Windows 7 not recognizing second hard drive

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits
       #1

    Windows 7 not recognizing second hard drive




    Internal hard drive keeps disappearing
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64 bit For some reason my secondary internal drive, a Samsung HD203 WI drive (2Tera), keeps disappearing randomly while windows is running.

    The drive comes back fine and dandy if I completely shut down the machine and then boot it back up. The drive stays until some random moment when Windows doesn't see it anymore. Now, if I do a simple Restart the drive doesn't show up, ONLY after I shut down completely, and push the power button back on, does this work. There is nothing in the System logs, no error messages, nothing, it just vanishes and is completely random.

    I've checked the hard drive with windows and other programs and it never reports any problems, the BIOS detects no problems, even Windows recognizes it for a while, then nothing. I read and old post about a year ago and the OP was told to update the drivers. Ok, I went into Management tools and have click on every single item to update the driver. All has come back that the Drivers are up to date.
    Things I have checked and done thus far:
    1. Checked energy cables, Mother board ATA connection cables.
    2. Went into Disk management changed path and letter of the drive.
    3. Downloaded SeaTools and scanned the drives (no error found)
    4. Change the port for the ATA cable
    5. Just now I disconnected my second DVD drive to see what happens
    The problem is that it happens at random times and sometimes it will be three or four days without an episode.
    Also read that it was a problem with Windows 7 follow the thread to a Hot Fix; well I've downloaded the 64bit and the 32bit versions; upon installation I get the message this update can not be installed in your system.
    I have run out of ideas on what to do. I am not computer savvy, so there is not much I know how to fiddle with. I hope you may be able to help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 292
    windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
       #2

    I went through the hot fixes also with a TB in size HD I have. Finally since I just built a new system, I thought I'd try it in the external docking port. Lo and behold it was recognized. The joy was short lived though as after about the 3d time of this it made loud clunking noises and just completely died. I am glad I got the few files off of it I truly wanted.

    This is a long way of saying just because various tests say a drive is good does not mean it's not on its last gasp.

    My drive was a Samsung SJ103 which had great reviews initially but then I think was found to have "issues". It was the newest and largest and even most infrequently used of my drives which is the head-scratcher.

    Not sure which hot fixes you've tried but google around and you will see something about certain drives not spinning up fast enough when the computers been in hibernation... worth checking into perhaps.
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    Make sure the BIOS is set to monitor SMART. You can also install to your desktop CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World to do this.

    Sometimes this can be due to incorrect or changes in system configuration so if you'll post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map we can look it over for you.

    If there was ever an OS on the HD and it wasn't wiped sometimes boot code can also interfere.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #4

    gregrocker said:
    Make sure the BIOS is set to monitor SMART. You can also install to your desktop CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World to do this.

    Sometimes this can be due to incorrect or changes in system configuration so if you'll post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map we can look it over for you.

    If there was ever an OS on the HD and it wasn't wiped sometimes boot code can also interfere.
    Ok, I am downloading the tool you suggested and I am trying to find out exactly where on this PC is my disk management drive. I am living in Brazil at the moment and this PC is all in Portuguese, which at times posses a problem for me.
    Thanks!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5

    Hard Disk Sentinel is a great tool.

    How old is the drive ? Have you contacted Samsung about the issue ?

    Disk Management: Start>Right Click Computer>Manage, wait a few seconds. Left hand pane click
    Disk Management.
      My Computer

  6.    #6
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Windows 7 not recognizing second hard drive-disk-management.jpg

    Ok Here is the screenshot you'll requested. I am still working on the Bios stuff. Give me some leadway here since is the first time that I'm actually messing with this computer other than installing or uninstalling programs.
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Y is marked Active which a data drive should not be, only an OS drive. I would mark it Inactive using this method: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums.

    If you want a picture of what you're doing, download free Partition Wizard bootable CD ISO, burn to CD using Windows Image Burner, boot CD, rightclick on Y to Modify>Set to Inactive, OK, Apply.

    There is another drive appearing first in the list which doesn't have a letter that is also marked Active and could be causing problems. Unfortunately we cannot see it on the drive map below which needs scrolling, nor can we see its used space because you didn't Maximize the window as requested before capturing it. Can you determine what this drive is and why it has no letter and is marked Active?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    Give Gregs suggestion a try. If that doesn`t work you should get your data off the drive then look into returning it if you can.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Ok, going to check on that right now.Windows 7 not recognizing second hard drive-elevated-command-propmt.jpg

    Ok did the command prompt is not active any more, also I do believe that first disk is a DVD/CD rom drive.

    Been checking on that one drive that has no letter assigment and I have no idea of what it is. It says that is 996MB and there are 996MB free. I only have one external drive, a pen drive I use as readyboot. There is also another DVD drive I unistalled today, basically unplugit, was what I did.
    Last edited by grieralexander; 22 Mar 2012 at 00:42. Reason: New info
      My Computer


 
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