HD detected but cannot access

Just what I need this week!

Got a HD that shows up in BIOS but when trying to install Linux or XP from CD it says it cannot access it.

Blue screens when you select anything.

Not seen this before, any thoughts? Or do I have another doorstop?

Cable perhaps?

Tried it in another PC ?

Jumper settings set correctly?

(Just to note, the abbreviation for Hard Disk is HDD)

Cable OK, tried another HD which works fine.

Definitely this HD which has thrown a wobbly, was working before I tried the reinstall and seemed to crash out in the middle...

No jumper settings changed.

Weeeeeeeird!

Can you get to a DOS prompt and reinitialize the MBR ?

Is it a SATA drive connected via an addin SATA controller?

I couldn't install Vista on one of those a while ago and just ended up using an IDE drive.

Very odd stuff happening.

Chucked it in another computer to see if i could format it as a second drive.
Could see it in device manager but not disk management.
Tried going into recovery console and couldn't access it.
Then downloaded Maxtor MaxBlast and tried formatting it using that.
Got an error say the HD could not be accessed.
Rebooted.
Everything runs REALLY slowly
It shows up in disk management.
Just deleted the partition and started another format... it's taking forever and the drive is running really hot!

Hmmmmmm.....

Have you tried to reinitialize the MBR ?
Also may be worth Gdisking it too and a low level format may help....

Taken about 50mins to format 89% of a 160gig drive.... *snore*

If this doesn't work out I'll try MBR tomorrow.

Gdisk? Eh?

Some odd goings on over here...

Got a "error formatting drive", then tried it again and seems to be working fine again... bizarre.

I think if this one gives me any more grief he's heading for the bin!