Advent T9103 Intel P4 550 3.4hz, 320GB 7200 rpm HDD (2 x 160), 1024MB DDR memory, Windows XP SP3.

HDD Western Digital WD1600 Sata Dec 2004 x 2

Problem started after I decided to vacuum around the cooling fan, I have done this before with no problems, as it gets very "fluffy". Plastic head with soft bristles on vacuum.
When I started the computer it SAID it required system disks, so I loaded my recovery disks created when I first had the PC (possibly 4-5 years now). When it eventually loaded windows there was no second HDD drive.
I guess I WIPED the drive that has worked when I loaded the recovery disks. I can not get the second HDD to be recognised at all, I have tried swapping the power and serial data leads from the other working drive and nothing, except when I try to boot from the unrecognised HDD it asks for system disks, if I load these I will wipe any existing data, if I have any data left at all, and will I have 2 versions of Windows, would this be a good idea?
Foolishly I had not backed up the data stored on the original D drive, was always going to do it tomorrow. I guess I will have to take that one on the chin.
I am not SURE what to do next really, and would appreciate some help please. If I have not given enough techinal data please advise and I will do my best to provide anything required.


Thank you for your time and help.After reading some other posts on here I have knocked the HDD gently (as though breaking an egg) although I did feel like bashing it. No change.
Put it in the feezer for a while, no change.
This HDD will not be recognised.
When the screen comes up it is not listed and I cant get to the BIOS any ideas please?

Thank you1) NEVER jar the hd - not even a little. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply wrong.
2) Freezer. Yeah, okay.
3) I'm not sure I completely follow your post. Can you boot to Windows on your main drive? If so, have you checked to see if the drive appears in disk management?Using a vaccuum inside a PC case is never a good idea...they generate large amounts of static that can damage components...compresssed air is the better choice.
That being said ...have you tried to remove the drive and put it into another working machine to see if it is recognised ? ?
Did this drive have an OS installed on it or just data ? ?

Try another data cable when you swap it into the other machine...hook it up to an odd # SATA PORT so it doesn't attempt to boot.
When the machine starts up make sure it shows in the BIOS.
If it does then after booting right clik My Computer...select Manage...then Disk Management.
Find the drive there...right clik it and select Properties...report back with your findings.