Cannot see HDD?

Peerzy · 30 Apr 2011 at 13:29

Pretty sure this is a software/Windows issue.

New build, main HDD is brand new SSD and 2TB Samsung F3 for storage coming from old build. Installed Windows 7 onto SSD (it gave me the option to do either the SSD or the F3.

Installed fine, went through and did all the drivers CDs for the motherboard and graphics card and then realised I can't see the second drive!

It appears in Device Manager under Disc Drives but just nothing in My Computer?

Tried plugging in a portable Samsung 1TB drive and that appears in the Printers and Devices bit as an Unknown Device and I cannot access that either!

Plugged an 8GB memory stick in and can read from that fine.

Tried right clicking and scanning for hardware changes and updating drives via Windows Update etc but no luck?

The Samsung F3 is actually coming up as Safely Remove Hardware in the task bar? It's a standard internal SATA drive though? Cannot Safely Remove as it says it's in use?

bledd · 30 Apr 2011 at 14:19

Do they show up in Disk Management?

(start, run, diskmgmt.msc )

Might need to assign a letter for them

Also, could be a duff USB cable

Peerzy · 1 May 2011 at 22:05

bledd. said:
Do they show up in Disk Management?

(start, run, diskmgmt.msc )

Might need to assign a letter for them

Also, could be a duff USB cable

Thanks, that fixed the internal HDD. Still can't see the portable USB one though? Cable was fine a few days ago, it's USB3 and brand new as well.

EDIT: Drive works fine in laptop, it installs USB Mass Sotrage Device then Samsung S2 Portable 3 USB Device and then appears as a drive. I think I remember the new PC crashing as I plugged in the USB drive and it may not have installed correctly?

Any ideas to fix this?

bledd · 2 May 2011 at 09:11

Try another USB port

If you're still having problems, then boot from a Ubuntu live cd and see if that picks them up, might need to reinstall if there's a problem with Windows USB drivers

Remember it's best to add new USB devices when Windows is already loaded up (ie, not before turning the PC on)

Destination · 2 May 2011 at 11:51

Its a new USb3 drive, so you will need to install your USB 3 drivers surely, to allow the USB3 ports to be seen in the first place?
Windows7 doesn't have builtin drivers for USB3 ports yet, you will need to add them.

Then hopefully your drive will show up.

robinbredin · 2 May 2011 at 12:18

Hikari Kisugi
Its a new USb3 drive, so you will need to install your USB 3 drivers surely, to allow the USB3 ports to be seen in the first place?
Windows7 doesn't have builtin drivers for USB3 ports yet, you will need to add them.

Then hopefully your drive will show up.

The problem here is that USB 3 is still new. There is only a few retail boards with it on, and none OEM as far as I know. Your USB 3 device will not be plug 'N' play, so it should have the driver on a supplied disc.