HDD's keeps disappearing Windows 7 Ultimate x32

Hello,
I know this has been posted before but I have gone through every topic on this forum in hope for a solution to my problem. I'm listing below my computer's configuration followed by the problem.

MotherBoard: Intel DH67BL
Processor: Intel Core i7 2600k Sandy Bridge 3.40 GHz
RAM: DD3 4GB
HDD 2x 500GB SATA and 1x 160GB SATA.

Now my problem is the second 500GB Drive keeps disappearing. I have taken all sorts of steps to try and solve the problem. First I started by replacing my SATA Cables and even interchanging the ports still no luck. Then I did a clean format and install of Windows 7 which solved the problem but only for a few days then it vanished again. I downloaded a BIOS Update for my motherboard today and updated it but still no result.

Could anyone help me with this please, it's highly annoying and frustrating

You have updated the Bios. Good.

You had formatted the drive and did a clean install of Windows 7 . Good. What I would be interested to know is whether during the Windows 7 installation you kept the other two drives disconnected?. It is always a good practice to connect the other secondary HDDs only after installing Windows 7 on the Primary HDD.

Once you clean install Windows 7 on the Primary HDD and connect the other two Secondary drives, back up any data on those drives to an external drive.

Check both the Secondary drives with the manufacturer's HDD Diagnostic/repair utility.

Unless those are new HDDs, I would recommend "Write Zeros" using that utility to bring those to the factory condition. You may then do a regular format and start using those drives.

jumanji said:

You have updated the Bios. Good.

You had formatted the drive and did a clean install of Windows 7 . Good. What I would be interested to know is whether during the Windows 7 installation you kept the other two drives disconnected?. It is always a good practice to connect the other secondary HDDs only after installing Windows 7 on the Primary HDD.

Once you clean install Windows 7 on the Primary HDD and connect the other two Secondary drives, back up any data on those drives to an external drive.

Check both the Secondary drives with the manufacturer's HDD Diagnostic/repair utility.

Unless those are new HDDs, I would recommend "Write Zeros" using that utility to bring those to the factory condition. You may then do a regular format and start using those drives.

Hi Jumanji,
I've always been doing this, just connecting the HDD which I want the OS installed on. In fact I got the HDD checked up with the company and they tested it and kept it for 2 weeks and found no problem at all. They were kind enough to replace it with a new HDD with all my Data back. Even with the new HDD it's giving me the same problem.

DocBrown said:

Welcome ryan4 :)

The second HD may be starting to go BAD

Download the Seagate HD utility from the Seagate website and run tests on the HD.

Hey Doc,
There is no sense in installing that because it isn't showing my HDD in the diagnostic. Like it isn't plugged in.

OK. I am always a doubting Thomas.:) .

Are you sure that what Seagate Service gave you as a new HDD with all your data is indeed a new HDD and not the same old HDD?

I would still advise you to run Seatools for DOS from a bootable CD/pen drive and check your Seagate 500GB drive that is playing the game. Please read through all the guidelines/user Instructions on it. If the drive is not accessible to DOS too, then you must take it up with Seatools Support.

If you do not have all the data in it backed up, you may try to backup the data to an external drive booting a Live Linux CD/pen drive. You will also know whether Linux can access it.You have three workouts here in this forum using Mint Mate, Peppermint and Lucid Puppy.

In all cases you may use Rufus - Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way - to create a bootable Linux pen drive with the downloaded Linux ISOs , boot your lappy with it and try recovery onto an external HDD.

Emergency Kit - save your files from a dead OS by whs - Mint Mate

Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup by Golden - Peppermint

Lucid Puppy way to recover files from a non-bootable computer by one jumanji - Lucid Puppy

Take your pick. Personal preferences can vary.

Let us know the results of running Seatools for DOS. ( You will only check the drive and not perform any erase or write zeros unless you have backed up all data in it.)