HDD not Recognized After MB Replaced

[jollyjohn]

I have changed MB on a Dell laptop Inspiron 1520 MB No: DA0FM5MB8F0 REV:F Original MB. I order a replacement from China and the MB No is: DA0FM5MB8G0 REV:G New Replacement MB.

The laptop turns on but won't find the HDD and Won't boot. It also identifies the system as Dell Inspiron 1720, now. BIOS version = 809 Revision A09.

I had downloaded a BIOS file 1520_A03.EXE but this would kill the Mobo now, I think.

The HDD has Windows 7 32 Bit installed.

What do I do? I have pressed F1, F2, F5 as suggested on the screen but it wont boot.

I'll be very grateful if some one can help me with the problem and get it to boot.

Thanks for reading.

John

[aedipuss]

does it boot to bios?

[nic2k4]

It could be due to a BIOS setting, an incompatible drive connector or a defective drive port. You can start by checking with Dell if the 1520 and 1720 share the same drive connector, then check the BIOS.

Pushing F2 gets you into the BIOS; is the hard drive listed in the BIOS? If so, you're half way out of the woods. Look around the BIOS for SATA mode settings, there might be something relating to IDE, RAID or AHCI. If you find it, switch it to the other setting and try booting. If it still won't boot it's probably an AHCI driver issue. Make sure the BIOS is set to use AHCI for SATA, get an original Windows CD, download the 1720 SATA drivers from Dell and put the boot driver on a flash drive. Boot the CD and push F6 to load the boot driver from the flash drive, then select repair from the Windows install menu.

If you can't see the drive in the BIOS and the connector is the same between the 2, then the port might be defective.

[TBoneit]

F12 is the boot device menu.
Is it not even seeing the hard drive or is it Blue Screening when it tries to boot?

Does it also show a service tag? If so it may not be new. AFAIK the new ones come with no service tag and you set it when you install the motherboard.

I got a repaired Motherboard for a HP DV series from China, everything worked except the DVDRW. RMA Back to China and the second one worked OK.

Good Luck

[jollyjohn]

Guys, Thank you all for helping. I am a little overwhelmed with this challenge but I'm also exited about achieving a good outcome. Please bear with me, I'll try everything you suggest to me. I'll be a little slow sometimes but I want to do it and do it well, and at the same time learn.

I'll try to post photos of the screens shown when I press the different F keys.

Don't you just love it when you have problems?

Regards

John

[jollyjohn]

There is not a service tag, I don't think I can enter the service tag on the label on the back of the laptop, can I?

I downloaded drive R154198.exe, I had to give the laptop's service tag number which Dell site identified as 1520. Can I enter this service tag number for the 1720?

nic2k4, you wrote: Make sure the BIOS is set to use AHCI for SATA, Mate, where do I check that? I do get the BIOS page but I don't know how to set it up.

I have also emailed the guy at Aliexpress and I'm waiting for reply. Has anyone dealt with them?

The photos where too blurry, cannot read any text on the screen photographed.

I'll keep in touch.

John

[jollyjohn]

Guys, I found this site. Anything good for me in there, do you think?

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Inspiron%201720&By=Dell&SS=Firmware

[nic2k4]

Make sure the BIOS is set to use AHCI for SATA, Mate, where do I check that? I do get the BIOS page but I don't know how to set it up.

Look on the right side of the display while in the BIOS, you'll see instructions on how to navigate. Typically, the arrow keys, enter, esc, page up/down and +/- keys are used. Dell BIOS are a little different, you use alt-P to go through all the pages. If you install Windows on a SATA drive that is set to AHCI and then change the SATA mode to IDE, the data on the drive will be inaccessible even though the drive is seen in the BIOS.

That's what I was saying in the case you see the drive in the BIOS. I can't tell you where to look in your BIOS, I don't have a 1720 in front of me and all BIOS are different, but just look around and if you push enter on a setting you might get a list of options, just hit esc to cancel out.

Your first step should be to email Dell tech support and ask if the hard drive connector is the same for a 1520 and 1720. Actually, I believe they call that connector an interposer.

As for the service tag, it's a Dell reference number that describes your laptop. Once you get that thing running, you might be able to go online or use one of their utilities and update your tag info to match the hardware, but that's not preventing it from working.

[TBoneit]

I would not go changing the firmware you may total the motherboard. You could also kill any support from the seller

[nic2k4]

Guys, I found this site. Anything good for me in there, do you think?

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Inspiron%201720&By=Dell&SS=Firmware

I wouldn't use that, it specifies a Samsung HDD; most likely it's a firmware update for that drive. Here's the driver page from Dell. Good news, the 1520 and 1720 use the same SATA drivers.

[jollyjohn]

Guys, I found this site. Anything good for me in there, do you think?

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Inspiron%201720&By=Dell&SS=Firmware

I wouldn't use that, it specifies a Samsung HDD; most likely it's a firmware update for that drive. Here's the driver page from Dell. Good news, the 1520 and 1720 use the same SATA drivers.

Mate, that is great news. I had already downloaded those drivers but I was hesitant whether to install them.

I'm being very careful with what I do so I don't void my one month guaranty.

I'm still waiting for a reply from Aliexpress.

Kindest Regards

John

[jollyjohn]

G'day guys

Have a good lough on me or at me.

The motherboard doesn't have an interface here to connect a HDD. Can you believe that?

Well. It's going back to China Tomorrow and I hope I get the correct one with nothing missing and working next time.

Thank you for your help and knowledge.

I'll Keep you posted

John

[nic2k4]

That would do it, but I think you're supposed to unscrew the one from your old board and plug it on the new one. The boards look identical, I wonder what's the difference between a 1520 and 1720; screen size?

[jollyjohn]

It is not screwed on it is soldered. At first I thought I could install the old connector but Its factory soldered, very fine pins.

DA0FM5MB8F0 REV:F Original MB 1520

DA0FM5MB8G0 REV:G New Replacement MB 1720

I think it'll take a couple of weeks to get another one, If I'm lucky and get one.

Mate, thanks for your help. I'll keep in touch and let you know how it goes.

John

[aedipuss]

the hdd connector pins are supposed to be soldered on to the m.b. no way to just screw on a connector.

and yes the difference was screen size.

[nic2k4]

On the picture of the new board, it looks like there's a white connector with 2 screw posts on either sides. Usually, those places that sell refurbished parts will strip everything that's not soldered, off a board and expect you to use the parts from your old board.

I guess those boards aren't totally identical and the 1720 uses some kind of flex cable to attach the HDD.

[jollyjohn]

The MB is gone back to China. I cost me AU$ 28.75 shipping. Now I have to send another US$35.00 for shipping another MB form China.

Not happy about it, but is that or nothing I think.

Someone warned me about buying from China. Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes you are not.