What's wrong with my HDD

[Donovantx8]

My HD and DVDCD aren't attached hence the free flying Sata cables

 

[Donovantx8]

I left for a while, but now it's showing 2 removable drives with no size labeled c and d, presumably my disk and hd.

 

[Donovantx8]

Any way to confirm what's faulty, I doubt it's my HD or CD, so how do I confirm if it's my motherboard, CPU, or CPU.

I just want to know before I go buying stuff I don't need.

 

[essenbe]

Have you booted into windows yet? If not, have you tried a reinstall? You said you changed the battery. Are you sure it is installed correctly?

 

[Donovantx8]

No, yes failed due to lack of a HDD to install windows on, yes it is.

Having the same problems before and after, but it was the only possible problem solvable through walmart.

 

[essenbe]

Well, I'm confused. You said it showed your HD, you then said you doubt it's your hard drive, then you said you didn't install for lack of a hard drive. I don't understand. As for teting. You can test memory with Memtest86, Cpu with prime95 and GPU with Furmark. Those ar very long tests. And, if you run prime95 be certain to watch your cpu temps closely. Use coretemp64 and/or real temp.
I don't know how you can test the output of your PSU Go to bios and watch hardware monitor it should tell you your voltages +12V should be +/- 10% as should the others.
If I were you I would get a new hard drive and install windows.
How to Ready an SSD / HDD to Reinstall an Operating System -you don't need to run 'clean all' on a new hard drive. If you use your old hard drive I would run the clean all command for sure.
There is no test for a motherboard as far as I know. If all other components pass tests, the logical assumption is motherboard. Hope some of this helps.

Memtest86
Prime95 -you'll have to register, but they are both free
Tutorial how to run memtest86
Tutorial how to run prime95

 

[DocBrown]

Well, I think you should invest in a 10 pack of blank CDs at Walmart. Burn some of the utilities suggested in the numerous previous posts. Use your sister's computer or a friends. See if you can test your HD & CD/DVD drive on another computer. Or get a known working CD/DVD that can be plugged into your computer & boot with one of the utility Discs.

 

[Donovantx8]

Well, I'm confused. You said it showed your HD, you then said you doubt it's your hard drive, then you said you didn't install for lack of a hard drive. I don't understand. As for teting. You can test memory with Memtest86, Cpu with prime95 and GPU with Furmark. Those ar very long tests. And, if you run prime95 be certain to watch your cpu temps closely. Use coretemp64 and/or real temp.
I don't know how you can test the output of your PSU Go to bios and watch hardware monitor it should tell you your voltages +12V should be +/- 10% as should the others.
If I were you I would get a new hard drive and install windows.
How to Ready an SSD / HDD to Reinstall an Operating System -you don't need to run 'clean all' on a new hard drive. If you use your old hard drive I would run the clean all command for sure.
There is no test for a motherboard as far as I know. If all other components pass tests, the logical assumption is motherboard. Hope some of this helps.

Memtest86
Prime95 -you'll have to register, but they are both free
Tutorial how to run memtest86
Tutorial how to run prime95

If I did it was a mistake it lists a C drive and a D drive, both empty with 0 media, and no space, will try your suggestions.

Well, I think you should invest in a 10 pack of blank CDs at Walmart. Burn some of the utilities suggested in the numerous previous posts. Use your sister's computer or a friends. See if you can test your HD & CD/DVD drive on another computer. Or get a known working CD/DVD that can be plugged into your computer & boot with one of the utility Discs.

I attempted to try all these tools listed, but none of them work from a USB or I can't get them to.

 

[Donovantx8]

Just want to look at this another way, my original problem was fixed after I cleaned the fan let my computer cooldown, rest for a good 10/15 minutes; It would boot, but it would freeze seconds to minutes into use(after I had logged into windows) would you say that the computer was just overheated, was a very hot night, or that there was another problem causing this?

 

[essenbe]

If I were you, I would not have a hard drive in my machine that had meen filled with Trojans. Get you another hard drive, install windows and run these tests, fill out your specs so we know what hardware we are dealing with and explain to us exactly what is happening. You are there and can see it, we can't and can only help you if you explain things to us. An answer of yes.no.yes dosen't tell us very much.

