Hard drive keeps dropping/disappearing

adamg64 · 7 Apr 2019 at 19:03

Hello guys,

Could anybody help with a HDD issue im having currently its possibly just on its way out but worth a shot asking here if its salvageable first.

I run an SSD for windows and a Seagate 3TB 3.5" SATA Desktop Hard Drive for storage and Games (Steam) for past couple of weeks noticed some of the games running a little sluggish and a few days ago my HDD just disappeared from "My computer" etc.

Did abit of googling first so i tried switching SATA cables but still no joy the other drives moved around no issues.

Now when i scan for hardware changes some times it pops back up and appears can access files and stuff but get mixed problems with running games some times they dont work some times they wont, Some times they crash few mins into it.

Could anybody recommend anything as a last resort? Reformating it aint an option just yet as there's some import files on there which are currently accessible but dunno how long for...

Plec · 7 Apr 2019 at 23:09

adamg64 said:
Could anybody recommend anything as a last resort? Reformating it aint an option just yet as there's some import files on there which are currently accessible but dunno how long for...

Backing up to another drive immediately 'is' the last resort if you suspect the drive is dying/faulty.

If the drive has an underlying fault there's nothing you want to do other than back up and replace the drive. You can run drive health checkers but if you suspect the drive has a connection issue this won't get picked up if it happens to have a solid connection during the test.

Have you tried a different motherboard SATA connection?

But, if the the mechanical drive is at fault you need to cut your losses and be thankful its given you enough warning to back up data.

Rannoch · 7 Apr 2019 at 23:15

As above. Always backup import files to at least one other drive.

adamg64 · 8 Apr 2019 at 07:42

Thanks for the comments, i decided to purchase late last night and new drive will land today, I get it installed and back it up to the new drive tonight.

Could i ask should i use a program to back it up or just a straight forward copy and paste?

adamg64 · 8 Apr 2019 at 19:55

New HDD landed, now i cannot get my computer to pick up the old drive now to start the backup of data

over the past few days i just ran the "scan hardware changes" and it usually just picked it up eventually no joy tonight anybody recommend anything to try?

Rannoch · 8 Apr 2019 at 20:32

Does it show in disk manager?

JR1 · 8 Apr 2019 at 22:43

Hi Adam,

This sounds worrying. Adding the new drive wont have affected the old one. Is it seen by the BIOS? and if so as Vargas asks - is it seen in Disk Manager?

Is it still spinning? if not the check the cables again.

You could try putting it in an external USB enclosure to see if this enables access.

Fingers crossed for you.

Regds, JR

p.s. using backup software to clone a drive is a lot faster than just copying files across using Windows