Installing second hard drive

[johnn]

I have a releatively (few months) new computer.
OS = W XP SP3
Orig HD = WD 320 GB (SATA)
Also onstalled: DVD_RAM Drive (SATA) and a floppy drive.

I'm trying to install a second hard drive, a WD 250GB (also SATA).

I have connected the second hard drive using a SATA cable and power connector.

Now, the BIOS sees the second hard drive
The Device Manager sees the second hard drive, and tells me it is working properly.
When I switch the computer on I can feel and hear the drive spinning.
BUT:when I go to Windows Explorer, I can NOT see this second hard drive.

I have interchanged SATA cables - to no avail.
My drive letters are all enabled - when I plug in additional devicves they are all assigned a drive
letter.

HELP!! What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!!!
__________________________________
johnn
__________________________________
"God is dead"
- Nietzsche (1844-1935)
"Nietzsche is dead"
- God

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a releatively (few months) new computer.
OS = W XP SP3
Orig HD = WD 320 GB (SATA)
Also onstalled: DVD_RAM Drive (SATA) and a floppy drive.

I'm trying to install a second hard drive, a WD 250GB (also SATA).

I have connected the second hard drive using a SATA cable and power connector.

Now, the BIOS sees the second hard drive
The Device Manager sees the second hard drive, and tells me it is working properly.
When I switch the computer on I can feel and hear the drive spinning.
BUT:when I go to Windows Explorer, I can NOT see this second hard drive.

I have interchanged SATA cables - to no avail.
My drive letters are all enabled - when I plug in additional devicves they are all assigned a drive
letter.

HELP!! What am I doing wrong?

You presumably haven't yet formatted the drive. Explorer won't see it
until you do that.

 

[johnn]

You presumably haven't yet formatted the drive. Explorer won't see it
until you do that.

Good answer ( I think), Ken.

However, the only way I know how to format a drive is by typing "Format 'letter' "
Can you instruct me how to format this drive?

Thanks!
__________________________________
johnn
__________________________________
"God is dead"
- Nietzsche (1844-1935)
"Nietzsche is dead"
- God

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Good answer ( I think), Ken.

However, the only way I know how to format a drive is by typing "Format 'letter' "
Can you instruct me how to format this drive?

Go Start | Programs | Administrative tools | Computer Management |
Disk Management. Click the drive, then right-click it and choose
Format.

 

[Leonard Grey]

You need to initialize the disc and then format it.

Open the Help and Support Center and search for Initialize New Discs.

Alternatively, if you purchased a retail drive, it should have come with
complete instructions for setting up the new disc.

 

[johnn]

Go Start | Programs | Administrative tools | Computer Management |
Disk Management. Click the drive, then right-click it and choose
Format.

Thanks a heap, Ken!
__________________________________
johnn
__________________________________
"God is dead"
- Nietzsche (1844-1935)
"Nietzsche is dead"
- God

 

[johnn]

You need to initialize the disc and then format it.

Open the Help and Support Center and search for Initialize New Discs.

Alternatively, if you purchased a retail drive, it should have come with
complete instructions for setting up the new disc.
---

While it was new and bought from a local computer store, Leonard, it did not come with a cardboard
box and all the fineries.
Not with the whole price, either.

Thanks for your help - I've got it done now.
__________________________________
johnn
__________________________________
"God is dead"
- Nietzsche (1844-1935)
"Nietzsche is dead"
- God

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks a heap, Ken!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Leonard Grey]

You were sold an OEM or 'white box' drive. There's nothing wrong with
the drive itself -- it's the same drive with the same quality as a
retail drive, except that it was packaged for sale to a system builder,
who doesn't need the instructions, software and spare parts that come
with a retail drive. You will probably still get support from the drive
manufacturer. Enjoy the new drive!

 

[Twayne]

I have a releatively (few months) new computer.
OS = W XP SP3
Orig HD = WD 320 GB (SATA)
Also onstalled: DVD_RAM Drive (SATA) and a floppy drive.

I'm trying to install a second hard drive, a WD 250GB (also SATA).

I have connected the second hard drive using a SATA cable and power
connector.

Now, the BIOS sees the second hard drive
The Device Manager sees the second hard drive, and tells me it is
working properly.
When I switch the computer on I can feel and hear the drive spinning.
BUT:when I go to Windows Explorer, I can NOT see this second hard
drive.

I have interchanged SATA cables - to no avail.
My drive letters are all enabled - when I plug in additional devicves
they are all assigned a drive letter.

HELP!! What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!!!
__________________________________
johnn
__________________________________
"God is dead"
- Nietzsche (1844-1935)
"Nietzsche is dead"
- God

Try looking at the drive in Disk Management; it may not have been
assigned a drive letter. Administrative Tools, Computer Management,
Disk Manager. It'll show all drives, their structures and layouts. You
can adjust drive letters there too in, I think it's the Advanced button.
If it shows with no letter, simply assign one to it. Then Explorer etc.
should be able to see it.

Regards,

Twayne

 

[Twayne]

Go Start | Programs | Administrative tools | Computer Management |
Disk Management. Click the drive, then right-click it and choose
Format.

And while you're there, check to make sure it's been assigned a drive
letter.

Twayne

 

[Lil' Dave]

You're welcome. Glad to help.

I'm still confused as to why device manager said the drive was not working
properly... Couldn't be the MS version of "drive" since its new, no
partition(s). If the error message was properly stated, then MS needs to
fix it.

 

[glee]

I'm still confused as to why device manager said the drive was not working
properly... Couldn't be the MS version of "drive" since its new, no partition(s).
If the error message was properly stated, then MS needs to fix it.

Dave,
I think you mis-read the OP. The only mention in the original post regarding Device
Manager, stated:
"The Device Manager sees the second hard drive, and tells me it is working
properly."

 

[Leonard Grey]

Dave: Microsoft has many error messages that need to be fixed before
they get to that one! ;-)

 

[Roy Smith]

Thanks a heap, Ken!

FYI there is a shortcut that will get you into the Computer Management
window. Simply right click on My Computer (either on the desktop or in
the start menu) then select manage in the pop-up menu.

 

[Rajiv Kohli]

Hello Ken,

If it is a new hard disk then don't you think that he may need to create
partitions first and then format them. I mean how someone can format an
Unalloactted Space.

Let me know!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello Ken,

If it is a new hard disk then don't you think that he may need to create
partitions first and then format them. I mean how someone can format an
Unalloactted Space.

Let me know!

The process from within Disk Management, although it's called
"format," does both.