DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

HDD not showing in My Computer !!

14 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/hdd-not-showing-in-my-computer.167875/

sahil1033
sahil1033 Original post #1
Dec 21, 2012 at 9:58 PM
Bought a new Seagate 2 TB, installed it, tried to full format it but a message box displayed "windows was unable to format your drive" and HDD drive was not even showing up in 'disk managment'
restarted PC, drive was showing and again tried to do the same and the same thing happened. So, finally i managed to quick format the HDD and the drive disappeared and now the problem is the drive isn't showing up even after restarting.
Is the HDD faulty? Help ASAP
W
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:32 PM
i always use xp pro cd to full format a hdd for the 1st time.you can try win 7 bootable dvd/usb too for a quick format & then do a full format from within win 7.
sahil1033
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:35 PM
the problem is HDD disappears every now and then and now it isn't even showing up in disk management / my computer.
i want to know, why is this happening ??
mandarpalshikar
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Are you able to see it in Bios ? Which mobo r u using ?
W
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:44 PM
first eliminate all other possible issues.check that hdd shows in bios & report correct size.next check power issue by removing power hungry component like graphics card(if any) & then see.check with different/confirmed working sata cable & other sata ports.use linux live cd/win 7 boot dvd/pendrive or xp pro cd to see if hdd shows in format options & then format it.if after all this still no success then most likely hdd is faulty.
sahil1033
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Are you able to see it in Bios ? Which mobo r u using ?
for once i checked in BIOS, it was showing there and when i started my PC, it was still showing there and then after sometime, it disappeared.
H67 chipset

first eliminate all other possible issues.check that hdd shows in bios & report correct size.next check power issue by removing power hungry component like graphics card(if any) & then see.check with different/confirmed working sata cable & other sata ports.use linux live cd/win 7 boot dvd/pendrive or xp pro cd to see if hdd shows in format options & then format it.if after all this still no success then most likely hdd is faulty.
i tried to check it with linux but it wasn't even showing up in BIOS.
mandarpalshikar
Dec 21, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Which PSU are you using ? Try unplugging everything from psu except proccy and this hdd and see if you find it in bios.
sahil1033
Dec 21, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Which PSU are you using ? Try unplugging everything from psu except proccy and this hdd and see if you find it in bios.
it's a Dell Vostro 460, i think PSU is of dell only of 350 W
mandarpalshikar
Dec 21, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Now just try unplugging your old HDD, optical disk, gfx card, etc.... and try booting with only proccy and new HDD.
z3rO
z3rO #10
Dec 21, 2012 at 11:40 PM
@mandarpalshikar - is there any considerable difference in power consumption of 500GB 7200RPM drive and that of 2TB 7200RPM drive.. ??
mandarpalshikar
Dec 21, 2012 at 11:46 PM
@mandarpalshikar - is there any considerable difference in power consumption of 500GB 7200RPM drive and that of 2TB 7200RPM drive.. ??

Yes there would be a difference of 2 or 3 watts at idle and much more while I/O is gong on... What I'm trying to suggest is run the rig with only one HDD attached instead of 2 so that power consumption is reduced by atleast 5 watts.

Here is a link with details about idle power consumptions of Barracuda drives. Under load consumption increases significantly.
Barracuda | Seagate
z3rO
z3rO #12
Dec 21, 2012 at 11:56 PM
thanks for the info, he already removed everything else and still it sometimes shows up and sometimes not.. dunno perhaps the HDD is faulty but maybe cables or something else is causing this..
mandarpalshikar
Dec 22, 2012 at 12:45 AM
Try this hdd in one of your friends machines. Or try changing the cable and sata port to which its connected.
sahil1033
sahil1033 #14
Dec 23, 2012 at 7:27 PM
@mandarpalshikar, tried running new HDD only but this tym it wasn't even showing there in BIOS.
trying in a friend's PC is the only solution which seems to be perfect.

going for RMA