As you said, no HD, no boot......... the IP address for the server doesn't load, so I can go to the homepage and configure it, but the disk activity light was lit and now flutters every so often when there's disk activity, (i assume background processes stopping and starting).
If the IDE controller was crap the disk activity light wouldn't blink or even carry a signal, right? yet I can't connect online, that's why I'm trying to narrow down if the HD still works then I can assume the network connector on the MoBo is crap. But the network status and link lights, will light up and the link/act light will flicker with activity...... I'm truly at a loss after reading all the snap server problems in the forum