Computer Not Detecting Hard Drive

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.
       #1

    Computer Not Detecting Hard Drive


    Hi,

    I had to reinstall Windows 7. All went well except that computer will now only recognize 1 hard drive. The bios shows a second hard drive, but I cannot find it by going into computer managment. Further, my crappy bios has no features to allow me to manipulate anything.

    A bit of background. I might be responsible for this as I was using a program called "Killdisk" to wipe my hard drive clean. I ended up canceling the job a couple of hours into it as it was taking too long. Since then, I have not been able to view it.

    Yeah... I'm a dumbass.

    Need some ideas and options please.

    The hard drive is 500g. System is Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit.

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #2

    Live Linux CD?


    Do you have access to a Live Linux CD (like Ubuntu)?

    If so:

    • Disconnect your good HDD
    • Reboot your PC with the Live CD in the drive
    • Use the "Try" option (not the "Install" option)
    • Once its booted up, start "GParted"
    • Try to reformat your bad HDD (choose NTFS)

    If you use Ubuntu with Unity you will have to type "Gparted" in the Search box (no quotes).
    Computer Not Detecting Hard Drive-start-gparted-unity.png
    If you are using an older version you should be able to find it in:
    System menu > Administration > Gparted

    Computer Not Detecting Hard Drive-start-gparted.png
    Last edited by lehnerus2000; 02 Oct 2012 at 22:47. Reason: Picture Added
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.
    Thread Starter
       #3

    No.... unfortunatly not - but thanks for the reply.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #4

    You may have to wait ...


    Qcan said:
    No.... unfortunatly not - but thanks for the reply.
    You may have to wait for gregrocker or one of the other HDD experts to "drop in" on this thread.


    I assume that you can't format the HDD using the W7 install disc?

    Remember to disconnect your good HDD, before you try formatting the bad one (just in case).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Correct.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #6

    The one that you can't see, is that your Win 7 disk or another? In your post you said "Computer Management". Do you mean "Disk Management"? Posting a snip of your Disk Management would help. This explains how to use your Snipping Tool and post if you are not familiar with the process. Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums Thanks,
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hi Bigmck,

    Thnaks very much for guiding me re: screenshots and file uploads. If all goes well, the attachment will be enclosed here. Yes, I meant computer management.

    Hope someone can help.

    Thanks.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Computer Not Detecting Hard Drive-capture001.png  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #8

    What about if you hit your Start Button and click on Computer, does the missing HDD show there?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 881
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    You can also check device manager. Maybe windows doesn't have drivers for it.

    Also you can try booting into windows RE see if it shows up.

    Lastly go into diskpart from the command prompt. In windows RE or normal windows type in the command list disk and see how many show up.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.
    Thread Starter
       #10

    What about if you hit your Start Button and click on Computer, does the missing HDD show there?

    *** No.


    You can also check device manager. Maybe windows doesn't have drivers for it.

    *** I ran device driver. The message I got indicated "PCI Simple Communications Controller" - No driver found.
    I did a search.... no driver was found. Not sure if this might be related to the hard drive in question.

    Also you can try booting into windows RE see if it showa up.

    *** Tried it a couple of times.... nothing. Having said that, I can see the hard drive in the BIOS. However, I cannot do anything in my BIOS (crappy BIOS).

    Lastly go into diskpart from the command prompt. In windows RE or normal windows type in the command list disk and see how many show up.

    *** I wasn't too familiar with diskpart... but figured it out from the cmd line. It only recognized 1 HD.

    I just find it weird that my BIOS recognizes it... but nothing else.
      My Computer


 
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