You don't give us any system information, but here's what pops into my head off hand;
Your BIOS may not be addressing the drive properly, so it can't present it to the OS, so to speak.
Check your BIOS settings and tinker with them a bit. See if that helps.
System Manufacturer/Model Number Dell Optiplex OS Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Memory 4096
11 Aug 2012
willtoy
Wid 7 home premium 32 bit
2 posts
Microsoft o/s win 7 home premium 32bit
version 6.1.7601. service pack 1 build 7601
model hp pavilion a6120a
x86 based pc
processor intel core 2 cpu 4400@ 2.oo ghz, 2000mhz 2cores
bios vers/date phoenix tech, ltd 5.17 4/40/2007 smbios ver 2.4
installed physical ram 2.00gb
total virtual memory 3.98gb
Motherboard is leonite2-gl8e (asus)
the wd 320gb drive is primary with Windows 7 oper sys
the drive in question is a wd green caviar 500gb
the smart shows ncq none
transfer p10 0