Windows Vista - Desktop Hard Drive Not Detected
There are multiple reasons why a hard disk drive may not be detected:
- A drive is not physically present, not properly connected, or the configuration jumpers are not properly set.
Note: Drive jumper settings are not applicable to SATA (Serial ATA) drives.
- The drive and/or drive cables are defective.
- The power supply may be defective having the power cable that is connected to the drive not active.
- The drive interface supported by the motherboard or an add-in card is defective, not properly configured, disabled, or does not support the attached drive.
- In a PATA master/slave configuration, the two drives (master and slave) may conflict.
If a BIOS update that corrects this specific problem is available; install the update and then verify the problem is solved.
When connected directly to the motherboard:
- Check the hard drive settings in the BIOS setup utility.
The drive names presented in BIOS Setup are typically the drive manufacturer's model names. They may not indicate the drive type (CD, DVD R/W, hard drive, etc.). Use the model name to cross-reference model number in specifications on product pages.
Use the drive identification information both to determine which drives are not identified, and also to determine which drives are identified. If a drive is identified at a given SATA or IDE port, it is likely that the port to which the drive is connected, the cable that connects the drive to that port, and the power connector from the power supply to the drive, are all good. You can use this information in the procedures that follow to attempt to identify the reason that a particular drive is not identified:
Note: If a drive name and/or size appear to be incorrect, you cannot find a match on the product pages, and cannot web browse the drive name; assume that the drive, cable, and port connection may be bad. There may have been a read failure associated with one of those components.
If you can determine the proper BIOS Setup configuration for the system, set setup defaults, and then correct any required non-default settings.
On most systems, you can use the following instructions. However, there could be exception in which you will need to refer to the system documentation for specific instructions
- Press the power button to start the computer.
- Tap the F2 or F1 key repeatedly until the BIOS Setup Utility Main page is displayed.
Note: A message is displayed on the screen as to which key should be pressed.
- Press the F9 key to load Setup Defaults.
- Correct any required non-default settings (pay special attention to RAID settings).
- Press the F10 key to save changes and exit Setup.
- Re-enter the BIOS Setup Utility using the F1 or F2 key.
- Check the Setup Drive Configuration noting changes to the list of drives that have been identified within the BIOS.
- Determine whether the changes made in the BIOS Setup Utility have corrected the problem.
- Open the computer case and reseat cables.
Note: Whenever you open the computer, be aware of Electro-Static Discharge (ESD). Be sure that the computer is unplugged before doing anything inside the case. There is risk of electrical shock or damage to the computer if proper ESD procedures are not followed.
- Shut down the system - Press the power button, and ensure that the system shuts down.
- Remove the case cover.
- Unplug the power cable.
- Reseat any cables that do not appear to be properly connected.
- Determine whether all hard drives spin up. Power on the computer.
- If only one hard drive is configured, you may be able to clearly hear it spin up.
- If multiple hard drive are configured, you may be able to feel them spin up and spin down:
- Touch a drive with your finger tips and recycle power.
- Repeat the above for each drive.
- Beware that if drives are closely positioned, when touching a given drive the vibration that you feel when recycling power may be from an adjacent drive.
- You may need to repeat this test with the power connectors disconnected from adjacent drives.
Note: Turn off power and unplug the power cable prior to making any adjustments.
- Restore all power connectors when you have completed testing hard drive spin up.
- If you discover a drive that does not spin-up, turn off power and unplug the power cable prior to making any adjustments. Reseat the drives power connector and power up.
- If the above fails, connect a similar power connector.
- If possible, swap power connectors with a drive that does spin up.
- Power up and determine whether the drive now spins up. If it does spin up after swapping the power connector, the power supply may be defective.
- Continue testing with all available power connectors.
PATA hard drives only
- Check all PATA drive jumper settings (include hard drives and any other drives that are connected to the same data cable) making sure that they are set to cable select.
- Check for bent or broken pins at both the hard drive and motherboard. If there are no broken pins, check cable orientation, then reconnect the cable to the motherboard and hard drive.
- If two drives are connected to the same cable disconnect the drive connected to the bottom connector. If the connected drive now works, try reconfiguring the top drive jumper as Master, and the lower drive connector as Slave.
SATA hard drive
- Check for bent or broken pins at both the hard drive and the motherboard.
- Try connecting the drive data cable to the other SATA connectors on the motherboard.
- If possible, try a different data cable.
- If available, test the hard disk drives in another computer.
When connected through a Controller Card
Hard drive controller cards typically have commands for entering the respective setup utility. Reference the product information for the controller. The product information states:
- The correct keystroke sequence for entering the setup utility for the controller.
- If the setup utility identifies drives that are attached to the controller card.
- If the setup utility supports options for enabling or disabling the ports/connectors for the drives.
- Methods for troubleshooting problems applicable to the card and to the devices that are connected to it.
- If you can boot to Windows, verify the controller card is properly identified in Device Manager. Check on the General tab for the message that the device is working properly.
Note: Whenever you open the computer, be aware of Electro-Static Discharge (ESD). Be sure that the computer is unplugged before doing anything inside the case. There is risk of electrical shock or damage to the computer if proper ESD procedures are not followed.
- Shut down the computer and open the computer case. Reference product information for the respective chassis for the case lid removal process.
- Disconnect the power cable for the chassis.
- Reseat the controller card. If possible, place it in a different slot.
- Reseat the data cables at the controller card and the hard disk drives.
- Reseat the power cables to the hard disk drives.
- Reconnect the power cable to the chassis and verify if the hard disk drive spins up.
- If only one hard drive is configured you may be able to clearly hear it spin up.
- If multiple hard drive are configured, you may be able to feel them spin up, and spin down:
- Touch a drive with your finger tips and recycle power.
- Repeat the above procedure for each drive.
Note: If drives are closely positioned, when touching a given drive the vibration that you feel when recycling power may be from an adjacent drive.
- You may need to repeat this test with the power connectors disconnected from adjacent drives.
- If you discover a drive that does not spin-up, turn off power and then unplug the power cable prior to making any adjustments
- Reseat the drives power connector and power up.
- If the above fails, connect a similar power connector. If possible swap power connectors with a drive that does spin up.
- Power up and determine whether the drive now spins up. If it does spin up after swapping the power connector, the power supply may be defective.
- Continue testing with all available power connectors.
PATA hard drives only
- Check all PATA drive jumper settings (include hard drives and any other drives that are connected to the same data cable) making sure that they are set to cable select.
- Check for bent or broken pins at both the hard drive and motherboard. If there are no broken pins, check cable orientation, then reconnect the cable to the motherboard and hard drive.
- If two drives are connected to the same cable disconnect the drive connected to the bottom connector. If the connected drive now works, try reconfiguring the top drive jumper as Master, and the lower drive connector as Slave.
SATA hard drive
- Check for bent or broken pins at both the hard drive and the motherboard.
- Try connecting the drive data cable to the other SATA connectors on the motherboard.
- If possible, try a different data cable.
- If available, test the hard disk drives in another computer.
If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of
the following methods:
