New HDD disappearing from Windows 7

[okami 11x]

So, this is a nightmare.

On Friday, I purchased a Seagate 1TB HDD (link) and plugged it into my computer. It worked for about 15 minutes then completely disappeared from Windows. I originally thought it was my PSU since my computer was underpowered with a 400W PSU. I replaced it with a Corsair GS800 and still had this issue. I returned the HDD and got a replacement (same model). Still wouldn't stay in Windows. Today, I returned it and got a different Seagate model (link) and lo-and-behold, it still lasts only 15 minutes at max before disappearing from Windows 7.

I downloaded SeaTools to see what it said on each of the HDDs.
First: didn't even pass the Short Generic test
Second: passed the Short Generic but failed the Long Generic
Current: passed the Short Generic but failed the Long Generic

When the HDDs disappear from Windows, it cannot be found anywhere until I restart the computer. It's gone from Windows Explorer. It's gone from Device Manager. It's gone from the partition wizard.

• I have used the SATA cables that came with the HDDs. (so a brand new one each time)
• I have used multiple SATA 6.0Gbps ports (haven't tried a 3.0Gbps port yet).
• This issue is present with both of my PSUs so I don't believe it has something to do with power.
• I've looked on the MOBO and have not found any blown capacitors (a friend of mine suggested this).
• I have not done anything with BIOS yet

My computer's hardware is as follows:
Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Intel i7-3770K Ivy 3.5GHz processor
Intel DZ77GAL-70K (visual BIOS)
Intel SSD 520 180GB [C drive]
Samsung HD501LJ 500GB HDD [D drive]
ST380811AS 80GB HDD [E drive]
WDC WD5000AADS-00S9B0 500GB HDD [F drive]
System Reserved 100 MB [G drive]
LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20ALS [I drive]
Corsair Vengence 16GB (4x4GB) RAM
Nvidia GTX 550ti 2GB Graphics Card

The 'faulty' HDDs are never initialized when I first plug them in. I initialize them and partition them to be my H drive.

I have one 3.0Gbps SATA port available but since these HDDs are 6.0Gbps, I didn't try it. I have tried both of my available 6.0Gbps ports and both have this issue. I believe I have a PCI SATA card if it'd be useful for troubleshooting.

Something of note:
I had two BSOD errors when I had the second HDD installed. One while playing DmC Devil May Cry and the other overnight so I didn't see when it happened. I can post those dump files if people want them.

I hope that this is something either faulty with Seagate HDDs or where I need to update a driver cuz replacing anything else is gonna be expensive.

 

[Cr00zng]

Your Seagate HDDs have, quote:

Data Transfer Rate to/from Interface Up to 6 Gbps

What it means is that it is compatible with SATA 6 interface, but will not make the HDD to transfer at SATA 6 rate. Use the SATA 3 ports for HDDs, even SATA 3 max transfer rates are faster than the HDD's capabilities.

Is your SSD on the SATA 6 port, like the HDDs?

Check your BIOS version and update, if it is available.

 

[okami 11x]

Oh, thanks for the info

My SSD is on SATA 6. Two of the three other HDDs are on SATA 3 while one is on Sata 6 for some reason. The troublesome seagate is on Sata 6.

I'll give my BIOS a check right now.

 

[okami 11x]

I'll give a quick update.

I tried a BIOS update but it just sat there so I restarted.

I moved the Seagate to a Sata 3 and so far so good. I'm in the middle of a Long Generic test but it's going on longer than normal so that's a good sign. We'll see if it stays this way

 

[okami 11x]

OK it looks like that was the issue. Is that normal for Seagate drives to not like the Sata 6 ports?

It now passes:

• Short Generic
• Long Generic
• SMART Check
• Short Drive Self Test

So why does SATA 6 not work for these Seagates? Is this Seagate's fault? What if I want to add another HDD to my computer? Which kind will work in a Sata 6 (since that's all I have left now)?

In the pic, starting from bottom right and moving up then left one column (bottom) and move up et cetera: Blue and Grey are SATA6. Both blue are filled. Both grey are not. I tried using the grey ports for my Seagate HDDs

 

[alphanumeric]

Keep in mind that a mechanical drive "spinner" will never come close to even SATA 3 speeds. It may state that it is SATA 6 interface compatible but it will never ever come close to SATA 6 speeds. It's overkill plugging a spinner drive into that interface and won't make it run faster. It sounds good from a marketing stand point and push comes to shove, if that's all you have available, it should work in a SATA 6 port. In real life you will run into the odd occasion where it just doesn't work correctly. It's hard to say why? Hardware? Driver? Or a combination of both? I don't know?

 

[Cr00zng]

To my recollection the Intel Z77 chipset supports two SATA 6 ports, the two additional SATA 6 ports are provided by the Marvell chipset. You should check your manual for the color coding of these ports; the chances are that the blue ones are managed by the Z77 chipset, while the gray ones are handled by the Marvell chipset. You probably did, but have to ask; did you install the Marvell drivers?

Keep in mind that the Marvell chipset utilizes a single PCI lane (max 5 Gb/s) and its transfer rate does not support SATA 6 (6 Gb/s) transfer rate.

I use Seagate HDDs, all of them are one TBs, with two different systems and never had an issue with these drives. The Intel managed SATA 6 ports got the SSDs, while the Marvell managed SATA 6 ports have the eSATA drives and the internal HDDs/DVDs are connected to the SATA 3. Plugging in the HDD to the internal Marvell SATA 6 ports provides hot-plug capabilities, which I don't need.