Solved Dell Hard Drive Error 0146

[jer18]

Hi All,

I have a Dell Optiplex 360 that failed to boot a year or two ago. It was put aside until recently now that we could use the system again.

Since it wasn't booting again, I wipe the drive and got a fresh Windows 7 install onto it. I spent the time with updates and installing applications, a few days pass. When I turn the system on its now showing me the "No boot device available" error. Running the Dell HW Diag. its telling me there's a HDD issue with Error code 2000-0146.

I now tried to use a different HDD. Same thing happened again. After the updates, upon either a power on or restart, it decides to show the No boot device available. The only thing different this time was I decided to do an XP install. Either way, I cant get in with either drive.

-- I did troubleshoot with a new SATA cable. Also, attempting the different SATA connections on the board. With either drive in place, I can see it identified in BIOS.

Any thoughts or walkthroughs would be super appreciated!

 

[fireberd]

That error code is "DST Log contains previous error(s)." It has (had) failed self test.

I would suspect the BIOS, to start with since both drives do the same thing. It could be a SATA controller problem, but I would start with the BIOS. Reset the BIOS by removing the CR2032 CMOS memory backup battery (with the PC powered off) for at least 10 minutes. Reinstall the battery, observing battery polarity, and power on and enter the setup (BIOS), with F2. Check to see if the drive is recognized and set the boot order, if needed. Then try booting up.

 

[jer18]

Thanks - waited about 15 -replaced battery then rebooted. In Bios the HDD is recognized and is currently SATA-0.

Still No boot.

 

[fireberd]

Have you tried the other SATA ports? Assuming the hard drive still has the OS on it and not corrupted.

 

[jer18]

Yes. I did troubleshoot with a new SATA cable. Also, attempting the different SATA connections on the board. With either drive in place, I can see it identified in BIOS.

 

[SandeepP]

Yes. I did troubleshoot with a new SATA cable. Also, attempting the different SATA connections on the board. With either drive in place, I can see it identified in BIOS.

Hi jer18,

I appreciate the time and effort that you took to troubleshoot the issue. If you have any CD, Media card reader inside the system then also this error could come up on the system.

Please disconnect all the external peripherals attached to the system and then try to boot the same.

Have you checked these harddrive on other system if they work fine.

I want to know what is the possibility of both the hard-drives being at fault. If possible clean both the harddrives one by one using disk part:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Once they are cleaned then try to re-install the windows on the system:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[jer18]

Hi - Sorry for delay.. hope to receive further help on this one..

I used another hard drive. Did a clean install of Windows 7 successfully. The first thing I did after reaching the desktop was install A06 Bios update (to replace A01) from the DELL website. The update was successful on reboot, but immediately I was taken to the No Boot Drive available screen. This is the third drive its no longer detecting..

(for anyone new browsing this thread - take a quick read at the original post - I tried quite a few things already. This is very interesting..)

 

[SandeepP]

Hi - Sorry for delay.. hope to receive further help on this one..

I used another hard drive. Did a clean install of Windows 7 successfully. The first thing I did after reaching the desktop was install A06 Bios update (to replace A01) from the DELL website. The update was successful on reboot, but immediately I was taken to the No Boot Drive available screen. This is the third drive its no longer detecting..

(for anyone new browsing this thread - take a quick read at the original post - I tried quite a few things already. This is very interesting..)

Hi jer18,

Please check the BIOS and let us know if the harddrive is detected there. Please make sure there is no removable media is connected to the system.

Kindly enter the boot sequence in BIOS and make sure that internal harddrive is set up to boot as first device in BIOS.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[jer18]

Yes - These things are all true.

 

[SandeepP]

Yes - These things are all true.

Hi jer18,

Please let me know if the harddrive is detected in BIOS or not as this would decide the course of troubleshooting we need to follow.

You can check the harddrive on a different SATA port on the system to isolate the point of failure on the system.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[jer18]

Yes, the harddrive is detected in BIOS.

 

[eg789]

Hi Jer 18,

just a thought....

What happens if you take the Original HDD and use it in another PC?
I have seen that code 0146 it usually means you HDD needs replacement.

Usually its even possible to get it changed under guarantee.

 

[jer18]

Ah, in another computer, the hard drive boots with no issue.

 

[SandeepP]

Ah, in another computer, the hard drive boots with no issue.

Hi jer18,

Thanks for your reply. This confirms there are no issues with the new harddrive. Kindly connect this harddrive back on the system and then load the BIOS defaults on the system.

Loading BIOS defaults
Keep tapping F2 key on the keyboard while starting the system at Dell logo.
In BIOS select Maintenance at the left and hit enter. Then select load defaults and press enter.
Select continue and hit enter. Press save/exit and boot the system.

Check if system is able to boot now. If the issue occurs again then we need to isolate if it is a fault with the cable or the SATA port.

You must have a optical drive that also uses SATA connection. Swap the SATA cables. Connect the optical drive cable to the harddrive and restart the system.

Check this manual link for your reference:

Manual Link

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[jer18]

Made the BIOS change to load defaults.
It's booting up!

(I have already checked another cable and sata port).

Now.. I'll just need to repeat the process to updgrade from Windows XP. If it holds and reboots after updates successfully I know this was the fix. Thanks!! I'll post back with reply and rep to your post. I should be able to work more on this PC within the next couple days to know for sure.

 

[SandeepP]

Made the BIOS change to load defaults.
It's booting up!

(I have already checked another cable and sata port).

Now.. I'll just need to repeat the process to updgrade from Windows XP. If it holds and reboots after updates successfully I know this was the fix. Thanks!! I'll post back with reply and rep to your post. I should be able to work more on this PC within the next couple days to know for sure.

Hi jer18,

Its great to hear that system is booting fine after loading the BIOS update. Please check the system at your convenience and let us know if you require further assistance.

Also, let us know if you are planning to upgrade to Windows 7 or updating XP to SP3.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[jer18]

The defaults have been loaded and quite sure that resolved it. Thanks!

 

[SandeepP]

The defaults have been loaded and quite sure that resolved it. Thanks!

Hi jer18,

Great to hear the same. Glad that we were able to resolve this issue for you. If you have any queries in future feel free to reach out to us.