Glad to help and looking forward to the report.

So, just allow me to clarify this: Download ISO and the image burner, then use the image burner to burn said file to a disk and boot the PC off of it?

I'll get on that but it'll take a bit, I only have one Windows XP system at my disposal and it frequently loses internet connection. The one I've been posting with is a Mac laptop.

Edit: What exactly does SeaTools do? It's warning me that if this isn't my drive than I should perfrom a data erasure and that the company isn't responsible for lost data.

SeaTools does precisely what the website said it does.

From the advice that SeaGate gave, then backup all data on the drive dear to your heart (if the drive allows), then format the drive.

Well, I can't use my OS at the moment, but most of my important data is actually already backed up.

The website doesn't state the page what the program does, I had to Google it. It was on SeaGate's site, but I have no idea how to navigate between the pages.

Anyway, I'll be running the diagnostic, then, sorry about my ineptitude.

I ran the diagnostic, and it couldn't detect my hard drive. I checked all the cables and tried again with the same result.

Somewhere I'm confused. Sure wish you would have put the info that you do have about the computer nto your system specs, then I wouldnt' need to ask.

Is this a laptop or a desktop computer?

This is a desktop. Maybe if I knew exactly what you wanted as far as system specs go I could try to find something physical on that.

Also, I looked at the hard drive a little while back, I found no trace of a jumper, unfortunately, I haven't checked it before and I can't say if it was always like that. There don't seem to be any jumpering instructions on the drive itself, either.

First, every bit of info you have about the desktop and the fact that it is a desktop, put into the system specs.

Nomally, one can say that I need piece A or piece B, but what one can say is that the System Specs will be a big help.

Can you boot into the BIOS?

If yes, then choose to Restore Defaults and save the changes.

Now is problem gone?

Would you please:
1. remove power from the desktop
2. remove the cover from the desktop
3. reassure that the connectors to the drive are good
4. write down the manufacturer and the manufacturer's model info for us.

thanks,

Restoring defaults didn't help. I don't know of a way to check if the connectors are actually working, but I did unplug and replug its connectors again to insure they aren't loose.

I don't quite know what you mean by manufacturer model info. I have is that it's a Dell Studio XPS,
the service number is 81R7HK1,
its express service code is 17520423841,
a sticker on the SATA cable reading "CN-0U5959-42940-9AH-H69K",
and a yellow sticker reading "CN-0K007T-42940-9B2-4599-A01 Made IN China DP/N:0K007T". I'm sorry.

thanks for the info.

Now, on the hard disk drive itself is a sticker giving info about the hard drive.

You may need to temporarily remove the drive in order to read the info on the hard drive sticker.

You have gradually been coming up with pieces of info about the computer.

Please enter that info into your system specs.

thanks,

Okay, that's the best I've got.

that's looking real good.

Was that helpful in any meaningful way? I haven't made any new developments since trying default settings.