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Computer not reading external hard drive?

Why isn't my computer reading my slave hard drive i just installed?

  • I just installed a sata hdd and connected it to my power supply and the sata cable outlets on my motherboard, but when i started my computer it just started as it usually did, and it ...show more

  • Answer:

    Check the bios to see if you need to enable the sata port. Might be disabled. I don't think sata drives have jumpers anymore. Drive may also need to be partitioned and formatted. Right click on computer, and click manage. Go to disk management and right click on the unformatted drive for the options to partition and format.

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when the computer starts up and it reads the hard drive, it will display them at the POST screen. if you have a western digital it will say something like WDC-J50000AC and it should also have your cd drives. Some computers hide this, so look for some that says, hit F5 for POST screen, or Details or something. You can also go into the BIOS setup, when the computer starts up it will say Hit 'Delete' or F10 to enter setup. Look around in there and you should find some hard drive settings. Check the pins on the HD, if any, and set them how you want (usually a power standby option if anything). SATA doesn't use MASTER/SLAVE pins like IDE, but you do have to be sure they are plugged into the correct slot on the motherboard. Even though they say SATA 1, SATA 2, etc. the motherboard manual may tell you to use slot one first, then 3, then 2, then 4. Also, if you have to install raid drivers and crap (which isn't common any more) you'll have to follow the installation instruction that it comes with. If you don't find it in the Windows Device Manager after that, try using software that your HD's company offers. Like Western Digital has Data LifeGuard tools, or something like that, and it's helped me with a drive that windows wouldn't show.

Martin

see if it's in the device manager

grizz

Start by checking your jumper settings, then make sure all the cables/connectors are seated properly. When you boot your system go into your BIOS settings and make sure the drive has been detected. Once you do all that, windows should detect the drive. If not, right click on My Computer and choose manage. The go to disk management. Sometimes the drive is there, but you just need to partition & format.

Michael808

If you simply connected it, its a storage device and you should see it in my computer

DrDave

Did you made sure you setup your jumpers on the back of your HD correctly. MASTER and SLAVE.

Chris Sanchez

check hdd jumber's and set it to slave, if it's correct use another power and sata cable to see if they're Ok

netman.mcse

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