Windows not detecting internal HDDS


  1. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
       #1

    Windows not detecting internal HDDS


    Hi Guys

    I recently had Windows 7 Pro installed onto my 80GB HDD.
    This was the only HDD plugged in when the installation too place.

    Now, when I plug in either of my other internal HDDs, windows will not detect either.
    I have tried different jumper and IDE cable settings but it will not detect either of the other hard drives.

    Any ideas?



    Also, while im thinking about it, what is the best way to set up in terms of HDDS and IDE cables and jumpers?

    I guess windows 7 should be plugged into IDE 1 Primary
    Does it matter if i used IDE 1 secondary or IDE 2 primary/secdondary for disc drives and other internal hard drives?
    Should I have my windows HDD jumper set to 'master with slave' and any other HDD(s) set to 'slave'?

    Cheers
    Soph
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    I would always use the first IDE port and the primary position for my system drive. It shouldn't matter where you put the rest of the drives, though, as long as you jumper them properly.

    If these drives are partitioned and have data, then make sure the jumpers are correct and that the data and power cables are plugged in securely. If they are blank drives, you may have to go into Disk Management to format them and assign drive letters. Another way to tell is in the BIOS. If they show there, then you should see them in Disk Management. If they don't show in the BIOS, you may have a cabling issue.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Cheers for the reply :)

    I'm trying out the simplest set up first to try and identify the problem

    80GB Windows plugged into IDE 1 Primary, jumper 'master with slave'
    320GB data plugged into IDE 2 Primary, jumper 'slave'

    The drive is not showing up when I got to My computer

    I know the IDE cable and power cable work, because if I plug them into my dvd drive, then my dvd drive works.

    Any ideas?
    p.s how does whether a drive is partitioned or not and if it has data effect how the jumpers should be set?


    How do i check the BIOS?
    When i go into BIOS at start up it doesnt list my drives?

    Or do you mean the writing when my PC turns on and detects hardware?
    - that dissapears so quick I cant read it. Although i do remember there is a way to make this appear for longer but I cant remember how

    I'm a beginner at all this, i'm trying to learn as much as possible though

    Any help or ideas would be great
    Soph
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #4

    Have a look at this mate.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #5

    kingmonkeywoman said:
    80GB Windows plugged into IDE 1 Primary, jumper 'master with slave'
    320GB data plugged into IDE 2 Primary, jumper 'slave'
    The 80 GB should be Master, but there should be a setting for a Master without slave, maybe just called Master. Your current setting expects a slave drive.
    The 320 GB should be Master as well, if it is the only drive on the cable.
    kingmonkeywoman said:

    how does whether a drive is partitioned or not and if it has data effect how the jumpers should be set?
    It doesn't have any affect. I was just asking as a troubleshooting step, to see where the problem may be...hardware or software.
    kingmonkeywoman said:
    Or do you mean the writing when my PC turns on and detects hardware?
    - that dissapears so quick I cant read it. Although i do remember there is a way to make this appear for longer but I cant remember how
    There is always a key to press after power on to access the BIOS, such as F2, or Del, etc. It should say which key to press on the screen.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Bare Foot Kid said:
    Have a look at this mate.
    Ah cheers, simple yet really helpfull!!

    DeaconFrost said:
    The 80 GB should be Master, but there should be a setting for a Master without slave, maybe just called Master. Your current setting expects a slave drive.
    The 320 GB should be Master as well, if it is the only drive on the cable.
    Ahhh I see, the master and slave applie to each seperate IDE, I thought it just applied to the HDDs in general regardless of IDE port, that makes more sense now, cheers!




    Right after fiddling around all day i'm finally getting somewere!!

    My set up is:

    IDE 1 primary: 80GB windows 7 (no jumper)
    IDE 1 secondary: empty
    IDE 2 primary: 20GB ubuntu (jumper: Master with slave)
    IDE 2 secondary: 320GB data (jumper: slave)

    Windows7 and ubuntu were installed seperately with only one HDD plugged in at the time.

    When I start up the comp, if I go into into BIOS I can boot with windows 7 or boot with ubuntu and both can read the 320GB data drive... whaaaaaaay!!!




    I have a quick question. I currently have three IDE HDDs and when I buy a longer IDE cable I want to change that to three IDE HHDs plus an IDE DVD drive
    - is there any way that plugging so much into my motherboard/power pack (?) is asking a lot of it and may slowly kill it??
    I don't want to overwork it type thing...??



    Next i need to fiddle with ubuntu
    - it seems to have gone a bit weird, the graphics are a bit screwed. I'll do a fresh install soon

    but...

    Should i keep the current set up
    OR
    replace the 20GB IDE ubuntu with a 40GB SATA ubuntu

    I have no experience with SATA but i have a spare 40GB SATA HDD
    Obviously 40GB would be better because its bigger.... but are there any disadvantages from mixing SATA and IDE drives, espcially when I want to boot from both??

    Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

    Cheers for all the help guys!!
    Soph
      My Computer


 

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