Member Avatar for mkprager

I have a HP Presario desktop with Vista. I have replaced the hard drive and get the following message after completion on the software: PXE-E61 Media Tet failure check cables

Any suggestions?

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PXE-E61 ("Media Test Failure, check cable") is the firmware telling you it fell back to network boot because it could not find a local bootable disk. That is consistent with what pointed out (the replacement drive not being seen). was also on the right track about controller support — but since does not have the motherboard CD, the practical fixes are firmware, cable, and alternate-driver steps rather than relying on that disc.

Try these checks in order:

  1. Confirm firmware sees the drive. Enter BIOS/Setup (common keys: F2, F10, Del) and look for connected SATA/IDE devices.
  2. If the drive is not listed: power down, reseat the SATA/data and SATA-power connectors, swap to a different SATA port and a different cable, or hook the drive to another PC or a USB enclosure to verify the drive itself.
  3. If the drive is listed but the system still drops to PXE, change boot order so the hard disk is first and disable network/PXE boot. This stops the network error and isolates the problem.
  4. If an installer or the HP reimage tool does not show the drive, the OS installer may lack the SATA/AHCI drivers. Options: temporarily set SATA mode to IDE/legacy in BIOS so the installer can see the disk, download the chipset/SATA drivers from HP using the Presario model number and supply them to the installer, or integrate drivers into a USB install image (Vista often needs F6-era drivers, so slipstreaming is common).

If the BIOS sees the disk but Windows will not start, boot recovery media and run Startup Repair; if needed use Bootrec and Diskpart to repair MBR/BCD and mark the system partition active. If none of the hardware swaps make the drive visible, try a different drive — hardware DOA happens. If needed, post the exact Presario model and BIOS version for model-specific driver links or BIOS update guidance.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for RJCO

install IDE or SATA Controller software from your motherboard CD

Member Avatar for hughv

The new HD is not being found. Double check your installation.

Member Avatar for mkprager

Thanks.

Member Avatar for mkprager

install IDE or SATA Controller software from your motherboard CD

I do not have a cd for the mother board, just the reimage cd.

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