Thinkpads Forum

I've just got a new Seagate 60GB hard drive for my old 570, and when I try to install either Windows 2000 or Ubuntu or Xubuntu Linux, the installers can't find the new drive. The BIOS also has a ! next to the drive, most likely meaning it can't see it either.

I can obviously boot fine from a CD and Floppy, but not a HD.

Could someone please help me figure out what is wrong? Any help is much appreciated.

As I usually do in similar situations, I suggest that you make sure it's a parallel ATA drive rather than serial ATA, and update the BIOS to the latest version.

ThreeDee912 wrote:I've just got a new Seagate 60GB hard drive for my old 570

What is the model of the drive?

I am positive it's PATA. I'l try and update the BIOS and get the model # of the HD too after I finish something...

Ok, I found the BIOS update on IBM/Lenovo's support site, but am having a bit of trouble getting the .exe to put the files on the floppy...

The drive is a Seagate Momentus 2.5" 60GB HD, Model ST960812A-RK.

When I opened the box, it said something like "This drive should be professionally installed! You may not have the appropriate tools required to correctly install the drive!". I doubt that a 'professional' would have did something different than I did?

Ok. I had to put the files where there is no space in the filepath. I got the file onto the floppy, and booted from it. My battery recently died, and I'm working of of AC power, which is no good, as the updater requires a working battery... Guess i'll go an get another battery...

ThreeDee912 wrote:Guess i'll go an get another battery...

A few people have used this batteryless BIOS update trick successfully:

http://www.thinkpads.com/batteryless.htm

Update appears to work, but the HD is still not recognized (i think), as when I try and view it in the BIOS, the computer freezes! There is no more "!" symbol, it just freezes when I try and 'expand' the list. I can still boot from a floppy or CD.

At the risk of stating the obivious, the drive is not upside down and both rows of pins are being inserted? I pulled one out of an external enclosure that had little plastic pads and when inserted into the caddie was too high and only caught the upper row of pins. Pulled off the pads and was good to go.

Yes, that was the obvious. What 'pads' were you talking about? I am 99.9% sure that the disk was installed correctly... All of the screw holes lines up with the rack thing, and the label is facing up. The top of the HD faces up when inserting the HD. I can't visually see if all the HD pins are connecting though.

ThreeDee912 wrote:What 'pads' were you talking about?

Spacers, but they are obvious, so if you are asking you don't have them.