How to Troubleshoot "Primary Not Detected" in BIOS
When the BIOS (basic input-output system) of your computer reports "Primary not Detected," it is saying that your primary drive is not being seen by the BIOS of the motherboard. BIOS is basically the operating system for your motherboard. The BIOS runs the hardware so that the Windows operating system does not have to deal with hardware issues. However, if the BIOS cannot see a component, then Windows cannot see the component. This is usually caused by the wires to the drive not being plugged in properly, which renders the drive invisible to the BIOS.
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Instructions
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Turn off your computer in order to work on it. If you cannot boot to the Windows runtime environment, then hold down the power button on the front of the computer for five seconds. This will shut down the computer via hardware switch instead of the virtual software switch (a "hard" shutdown). Put on an anti-static wrist strap to avoid any static discharges during the following steps.
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Unplug all the cables (not just the power cable) from the rear of the computer. Any metallic wire is capable of transmitting an electrical current, even when you think the power is off. Monitor cables, especially, should be disconnected, as the capacitors in some monitors can store an electrical charge for almost half an hour after being turned off.
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Unscrew the side panel from the computer. On most models of computers there will be two screws at the rear of the computer that anchor the side panel. Unscrew the screws, then slide the panel off, laying it to the side in an out-of-the-way place so you do not accidentally step on it.
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Locate your hard drive in its hard drive cage. It will be a silver, rectangular box, roughly the size of your outstretched hand. There will be two cables going into the hard drive; a power cable and a data cable. The power cable will have four pins; if it is not plugged in, simply plug it in to the matching connector on the hard drive. Trace the power cable back to the power supply of the computer and ensure that it is plugged into the power supply as well.
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Plug in the data cable if it is detached. The data cable will be either a long ribbon cable composed of 20 smaller wires, or a single SATA cable that is smaller, red and rectangular in shape. Ensure that the data cable is sitting properly in the port on the hard drive and trace it back to where it enters the motherboard to ensure it is plugged in properly there.
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Screw the side panel back on. Do not use a power tool, as the computer case is not made to withstand that level of torque. Plug all of the wires back into the rear of the computer and press the power button. Your BIOS should now see the primary drive.
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References
- Photo Credit construction computer image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
