HELP! Hitachi TravelStar 40G no longer recongized on X41

[ag2014]

Hello everyone. I recently acquired an X41 tablet from a computer store. I saw it had no HDD, so I installed a TravelStar 1.8 inch 40 GB 4200 rpm hard drive for the X41. Since that ThinkPad also didn't came with the HD cover, I just put the HDD inside. After installing Windows XP, I was installing drivers when all of the sudden, it appears to have froze. I turned off the X41 and found it the HDD was sort of detached from the X41. Here is what I noticed when I turned it back on:

The HDD light lit up and stayed lit the whole time.
The BIOS no longer recognizes the HDD!
The HDD wasn't listed on the BIOS as well.

I used an external hard drive connector and connected to another computer, and it worked fine.
All I know is that the BIOS was last updated in 2006, and that the embedded controller version is 1.02. Please, I need as much help as possible. The HDD still works on another computer. I see no reason on why this is happening to me. So anyways, what is wrong, and how or what do I need to do to fix it? I would greatly appreciate any help I can get! Thanks.

[BillMorrow]

hello and welcome to the forum..

the X41 uses a PATA hard drive..
it SHOULD stay plugged into the X41 unless it is jolted or experiences some sort of rough handling..
also, i believe the X41 uses a 2.5 inch hard drive not a 1.8 inch but i could be wrong in that..

if the drive is seen in another computer it kind of points to a problem with the X41..
being a PATA drive, if the drive was removed while the system was on it might have caused some sort of damage to the internal controller as they are not made to be hot swapped in and out of the drive bay..

have you inspected the socket in the X41 drive bay..?

have you entered the BIOS and run any self tests there..?

if you eventually need a HDD caddy and HDD door the caddy might be sourced from another forum member or from NewMode US, one of the forum supporters in the banner above..

also, other forum members might have some additional hints for you..

[ag2014]

The HDD was accidentally detached without me knowing it. And when I checked the socket, it was firm, and not loose. I haven't ran any self tests on my X41T. Is there a way to do that in the BIOS? So, when you mentioned that it might've caused damage to the internal controller, does that mean I'll have to replace the whole motherboard?

[BillMorrow]

watch the startup screen while powering up from a power down..
it'll show a message for a moment saying to hit "F1" or the "thinkpad button" which should take you to a screen asking if you want to enter the BIOS..

there should be self tests there as well as other set up variables..

it is sure not recommended to pull a HDD from the HDD bay while powered up..
bad things can happen or not so bat things can happen.. which can be recovered from with a hard reset or the like..

replacing the system board is a possibility but I would not go there until I know there is no other way..

wait a day if you can for others who are more familiar with the X41.. did you say it is a tablet version..?
X41T..?

[RealBlackStuff]

X41/X41T all use 1.8" small drives with connectors on the long side, and run at 4200 rpm.
Removing a HD (un)knowingly while running, can destroy some electronics on the motherboard and possibly on the HD as well.
That HD might still work but the motherboard is quite likely toast.
Because those are 3.3V drives, you can NOT try them in a regular 2.5" PATA-HD slot, since those are all 5V.
Alternatives to try: check http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=80773

[ag2014]

Alright. When I put it to start up in diagnostics mode, I got the message like upper limit EE00 or something like that? I looked it up, and sure enough, my motherboard is pretty much done. I'm really sad that I broke one of the best laptop brands around. I blame myself for not having the HDD caddy in the first place. Anyways, sounds like a motherboard replacement is an order for me.