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Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

IBM or Lenovo Desktops, Workstations, ThinkStations, etc. Recent vintage, hardware/software..
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wujstefan
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Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#1 Post by wujstefan » Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:04 am

Hello Folks,

I've got a trouble with my thinkstation P500.
Apart from the fact that the device itself is extremely fussy and I'd highly recommend against buying it, I do have it so I need to put it back on its feet :D

I've got a couple of 2Tb HDDs from WD, 3,5".
None of them are being recognized in any slot, BIOS mode set at AHCI, no device found on the SATA slot.
I really have no clue what to do with that. Any ideas where to start actually?
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ZaZ
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#2 Post by ZaZ » Mon Jan 06, 2025 1:17 pm

Test them in another PC or try a known working drive in your P500 is where I would start.
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wujstefan
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#3 Post by wujstefan » Mon Jan 06, 2025 1:22 pm

Nope, all the HDDs are working in other, different devices. Tried 4 different HDDs apart from those planned to install.
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wujstefan
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#4 Post by wujstefan » Thu Jan 09, 2025 12:35 pm

No ideas guys?

I'll just add that I have a nVMe SSD in PCIe adapter with OS installed in this machine.
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axur-delmeria
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#5 Post by axur-delmeria » Fri Jan 10, 2025 2:41 am

Just basic troubleshooting:

* Do the hard drives receive power?

* Have you tried different SATA cables?

* Check BIOS settings (security page if it exists), might be disabled somewhere

* BIOS Supervisor password?

* Tried a PCIe SATA card?
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wujstefan
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#6 Post by wujstefan » Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:55 pm

Well these all are checked, apart from the first one - worth giving a try.
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wujstefan
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Re: Thinkstation P500 not recognizing any HDDs

#7 Post by wujstefan » Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:06 am

Now I've got it...

I'm missing 04X2759, this is 4x sata-to-PXE adapter. Why such an abomination should be present? IDK. Maybe so I have to spend some more $ to make it work.
No other reasonable way possible. HDD trays do not allow other connection, and all power sockets are occupied with the tray system. I'd need to disassemble everything and work on it McGuyver style with duct tape, bubble gum and matches.

Gosh...
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