Skip to main content

Failure to reconize a hard drive

Thread needs solution

One of my computers have two drives: C (1 tb) and D (4 tb).
I save True Image backups (tib) in D-drive.
Recently, I realized that the computer stopped recognizing D-drive.
When I checked it out today, Windows 10 does not see D-=drive.
D-drive is not listed in Device Manager nor in CMOS.
I even replaced SATA cable with a brand new one.  But it is no help.
I have been using the same  D-drive for many years without any problem in the past.
I am looking for advice how to enable my computer recognize D-drive which contains important tib backup files.

0 Users found this helpful

Jorge, there are a number of reasons why your D: drive may not be shown, most of these will be hardware related.

I would recommend removing the D: drive from the computer and taking it to a different computer to see if it can be recognised there?
Doing this will immediately start to isolate where the problem lies:

If the drive is recognised on the second computer, then the drive itself is OK and you can make copies of your important .tib files.

If the drive gives the same issue, is not recognised then assuming that you have not used all the same power and SATA cables, it is more probable that the drive has died or that the logic circuit board for the drive has failed.

Note: as the D: drive is 4TB in size, you need to use a UEFI computer when testing the drive as any Legacy/MBR system will only recognise up to 2TB disk size.

When the 4tb drive was moved to other desktop, it was recognized.  I am currently copying the data in the 4tb hard drive onto a portable drive.   So now I am relieved that the drive is not dead.

What could be reason why the other computer suddenly stopped recognizing this drive.   Thanks for your help.

Jorge, thanks for the update and good news that the 4TB drive is OK when connected to another computer, so your backup files are good too!

The next step would be to try a different SATA drive in the original computer, even any small drive, to see if this would be recognised or not?

If another drive works, then the puzzle continues regarding the 4TB drive, but if not, then you need to try different SATA and Power cables, including disconnecting and reconnecting the cables at both ends so that contacts are remade and any oxidation is cleaned from the contacts.

Steve, you are the man.

I now found that the problem has to do with power cable.  When connected to a different power cable, voila!

Thanks.  Anyway, I got to buy extension cable for power cable if it is available.    The new power cable is too tight.

Thanks again.

Jorge, glad to hear that you have found the root cause of the drive issue - cables can and do go bad at times, but are a lot easier to replace than dealing with a failed drive!

I have never thought that power cable could go wrong.   I went out and bought extension for the power cable.

I connected it to drive.  Bingo.   Now, the computer runs like before.

Thanks Steve.

SATA power cables and SATA data cables can fail, particularly if there is a bend in the run close to the end. I have had a few fail over the years. I always have a few spares on hand in case of emergency.