW - now I know why the Dell supplied drives in my server come pre partitioned and pre formatted in NTFS format! OEM drives are usually completely blank, absolutely no formatting or partitioning or any data on them.

07-24-2008, 01:03 AM	#22
munki Do Fun Shit. Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OC Posts: 13,393	I've got the same XPS 420 setup and swap drives in and out all the time np... Right Click My Computer > Manage Slide down to Disk Management and you should see all active and inactive drives. Set inactive drives to active through a right click, format and go... Hit me on ICQ if you are still have probs... __________________ “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” -Oscar Wilde

07-24-2008, 01:08 AM	#23
brandonstills Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,964	If you can see it in the Device Manager but not under My Computer that sounds like it hasn't been formatted. __________________ Brandon Stills Industry and programming veteran [email protected] \| skype: brandonstills \| ICQ #495-171-318

07-24-2008, 01:13 AM	#24
RedShoe 赤い靴 call me 202-456-1111 Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: The Valley Posts: 14,831	should have taken it to the person that built it for you. __________________ SPECIALTY COSTUMES • PROPS • FX Superheroes • Monsters • Robots PM for details For any manufacturing needs. Adult or otherwise. aka BonsHigh on Insta Bonsai weed plants