Can't access 2nd hard drive

[Guest]

I am using Windows Vista Home Premium and have been for months. I have 2
internal hard drives and was able to access both. Suddenly, yesterday, when
I rebooted it won't access the 2nd hard drive. Of course this is where i
have all my pictures and back up data that I need to get.

It sees the drive is connected, but when I double click on it, it says that
it cannot access the drive.

PLEASE HELP!! I don't know what to do. I have tried re-booting several
times to see if it will work and it won't.

Tanya

 

[Jane C]

Hello Tanya,

Click on the Start orb, right-click on Computer and select 'Manage'. Accept
any UAC prompt. In Computer Management, click on Disk Management. Does the
drive show up there? If it does, does it have a drive letter assigned to
it?

 

[Guest]

The drive is there and has a letter assigned to it (E) but when I doubleclick
on the drive it tells me that it can't be accessed.

Tanya

 

[Guest]

Tanya,

Check a Vista error report: Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Problem
Reports and Solutions. Peruse the report for any error messages contained
therein, and focus on any recommended solutions. Just in case your problem
is logged as an error with a solution.

 

[Guest]

Checked that too. It is just weird that this happened when it literally was
just working and I didn't do anything to it. I did a system restore thinking
that would maybe bring it back, but it didn't work.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. Please keep them coming, I am trying
everything you suggest.

Tanya

 

[Cal Bear '66]

In Computer, right click on the drive, Properties, Security tab. Check the
permissions and ownership. Take ownership and give yourself full permissions if
necessary.

 

[Guest]

Tanya,

Use google to search on "can't access hard drive" (no quotes) in order to
get some ideas of what others have done in similar situations. If you can't
gain access, you have to confront the possibility that the drive went bad.
The manufacturer of the drive likely has a utility that you can run to check
the drive for this possibility.