Solved Second hard drive not getting recognized...all the time.

A

aintrite

Member
Ok so I added a second hard drive sometime ago and have been dealing with this problem ever since and have searched and searched but I have never found a fix for it. For some reason I just remember about this site and all the help I got from you guys with another problem I had so hopefully you can do the same with this one. I did search and didn't really find a thread that pertained to my exact problem so here it is.

As I said, I added a second hard drive to my Dell computer running Vista Home premium 64 bit. I couldn't get it to recognize it at first then with some restarting and un plugging and plugging it in I finally got it to work....until I shut my computer down again. Start it back up again and it wouldn't recognize it again. I did the same process got it to work again but then the same thing happened. i found out I had plugged it into the wrong sata port...so I changed ports and restarted it and still didn't work....then do the same process to get it working. So I really just want to figure this out and get it working properly. When I plug it in and go into bios it doesn't even recognize it there. So any help from you guys would very much appreciated. Anymore information please ask and i will do my best to provide you with it.

Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    AMD Phenom9750 Quad Core 2.4G
    Motherboard
    Dell 0F896N
    Memory
    8g of Kingston DDR2 PC2-6400(400mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDT72103SLA360 ATA
Hello and welcome back to the forum and Have you tried this.

First go to your start menu.
Click user Guides
Click upgradeing and servicing
In the drop down menu scroll down to where it says, ADDING OR REPLACING HARD DISK DRIVE and then follow what it says and then get back to me if you don't understand something.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    a6530f Desktop
    CPU
    HP-PAVILION
    Motherboard
    M2N68-LA (Narra3)
    Memory
    8 Gigs of Ram/DDR2 PC2-6400 MB/sec
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Sound Card
    Intergrated Realtex ALC888S Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W40 series widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    1 640 GB Sata transfer rating: 3.0 Gb/sec speed: 7200 RPM
    PSU
    300W
    Case
    Mid-Size ATX
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia Keyboard
    Other Info
    Processor: AMD Phenom X3 8450 Operating speed: Up to 2.1 GHz, Number of cores: 3, Socket: AM2+, Bus speed: 3600 MHz HT3 (clocked down to 2000 MHz) Modem: 56K WinModem/ Supermulti: 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X Ram (+/-)R DL Lightscribe SATA Drive Menory Card Reader: 15-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader Media Drive
Check that Vista is not trying to give it a letter that is already in use.
To do this plug it in and go to start menu.
Right click on Computer and click Manage.
Then go to Storage,Disk Management.
Is it showing up here?
If it is highlight it and give it another letter.
Not a,b,c,d,
Post back with results.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD 1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp 1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm 1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset. Only ever used a laptop. Also use USB Freeview TV Card Lenovo Docking Station External Speakers Other bits a pieces as needed
I think it might have gotten ruined or something because it doesn't work at all now. I tried and tried today to get it to work, the way I used to and nothing so I guess I'll just buy another one after i try what americancritic has suggested.

But to answer the other questions...

it was already labeled G drive.

And no as I mentioned before it wasn't showing up in BIOS.

americancritic I don't have that option in my start up menu and searched for it but only came up with a few guides but they were for some programs I have.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    AMD Phenom9750 Quad Core 2.4G
    Motherboard
    Dell 0F896N
    Memory
    8g of Kingston DDR2 PC2-6400(400mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDT72103SLA360 ATA
Hi aintrite,

I believe those features mentioned by americancritic are only available on HP computers (and in other ways on some other types of computers) and come on software included during the installation at the factory or available later by download - I am not aware of any such options available in Vista itself. Without knowing anything about your computer, I don't know if it has anything equivalent.

However, that information (essentially what amounts to help and support guides) may be available from your computer manufacturer on their website or by contacting technical support. We don't have enough information to determine if the new hard drive is compatible with your computer and/or your operating system or has the proper drivers or is properly connected (you did not complete the system specs and did not provide any of that information in your post so we know nothing about manufacturers, makes, and models or anything else that would help us help you). If you want us to help you here, you need to provide as much information as possible on the computer and the drive (and, if possible, links to the manufacturer web sites directly to the specific items).

