"Ron Patterson" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the reply Smiles -

I have tried 2 brand new drives -one a 320 Gb Western Digital SATA and the
other a 160 Gb Seagate SATA.
It is too hard for me to believe both brand new drives are faulty.

Computer boots up fine in either the IDE or SATA drives currently in it.
Neither of the new drives - which are blank - will boot past the Intel
screen - I can not even access the BIOS
- system freezes on Intel screen. - but I can feel the new drive
spinning.
Same problem even when I remove the existing drives and all peripherals.

It has me baffled - it is as if it will only boot past the Intel screen
when there is a drive installed with an operating system on it.

Thinking maybe reflash chip set - or new mother board?

Ron




"Smiles" wrote in message
...

Ron Patterson wrote:
I know this may not be the proper place for this question. Perhaps if
no
one here can field it, you can refer me to the appropriate newsgroup.

Computer currently dual hard drive - one IDE and one SATA - both running
Win
XP. Boots easily into either one. No problem.
Tried to install a new Seagate SATA drive as a third drive to run Win7.
Hooked up new drive and computer will not boot past the Intel Screen
(click
F2 to enter BIOS) - freezes here - can not even enter BIOS.

Disconnect all other drives and peripherals and connect new SATA using
same
ports and cables as other SATA. Same problem.

Drive must be defective? Returned drive and purchased Western Digital
drive. Same exact problem. Reinstall 2 old drives - no problem -
either
will boot.

Apparently for some reason this computer will not boot past the Intel
screen
& and can not access BIOS if a hard drive is connected without an
operating
system?

Otherwise all is fine.

Any ideas or referrals?

Ron Patterson



is the drive to big for your system
are you booting from each drive or having just the files seperately
did the store check the drive for you



1. Have you tried a different SATA cable (or the cable from the original
SATA drive?) Different power connector?

2. Is the SATA controller on the motherboard or is it a PCI added card?

3. Make and model of the computer?

4. Are you using a standard SATA power connector from the power supply or
using a SATA adapter from the older 4 wire Molex off the power supply?