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Hard disk gets detected then undetectable when trying to access it.

Hello, my Dell laptop was starting to not detect the hard disk since due to a Windows Update. Tried to System Restore but again faced the BSOD. It got to a point where the SupportAssist OS Recovery can even cause the hard disk to become undetectable when it's used for like resetting. I tried to use a Windows 10 ISO USB to install, and the hard disk can be displayed when trying to install, but at some percentage it shows "Windows cannot access the installation sources" and the hard disk once again becomes undetectable (It did succeed in formatting the hard disk).

Note that the hard disk will once again be detectable after around 3 to 4 hours when left on in BIOS settings or just turned off. I just want to find a way to fix this hard disk not found at all, or at the least eliminate the four hour wait to get hd disk detectable where there's high chance that it gets undetectable.

Please guide me to fix this, any method is appreciated and feel free to ask any information about my laptop. One method can be to boot OS from USB, but I want to know other methods. (Preferable methods are those not involving disassembly of laptop for fixing physically in the inside but any method is allowed to be posted here)

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Hi @temporary3155

Is the HDD always showing as detected in BIOS? Not sure from your question whether it is or not. If the BIOS is also intermittently not detecting the HDD it seems like the HDD is failing

Have you tried the diagnostic test that is usually found in Dell PCs?

Turn on the laptop and press the F12 key a few times until you get the One Time Boot menu. Select Diagnostics then press Enter and follow the prompts.

If the test fails then the HDD is faulty.

Here's the owner manual Go to p.23 to view the procedure to remove/replace the HDD

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In the BIOS when hard disk isn't touched for long it does display but when touched and not working it doesn't display in both the storage and boot sequence. Also, Dell Diagnostics just says that Hard Drive is not installed during those times and when it can be detected it just doesn't detect any problem.

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@temporary3155

The HDD either has a loose connection or is failing and needs to be replaced.

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Temporary will be eternally grateful.
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