R51 cannot detect a hard disk

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roguetrooper · #1 Post by **roguetrooper** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 2:28 pm

Hi there

I have just purchased an R51, and the owner states the issue is the system "does not detect hard disks".

I have researched this issue but can find nothing that indicates it is a typical fault.

Could it be the Hard Disk controller, BIOS settings, or the disk itself (he has tried multiple).

Windows XP Just says "Cannot find any Disks" even though a hard disk is in the unit.

As I have not yet received the unit I cannot give the BIOS status of the disk.

Many thanks!

vanaya · #2 Post by **vanaya** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:19 pm

I think more clarification is needed.

the system "does not detect hard disks"

This should just be right after the IBM boot splash, correct??

Windows XP Just says "Cannot find any Disks" even though a hard disk is in the unit.

They are not in windows, are they??

I would verify the drive is seated properly by removing the palmrest and ensuring the correct alignment of the pins. Keep in mind that the drives are inserted with the label facing the bottom/desk.

#3 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:56 am

FYI: T4x AND R5x hard disks need to be mounted with 4 screws in the HD caddy, and the HD needs to go in upside down (label pointing to bottom of laptop).

roguetrooper · #4 Post by **roguetrooper** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:24 pm

This laptop should come tomorrow.

It was $120 for an R51/256/NO HDD/15" without PSU, in the UK on eBay used R51's can go for $150+, actually I should have purchased a used one as I would have got 512/40 and working for an extra $30 with a PSU thrown in

but you live and learn.

However not detecting a hard disk as far as I know has *never* been down to a HW problem on a ThinkPad....??? it's not as if it needs a reflow (yet!). I am convinced this is a BIOS issue or they tried a non compatible IDE 2.5" (if any such thing exists for this model).

I have a 60GB Spare Drive and 1GB (2x512 PC2700 SO DIMM) RAM so I'll plug in and see what comes up.

Will report back progress in the next day or so!

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 11:11 pm

roguetrooper wrote:

However not detecting a hard disk as far as I know has *never* been down to a HW problem on a ThinkPad....???

This is incorrect.

One of the most common symptoms of a loose SouthBridge chip on T4x/R5x units is inability to "see" a hard drive.

Hopefully that won't be the case with yours.

Good luck.

roguetrooper · #6 Post by **roguetrooper** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:35 am

OK the model received was 2887-k2g, even got the caddy and screws.

It was a little confusing and tricky getting the HD in the caddy and the correct way around, but did it within 10 minutes or so and.... it works!!!

The R51 detects the HD perfectly. Not sure what the engineer testing the machine did wrong but it has a sticker on the underside saying "WILL NOT READ HDD".

I am now currently mid NTFS format in XP.

I see this is an Intel equipped GPU 15", yay! At least no GPU failure, and given it looks like these have comparatively low Southbridge failures.. it looks like the most reliable of the R5X/T4X series... lets hope.

Thanks guys.

The screen I believe is an XGA, but it looks beautiful, much better than the screen on the three T41's XGA's next to me. OK it's 15" vs 14" but the difference is remarkable.

#7 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:29 am

I bet the dumb cluck just tried the HD the wrong way, seen that several times.
It was your lucky day.
And yes, that LCD is XGA.

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