Hello,
Thank you for contacting Just Answer.
First I need to know, was the previous hard drive a PATA drive and the new drive a SATA drive?
Ok so just to clarify. The new drive is plugged into the same connector as the old drive correct?
Also, what is the size of the new drive and what is the size of the old drive?
New; 500 GB 7200 RPM Yes, it is plugged into the same connectors as the old drive
Old: I don't know...I did find out it is SATA
When you press F2 to enter the Bios setup is the new hard drive listed?
Also, do you have one connector or two that connect to the SATA drive? (some SATA connectors provide both data and power, others need two, one for data the other for power.
In setup drives: Diskette Drive, Drive 0: SATA-0, DRIVE 1: SATA-2, DRIVE 2: PATA-0
DRIVE 3: PATA 1
SATA OPERATION
I connected two lines. One is wider than the other. I connected them exactly in the same
ports as the old drive.
Ok so just to confirm, in the Bios the drive does not show up correct?
Also, what version of Bios is running on the PC (you can see the version number on the screen when you first boot the PC)?
bios version a06 - yes under that shows drive 1 not found drive 3 not found
Please confirm the operating system - click Start then Run then type Winver and press Enter and let me know the name and version displayed.
Try plugging the drive into a different connector and see if it is then recognized.
Also, when you plug in the drive, with the case open, power up the PC and listed to see if you can hear the drive spin up just to confirm that it is working.
An updated Bios can be found at the link below. If you find that the hard drive is spinning up then update the Bios:
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R115122&SystemID=DI M_P4_4700&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=308&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=8&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=151799
Computer Systems Engineer
Microsoft and Cisco Certified with 17 years experience, CISSP information security professional
Dell wystem 4700 - BIOS Version - A06-(01-01-05)
Service Tag 6ys2871
Express Service Code XXXXXXXXXXX /p>
Ok so below is the link to your computer's configuration on Dell's website. The computer operating system is Windows XP.
Next, try plugging the drive into a different connector and see if it is then recognized.