Toshiba HD not recognized by Thinkpad A30

[Han]

Hi, I have install a replacement HD. Unfortunately my Thinkpad fails to recognize it. I couldn’t find any relevant information on the forum yet hence my question. Some technical details:

Thinkpad A30 2652 4BG
HD: Toshiba MK 6026GAX (ATA; 5400RPM; 60GB)

The original 30Gb drive has long gone. I replaced it with an old disk which works fine but is very slow IBM DARA-206000; ATA; 4200RPM; 6GB.

The Toshiba HD is not visible at all (BIOS doesn’t see it). Putting back the old disk works fine so the slot seems to be in order.

Any idea’s?

Thanks, Han

PS. I managed to upgrade the BIOS with a dead battery using the instructions from the forum. Thanks to who ever posted that!

[I Use Dial]

Have you verified the disk works on another computer?

Is the disk upside down?

Do you have the disk fully installed? By that I mean both rows of pins are inserted. I have found it's possible to install half of the pins on accident.

[RealBlackStuff]

Try putting it in a USB case first, then hook it up to a working PC or laptop.

Click Start/Run, type in diskmgmt.msc and hit enter.
Check for the new HD in there, and rightclick the left-most field for that HD. Select the option Initialize. You should now be able to partition/format it.

[Han]

Hi, thanks for the quick replies. Some answers to both of you:

The disk works (its from a Dell Latitude)
It can't be inserted upside down (just won't fit)
I'll check whether it is insert completly (guess it is but better save then sorry)
I don't have a USB case but do have an adapter to fit it into a desktop. I'll try that and see if I can initialize it.

Thanks again and I will let you know whether it worked.

Cheers, Han
[/list]

[Han]

Final got time to follow up the advise given and it works I first installed the drive on a desktop and remove all partitions etc. The disk is recognise and I am on to the next challenge (installing Linux - Ubuntu). Thanks for the advise.