Comments on: Hard drive doesn’t appear

By: John

John — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:45:36 +0000

Paul,
Thanks again.
Out of total frustration I purchased another Hard Disk Drive but a different manufacturer to Western Digital who I have had the problems with (with both of their Hard Disk Drives the original and replacement.)
The disk I replaced was from Seagate and worked first time without any of the driver or other hassles.
Again thankyou for your advice.
Regards, John

By: Paul Wallbank

Paul Wallbank — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:45:52 +0000

Hi John,

The drive isn’t being recognised correctly by Windows, so while it’s being picked up as a USB device, isn’t being installed as a Mass Storage Device. Are you using an extension cable or going through a USB hub for the drive?

By: John

John — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:33:46 +0000

Thanks again
Have done all that but the disk is still not showing as available for me to save to.

It shows in device manager but doesn’t appear to be in the list of usb controllers or storage volumes
Regards, John

By: Paul Wallbank

Paul Wallbank — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:00:21 +0000

Hi John, Right click the WDC device and select uninstall then unplug the drive when the removal is complete. Reboot the computer then plug the drive back in. For the drive to be properly recognised it needs to be identified both as a USB and a mass storage device and it sounds like the latter isn't happening.

By: John

John — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:13:13 +0000

Paul,
Thanks again.
I have checked in Device Manager and it lists 4 USB storage devices, then below these is another entry of ST380021A and then below again I believe the Western Digital Disk WDC WD3200AAZKS-00YGA0.
When I double click and get the properties and go to the Details tab it shows as an IDE\WDC_WD3200AAZKS-00YGA0
Hope that all helps

By: John Pini

John Pini — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:06:56 +0000

Thanks again – I will check how Device Manager is recognising the drive tonight and see where that takes me.
Regards, John

By: Paul Wallbank

Paul Wallbank — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:40:47 +0000

If it’s showing up properly in Device Manager then it will show up in the Disk Management section of Computer Management. You’ll have to check Device Manager is recognising it as a hard drive and not as some other USB device. Let us know how you go and we can open another queriy.

By: John

John — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:38:29 +0000

I have tried your suggestions about the XP to 7 upgrade and still have a problem.
When I use open the Computer Management tab you suggested, it does not show any new drive.

In the top section it lists the C and D drives that I already have.

In the bottom section it also lists these as disk 0 and disk 1 but also lists 2, 3, 4, 5 drives as removable drives g,h,i and j as removable drives with no media.

It then lists CD ROM 0 as DVD E.

I have used the Action commands of Refresh and Rescan Disks and still have no luck.

Have also restarted and used different USB ports for the Hard Disk but still not working

Welcome any other suggestions

Regards, John