BIOS can't detect hard drive

I'm trying to set up a PC my wife.
Whilst using Fdisk, the computer hung, and now the BIOS cannot detect the
harddrive.
The drive is a Seagate 6.4 mg ST36811A
I've tried it both as a single drive and as a slave.
When connected as a slave, the BIOS can't even detect the Master, which is
otherwise fine.
The computer and cable are fine, as they easily detect any other combination
of drives.

I've heard that there are utilities that can work even when BIOS can't
detect the drive?

Any suggestions welcome. (Except those that involve hitting the drive with
anything, or inserting it anywhere but in the computer

Crazy Dazz wrote in
message ...

I'm trying to set up a PC my wife.

Can't you manage anything better than a PC for a wife ?

Whilst using Fdisk, the computer hung, and
now the BIOS cannot detect the harddrive.

Looks like it might well have died.

The drive is a Seagate 6.4 mg ST36811A

Or was, anyway.

I've tried it both as a single drive and as a slave.

When connected as a slave, the BIOS can't
even detect the Master, which is otherwise fine.

Thats pretty good evidence that the drive has died.

The computer and cable are fine, as they
easily detect any other combination of drives.

I've heard that there are utilities that can
work even when BIOS can't detect the drive?

Yes, but thats not the problem. The problem is
that the drive has died now and thats why the bios
cant even see the master with it as the slave now.

Any suggestions welcome.

Toss it in the bin.

(Except those that involve hitting the drive with anything,
or inserting it anywhere but in the computer

OK, dont insert it in the bin, toss it the bin.

And see if you can find something better than a PC for a wife.