first build...having issues

[EvoKyle]

So this is my first custom built computer, I have the following:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
Asus M2V Motherboard
512 MB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT XXX 256MB PCIe w/Dual DVI
Seagate 120GB Serial ATA 7200/8GB/SATA-3G
Sony DRU120C 16x DVDRW Burner
450W Power Supply

Running Windows XP SP2


The computer was running great up until tonight, it started when I was just browsing the internet, and the screen just froze up. So I rebooted it and it seemed to be working fine. Then I left it on and went to do something else for a little while and when I came back it had a black screen saying something about "No disk found please reboot" or something to that extent.

So I rebooted it, and it gave me the same screen.

A friend of mine said maybe the hard drive burned out (Its brand new though, only installed on the computer for less than 2 weeks)

1. What is causing this problem? Im thinking about just taking everything apart and starting from scratch.

2. With that hard drive, should I be on SATA1 or RAID?

Thanks for any help

[Cricket]

Replace the SATA cable to the hard drive first.

Go to the hard drive manufacturer's web site and down load the diagnostic utility and test the hard drive with it.

:) Cricket

[EvoKyle]

Sorry Im new to this, so I should buy a new cable and check if thats the cause?

Also, Im building this computer primarily for gaming, so any suggestions as to what I should add to the system please let me know. (I have another 512MB RAM coming in the mail as well)

[Cricket]

Sorry Im new to this, so I should buy a new cable and check if thats the cause?Yes, get a replacement SATA cable and try that first before you buy anything else.

:) Cricket

[EvoKyle]

Alright I will try that.

This may be stupid, but like I said Im new to this...the cable going from the hard drive to the motherboard, should that be plugged into the SATA1, SATA2, or RAID plug on the mobo?

[EvoKyle]

And thank you for your quick replies

[Cricket]

This may be stupid, but like I said Im new to this...the cable going from the hard drive to the motherboard, should that be plugged into the SATA1, SATA2, or RAID plug on the mobo?If you only have one SATA hard drive then the cable should be plugged into SATA1. When in doubt, check the motherboard manual.

:) Cricket

[EvoKyle]

Could that be causing my problem? Its plugged into RAID right now :eek:

Did I screw it up by doing it that way?

[EvoKyle]

ok im having a new problem now...

i was just browsing the net, and the computer froze up on me. So I rebooted it, and it beeps once, then gets to the screen that asks to press DEL to enter BIOS, and instead of booting up like it usually does, it stays on that screen for a minute or so, then finally goes to a black screen saying
"Reboot and Select proper Boot device or insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"

Should I try reinstalling windows? if i reinstall windows will i lose all my saved information?

Specs are in my sig

[Cricket]

When you're in the BIOS does it recognize the hard drive? Does it know a hard drive is there?

:) Cricket

[EvoKyle]

under bios:

primary IDE master: Sony DVD RW
primary IDE slave: not detected
secondary IDE master: not detected
secondary IDE slave: not detected

SATA1: ST3120811AS
SATA2: not detected

under IDE Configuration:
Serial ATA IDE Controller: SATA