2nd hdd not showing in My Computer

[Guest]

Hello,

I've added a 2nd hard drive (Hitachi deskstar 160gb) to my system (XP sp2).
I want it purely as space to store (mostly) video - so I set the jumpers to
SLAVE.

Fitted in easily, it shows up in device manager and Belarc and Everest and
all claim there is no problem with this device - but it doesn't show in My
Computer?

I haven't partitioned or formatted it - in fact I've done nothing except
plug it in (IDE and power)
Do I need to do this to get it to show in My Computer? If so, how do I do
it? I tried to use Disk Management (right click My Computer - Manage) but it
only shows my original hdd.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Sh

 

[Guest]

Right click on "My Computer" and select "Manage". Computer Management"
windows pops up, clicl on "Disk Management" under "Storage" and on the lower
right hand window you should see your drive. Right click on it and select
"Mark partition as active" and if I remember correctly it will ask you to
format it.

-Javi0084

 

[Guest]

Sorry I didn't read the part where you said you went into Computer
Management. Does it show up in your BIOS?

 

[Anna]

Hello,

I've added a 2nd hard drive (Hitachi deskstar 160gb) to my system (XP
sp2).
I want it purely as space to store (mostly) video - so I set the jumpers
to
SLAVE.

Fitted in easily, it shows up in device manager and Belarc and Everest and
all claim there is no problem with this device - but it doesn't show in My
Computer?

I haven't partitioned or formatted it - in fact I've done nothing except
plug it in (IDE and power)
Do I need to do this to get it to show in My Computer? If so, how do I do
it? I tried to use Disk Management (right click My Computer - Manage) but
it
only shows my original hdd.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Sh

shoulderhead:
Yes, you have to partition/format the new HDD before it's usable by the
operating system. The fact that it's not partitioned/formatted explains why
it isn't listed in My Computer.

But it should be initially recognized in Disk Management...

Ordinarily, when you access the DM utility with a new HDD correctly
connected, a message will pop up indicating the drive must be initialized.
It's a simple step that's undertaken in DM. Following the initialization of
the new HDD it can be partitioned/formatted in DM.

But you say the HDD is not detected in Disk Management. So do this...

Shut down the machine, disconnect that new HDD, and boot with just your boot
drive connected. Shut down and machine and reconnect the new HDD. Make
certain that you've properly connected & configured (jumpered) that disk.
Then boot.

If still experiencing problems try connecting the new HDD on another IDE
channel, either as Master or Slave.

Try a different data (ribbon) cable.

Check out the HDD with a HDD diagnostic utility you can download from
Hitachi's site. (The fact that the drive is detected in the BIOS does not
guarantee that it's non-defective).

And you're absolutely sure you've properly connected/configured that new
HDD, yes?
Anna

 

[Sharon F]

Hello,

I've added a 2nd hard drive (Hitachi deskstar 160gb) to my system (XP sp2).
I want it purely as space to store (mostly) video - so I set the jumpers to
SLAVE.

Fitted in easily, it shows up in device manager and Belarc and Everest and
all claim there is no problem with this device - but it doesn't show in My
Computer?

I haven't partitioned or formatted it - in fact I've done nothing except
plug it in (IDE and power)
Do I need to do this to get it to show in My Computer? If so, how do I do
it? I tried to use Disk Management (right click My Computer - Manage) but it
only shows my original hdd.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Sh

Setting the drive jumpers to slave is not related to what kind of data
you're going to store on it. It is related to the connection type and its
position on a cable relative to other devices. How is the drive connected?
IDE and is it the only drive on the cable or does it share a cable with
another device?

After cabling and jumpers are correct, check again in Drive Management. If
drive is still missing have Drive Management check for changes (option is
available from menus and from right click menus). Hopefully it will appear.
Once it appears, it will need to be partition, formatted and assigned a
letter before it will show up in Windows Explorer/My Computer.

 

[Guest]

Hello again.

Many thanks for your excellent and prompt replies. Thanks to your help,
problem solved.

It was the disconnect/boot/shutdown/re-connect/reboot which seemed to do the
trick (thanks Anna). After this it showed up in Disk Management. I then
followed Javi0084's instructions and it is curently being formatted.

Strange, because the connections seemed good and I replaced them in exactly
the same way - but am grateful for your help.

Sharon F - yes, 2nd slot on IDE cable. Thanks for information. I've left the
jumpers as SLAVE as it will spend it's life as a cupboard.

Again, an enormous thankyou to you all and the wonderful service you
provide. All strength to you. Hope I can reciprocate in some form.

Best wishes, sh

 

[Sharon F]

Hello again.

Many thanks for your excellent and prompt replies. Thanks to your help,
problem solved.

It was the disconnect/boot/shutdown/re-connect/reboot which seemed to do the
trick (thanks Anna). After this it showed up in Disk Management. I then
followed Javi0084's instructions and it is curently being formatted.

Strange, because the connections seemed good and I replaced them in exactly
the same way - but am grateful for your help.

Sharon F - yes, 2nd slot on IDE cable. Thanks for information. I've left the
jumpers as SLAVE as it will spend it's life as a cupboard.

Again, an enormous thankyou to you all and the wonderful service you
provide. All strength to you. Hope I can reciprocate in some form.

Best wishes, sh

You're welcome and glad to hear that all is well now.