The fact that BIOS doesn't recognize it suggests there's some type of connection or compatibility issue. You may want to check if your computer manufacturer has updated BIOS available and, if so, flash them to see if that resolves the problem.

If possible, can you send us a screenshot of disk management with the drive installed and showing it is G? I'd like to see what else it says about it and have so many questions that a screenshot would be much easier.

If you can access the drive somehow, perhaps some diagnostics would help to see if there's an issue with the drive itself. To test your hard drive, try HD Diagnostic (http://www.carrona.org/hddiag.html) or this test: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp (http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287). If it fails the tests, replace it. If it passes the tests, then there's probably nothing wrong with it.

I hope this helps or at least helps us to focus in on the cause so we can attempt to resolve the problem. Is the drive still under warranty so you can get a refund or replacement or is it too late for that (or was it obtained in a way where that doesn't apply)?

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive] Dell AIO Printer A940 Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem 6TO4 Adapter Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Microsoft ISATAP Adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Router Linksys / WRT54G -01

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD 1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp 1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm 1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset. Only ever used a laptop. Also use USB Freeview TV Card Lenovo Docking Station External Speakers Other bits a pieces as needed
Hello Aintrite I am very glad that a lot of forum members have stepped in on this one and I will try and get you a link on help and support. So please hang there and things wil get better.


Americancritic
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    a6530f Desktop
    CPU
    HP-PAVILION
    Motherboard
    M2N68-LA (Narra3)
    Memory
    8 Gigs of Ram/DDR2 PC2-6400 MB/sec
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Sound Card
    Intergrated Realtex ALC888S Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W40 series widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    1 640 GB Sata transfer rating: 3.0 Gb/sec speed: 7200 RPM
    PSU
    300W
    Case
    Mid-Size ATX
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia Keyboard
    Other Info
    Processor: AMD Phenom X3 8450 Operating speed: Up to 2.1 GHz, Number of cores: 3, Socket: AM2+, Bus speed: 3600 MHz HT3 (clocked down to 2000 MHz) Modem: 56K WinModem/ Supermulti: 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X Ram (+/-)R DL Lightscribe SATA Drive Menory Card Reader: 15-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader Media Drive
ilikefree said:
Well its good that it shows up in disc management. This may also help.
TestDisk - CGSecurity
Click to expand...
It doesn't show up in disc management, matter of fact it doesn't show up anywhere.

I hook it up and it's like I never hooked anything up. I'm wondering if maybe my bios needs updating. I will search around and find the best way to do that and install those if need be and see if that will help. i will also work on getting my spec filled out as much as I know, it's a Dell so I don't know what kind of motherboard and a few other things it has.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    AMD Phenom9750 Quad Core 2.4G
    Motherboard
    Dell 0F896N
    Memory
    8g of Kingston DDR2 PC2-6400(400mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDT72103SLA360 ATA
Ok thanks for the help. I love this forum, i need to remember this forum and just visit here often and learn. Anyway I updated BIOS and it works like a charm.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    AMD Phenom9750 Quad Core 2.4G
    Motherboard
    Dell 0F896N
    Memory
    8g of Kingston DDR2 PC2-6400(400mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 4350
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 19"
    Screen Resolution
    1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HDT72103SLA360 ATA
Hi aintrite,

Excellent news - I thought that might help fix the problem (and why, besides asking for information, it was my very first suggestion). Well done getting it updated!

It was our pleasure. Glad we could assist you. That's why we're here.

Thanks for the feedback and the kind words - they are appreciated.

I will mark this thread as solved.

And welcome to Vista Forums! Now that you know where we are, bookmark the site and post anytime you have further questions or problems or if you just want to browse and learn (especially the Tutorial section offers some excellent advice on a wide variety of topics) or even if you want to try to help answer a question if you happen to see one where you know the answer and it hasn't already been posted. While it most likely won't be us the next time (though it might), there are many very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people here who, like us, volunteer their time to help others and one or maybe even several will respond to your post to assist you. While there are other forums on the web that do this sort of thing, you've now found what I think is the best (and I've posted in and/or checked out quite a few) so don't lose this link - you never know when it might come in handy again.

Good luck and best wishes!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive] Dell AIO Printer A940 Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem 6TO4 Adapter Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Microsoft ISATAP Adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
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