External HDD wont show in my computer

[Lanthus20]

I have many files stored on an external HDD. But it won't connect. It will be plugged in, turned on, and windows 7 will do the little bing to tell me it's connected, but it doesn't say it is anywhere! My computer won't pick it up, neither will devices and printers. I REALLY need help here, there are so many files that are important to me i.e. family photo's on there.

 

[Jacee]

Do you have a couple other ports that you could try? I have my external hard drive plugged into the back of my tower. It's picked up immediately when I turn it on.

 

[whest]

Can you look in the in the bios and see if you have AHCI enabled in sata configuration or disk configuration, also is the connection USB or Esata? Can you find the name of your motherboard also? Can you also go into diskmanagement and see whether its available there:
Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Computer Management - Diskmanagement.
If it is showing right click the drive, and see what options are available.