Sata drive not showing up

dominatrix1 · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:21

I have a sata hard drive installed on my computer along with my IDE drive, however it does not seem to be recognised by the computer once i am in to it. However when the computer starts up it recognises there is a hard drive with 150gb on it , how can i get the computer to pick up the new drive so i can use it??

Plec · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:36

It's usually a dodgy connection - sometimes due to a poor quality or duff cable or the motherboard connection itself.

I had this problem with one if my drives - i replaced the cable for a better quality cable and, voila, fixed it.

It's probably worth the £3 just to eliminate it as a possibilty.

J.B · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:37

Assuming your using windows. Go to Computer Manager in the administrative tools. Then go to Disk Management. If the drive appears in there format it and it should appear in My Computer like your other drive.

Plec · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:39

Re-reading your reply JB's response makes more sense - i presumed it was already in use and was just not getting picked up everytime.

Try the above...

dominatrix1 · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:49

hmm it does not seem to show up in disk management , only the black screen on start up the hard drive is on as it is buzzing which shows i is working, any other ideas?

Plec · 23 Jun 2009 at 15:55

If windows isn't picking it up you could always try formatting it via windows setup.

dominatrix1 · 23 Jun 2009 at 16:01

is that done via inserting the windows disk again and selecting where you would like to copy windows??
because i reformatted today and it did not give me the option then either ???

dominatrix1 · 23 Jun 2009 at 16:08

just unplugged the sata lead from hard drive and sata card, and it no longer picks up the sata drive ahhh this is so annoying

dominatrix1 · 23 Jun 2009 at 16:13

also in bios there is nothing where i can auto detect a sata drive only ide

Plec · 23 Jun 2009 at 16:33

What's your system spec (make and model of MB primarily) and what OS and version are you using?

Windows setup should be able to recognise your SATA drive but if you have a relatively old MB you may be prompted to install ‘mass storage device drivers’ for the SATA drive to be recognised during the Window setup - i can't remember the key – as it’s been a while – I think it’s F6.

If this is the case you will need a floppy with the relevant SATA drivers (mass storage device drivers) for your MB and then insert it when prompted to do so (i.e. after pressing F6) – visit your MB’s download page for the driver.

razer1978 · 24 Jun 2009 at 09:29

Plec said:
What's your system spec (make and model of MB primarily) and what OS and version are you using?

Windows setup should be able to recognise your SATA drive but if you have a relatively old MB you may be prompted to install ‘mass storage device drivers’ for the SATA drive to be recognised during the Window setup - i can't remember the key – as it’s been a while – I think it’s F6.

If this is the case you will need a floppy with the relevant SATA drivers (mass storage device drivers) for your MB and then insert it when prompted to do so (i.e. after pressing F6) – visit your MB’s download page for the driver.

+1 sounds like an old system to me i can't remember he last time i had to install sata drivers durng windows install, i think the first time was whe sata first come out

Ucof · 24 Jun 2009 at 09:43

dominatrix1 said:
just unplugged the sata lead from hard drive and sata card, and it no longer picks up the sata drive ahhh this is so annoying

Iiiiiiiinteresting.

So what you are saying, is that the PC doesn't pick up the hard drive when the cable is disconnected?