Solved Have two optical drives but can only see and use one

[Pedro38]

Just recently finished installing new Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H mobo into existing case and new installation of Win 64bit on a new HDD. I have two HDDs - C and D and two CD/DVD optical drives which should be E & F but am only seeing E - that is, only one of the drives (in both Device Manager, Disk Management and Explorer).

I have proved, by swapping the SATA leads over, that both optical drives work - and their LEDS both blink when I am booting up. They are connected, respectively to SATA ports 6 & 7 on the mobo. Both optical drives worked with the previous MSI mobo before it gave up the ghost. FYI, my HDD 'D' drive holds the previous OS so is effectively not acccessible, though it is visible.

When I go into BIOS Features / Boot Option Priorities / Boot Option #1 or #2, I can see:
PO: WDC WD10EZRX-00A8LBO
SATA PM: TSSTCORP CDDVCW SH-S

However, when I go into CD/DVD ROM Drive BBS Priorities / Boot Option #1 or #2, I see:
SATA PM: TSSTCORP CDDVCW SH-S
SATA PS: TSSTCORP CDDVCW SH-S

From this, it would appear that the BIOS is seeing both of the optical drives

I don't know if it is of any relevance, but under CSM support / Display Boot Option Control it is set for Legacy Only.

Any assistance to see and use both optical drives will be appreciated.
Thanks Pedro

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum Pedro mate just what is showing up in Computer management like in my pic.

 

[TVeblen]

"They are connected, respectively to SATA ports 6 & 7 on the mobo"

On most intel processor based motherboards ports 1 through 6 are standard SATA ports to the intel chipset. Additional ports past 6 are usually on a separate SATA controller (a Marvel controller or similar) as a MB manufacturer added feature.

Check to see if:

1. the additional SATA controller is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings
2. the additional driver for that controller has been installed.

EDIT:
Mmmm. Gigabyte numbers ports 0-5 on the intel chipset, and 6-7-8 on the Marvel.
But it says there are two Marvel Controller chips. Are both active in BIOS?




Edit Edit:
I would not put optical drives on 6Gbit/sec ports anyway. Use the 3Gbit ports for those.

 

[Pedro38]

Thx TVeblen and ICit2lol for your input,

I have, in effect, solved my problem by connecting the second optical drive to SATA2 port 4 on the Intel chipset. The other is still connected to GSATA3 port 6 on the Marvel 88SE9172 Chipset (which only provides 6 and 7), and I can now see and use Drives 'E' and 'F'. I take your point and the two HDDs are connected to SATA3 6GB/ ports '0' and '1'.

I'm very much a BIOS novice but as far as I can see, under Peripherals, I only have one Marvell controller which indicates being enabled for AHCI and shows '0' (6) port occupied with an optical drive and '1' (7) port 'Not present'.
Presumably if one of the Marvell ports 'works' it should mean that the appropriate driver has been installed.

Incidentally, this is not my pc, but one I have rebuilt for my sister, so I haven't listed its specs

Anyway, I'm good now, so thanks again.
Pedro