x220 - 2100:Detection Error on HDD0 // PXE-E61Media test failure,check cable

I have an x220i type 4286 with a standard 320GB mechanical hard drive. I ordered it in 2011, and it has been an absolute marvel for me for the 2 years that I've had it, then out of nowhere, I got the error message you see in the subject above, "2100: Detection error on HDD0" then when I go with the "Hit ESC to continue" I end up getting the PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable" error message pops up.

I removed the keyboard to get a look and everything...ehh..."looks" ok, the ribbon cable doesn't look torn or anything, and nothing in the back of the HDD looks wrong. I removed the HDD to see if excessive dust was in there and it seemed ok, and I reseated it carefully, and it looked proper.

So I'm kind atorn as to what I should do now. I don't think I have another external HDD that will work to test, but apparently this is a common issue or something? It seems a lot of folks have issues with the SSD but mine is just a plain-jane mechanical HDD.

help? Please?

 

You'll need to borrow another laptop just to verify whether the drive is "seen" in BIOS there...

 

so should I get an enclosure of some sort that connects via USB? Not sure what to look for to make sure it is the right type.

 

OK, I skipped asking one important question here: is your hard drive presently seen in BIOS?

I would guess not, but...doesn't hurt to ask anyway.

You need an USB enclosure for a 2.5" SATA drive.

 

so is this the type of enclosure we're talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-Inch-Aluminum-Enclosure-EC-TB4P/dp/B005EIGUD4/ref=pd_cp_pc_2


and no, the only item in the boot menu was the PCI LAN

 

ok, so I ended up getting this enclosure:
Dynex 2.5" Serial ATA Hard Drive Enclosure DX-HD302513 - Best Buy

When I plug it in, I get the Windows 7 "ta-da!" beep that you get when you plug any USB device in. Under Device Manager, it pops up as a USB Mass Storage Device with a yellow exclamation point, and under the Properties it reads, "Device Status: This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

In Control Panel - All Control Panel Items - Devices and Printers it shows up under "Unspecified" as "USB Mass Storage Device (Category: Unknown)"

Initially, I get the little blue "activity" light on the enclosure, but eventually that poops out as well. I have tried every USB port on my main system to see if the HDD would be recognized, ones that I know for a fact work and provide power. Not real sure what to do now.

 

I'm fairly certain that your hard drive is gone.

If you have access to some type of software that would test it in a DOS environment (like old PC Doctor for DOS which unfortunately don't work on newer ThinkPads) now would be an opportune time to use it.

I'd just call Lenovo, tell them that the hard drive is not seen in BIOS anymore and request a replacement, presuming that the machine is still under warranty.

Good luck.

 

Yeah, unfortunately, it's just out of warranty.

I'm going to pick up a HDD locally and give it a try. If it doesn't work, then I know it's not just the HDD, it's the mainboard or whatever, and i'm kinda hosed, and I will have to send it to Lenovo's depot repair or whatever

 

You're better off exploring options other than Lenovo service if it comes down to that painful route. With what they would charge you to swap the planar you could likely buy a new laptop.

I still believe that it's just a bad drive, though.

Good luck.

 

thanks, and I hope it's just a bad drive, like you said.

 

There's a long thread about the first error here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/580719-helpppp-2100-detection-error-hdd0-main-hdd.html

If your disk is dead or corrupted and PXE (network boot) is in your boot order after the HDD, that would explain the second message.

 

that's exactly what it's doing. Of course, the reason is because the laptop does not recognize the drive at all