 

[essenbe]

Just want to look at this another way, my original problem was fixed after I cleaned the fan let my computer cooldown, rest for a good 10/15 minutes; It would boot, but it would freeze seconds to minutes into use(after I had logged into windows) would you say that the computer was just overheated, was a very hot night, or that there was another problem causing this?

Get your computer running, download coretemp or real temp and watch your temps. That would answer that question. If the CPU gets overheated it will shutdown the computer to protect itself. But in the process can damage other components. You are the only one who can monitor your temps.

 

[Donovantx8]

I wish it were that easy. All these diagnostics require a Disk drive, and mine ain't workin' which leads me to believe its my motherboard.

 

[DocBrown]

Invest $ 18.99, I have bought at least 6 of these & they work fine!

Newegg.com - LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH22NS50 Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

 

[Donovantx8]

Invest $ 18.99, I have bought at least 6 of these & they work fine!

Newegg.com - LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH22NS50 Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Maybe I'm missing something but what's the use if my computer won't detect it?

 

[essenbe]

Donovan, here are the issues as I understand them:
1. Your HDD is full of Trojans. Get it out of your machine and don't connect it to someone elses machine and infect them.
2. As far as I know, there is no way to definitavely test a PSU without expensive equipment. But, boot into bios. go to hardware monitor, it should show you your viltages, CPU temps, MB temps and fan speed. Your voltages should be +/- 10% of the rated values. sit there and watch them. There should be no large fluctuations in the voltages. Watch your CPU temps and MB temps. If the temps get too high, shut it down. In the video it looked like you have a Corsair H50. Watch your CPU fan speed, it should be between 1350-1450 RPMs. If it's not or you get big fluctuations, the pump is malfunctioning. All of those things are available to you right now.
3. Go to you local Walmart/computer store. But CDs a new hard drive and new CD/DVD player. Install them and install windows. If it is your motherboard, you are not wasting money. All this stuff can be used in a new machine or in this machine when you replace the MB.
4. Install windows. You have to have an OS to run many of the tests, and to download the programs and burn to CD.
5. Before you go to Walmart/computer shop. Disconect the power cord from your computer. Take the battery out. Leave it out while you are gone. Replace it when you return. When you first start up the machine after this, you will have to go straight into bios, load optimized defaults and set up bios.
Install the new HD/CD/DVD player before replacing the battery.

If you do all of this correctly and make sure everything is plugged in and connected right. Bios should detect your DVD and HD. If it does not and you cannot install windows. The only other thing is the Motherboard.

If you get windows installed, start running the tests you have been given by quite a few people. That is the only way I know of to determine exactly what the problem is.

 

[Donovantx8]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm leaning towards Power Supply, but I'll spring for a motherboard too, and try them both. I won't be replacing my HDD and CD Drive as I don't believe they are faulty.

I wouldn't say my HDD is full of trojans, considering they were removed, I think the true problems lies in the original system failure due to hardware issues, I'll report back, but it will take a few days for my stuff to arrive.

 

[DocBrown]

Here is another Bootable Utility DISC

:ar: Hiren's BootCD 14.0 - All in one Bootable CD » www.hiren.info

You can also make a USB version of it

:ar: Hiren's BootCD From USB Flash Drive (Pen Drive) - www.hiren.info

 

[Donovantx8]

Not really sure about how to go about replacing my mobo I can't find my exact model, and I don't want to drop 3 series in graphics,

Here's my model, is there anyway to get a better mobo or do you gave to stick with the same model?

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

 

[essenbe]

Your processor is an AM3 socket CPU. Any MB with an AM3 socket will worlk if it will fit in your case. You current board is most likely a rebranded board from another manufacturer. Sometimes you can look closely at the board and find who made it. If you have an Acer computer the have used Foxcon motherboards often. Just make sure it fits in your case. Measure it. If it is 9.6"x9.6" it is mATX if it is 9.6"X12" it is ATX.

 

[essenbe]

The only way to stick with the same model is buy it from Acer. A new MOBO may also cause problems activating your windows OS.