Disk detected in BIOS but not Win10?

[etherealfocus]

Running an Optiplex 7010 (i5 3550) I've been using an SSD only but recently decided to plug in the old platter drive it came with for extra storage. BIOS detects it and reports drive details fine, but it doesn't show in Device Manager or Disk Management. Downloaded TestDisk and that also sees nothing.

Anything else I can try or is the drive just dead? That'd be weird since it worked fine when I got it and it's just been sitting unplugged in my case for the last few months.

 

[Ketchup]

Does it show up in device manager?

 

[XSoldier77X]

open start menu and type "create and format hard disk partitions." That'll take you to the Windows' built in disk management tool. see what's the status for your hidden drive there. Is is unallocated? Or totally invisible?

 

[etherealfocus]

it doesn't show in Device Manager or Disk Management

Totally invisible.

 

[lakedude]

Download, burn (as ISO image) and run Parted Magic, Ultimate Boot, G-Parted Live, Puppy or Fatdog 64 (your choice) and see if Gparted can "see" the disk. The download is free and the machine will run fine (great actually) from the optical. Puppy and Fatdog in particular run entirely in RAM so they are lightning fast. Parted Magic and Ultimate boot may have more relevant tools but they will likely be slower.


http://gparted.org/
http://distro.ibiblio.org/fatdog/iso/
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

 

[lakedude]

It could be a cable or a port. Try swapping cables/ports around.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've seen this, when the controller board gets enough juice on the +5V line to power up and respond to the "ATA drive identify" command, but lacks the juice on the +12V line to spin up the disk.

 

[RLGL]

Try the drive in another computer, see if it is id'd in the os.

 

[corkyg]

Has the drive been formatted/initialized?

 

[yendor]

check the bios for onboard sata device configuration. you may find your device shows as present but it's internal header is disabled and thus invisible to operating systems.

 

[etherealfocus]

Lakedude - will try this; haven't had time yet.

VL - I don't think that's it... this is the HD the computer came with, and the PSU seems to put off plenty of juice to power an i5 and a GeForce 1060... doubt it'd be having trouble supplying a HD. I did try swapping to a different SATA power cable; nothing. Only other SATA device is an MX300 SSD so it's not like there's a heavy load.

RLGL - Don't have another desktop or powered USB adapter handy but will see what I can do.

Corky - Shouldn't matter; Disk Management can see unformatted disks just fine. I believe it's still got the OEM partitions on it for Win7 but could be mistaken. I wipe drives with Eraser when I'm planning to give them away.

yendor - Checked BIOS; all SATA ports are enabled. I also switched SATA ports with the MX300... either way, the MX300 works and the HD doesn't.

If I had to guess:
1. Windows flakiness; will be tested soon as I have a chance to fire up Gparted
2. PSU weirdness per VirtualLarry (although that still doesn't make sense considering it does everything else perfectly... and removing the GPU and running off the IGP doesn't help
3. Dead drive (although I dunno how it'd die just sitting unplugged in my case for a few months)

...Will update after testing per above

 

[lakedude]

I agree that Windows Disk Manger should normally be able to see an unformatted disk. An unformatted disk might not show up under "My Computer" or "This PC" but the manager should see it, unless something is fishy.

The 12V thing does not need to be a PS issue, it could be a cable/connection issue. The data cable might also be an issue but you say you swapped ports/cables. Is your PS modular? Do you have a VOM? I don't think a 2.5" SSD uses the 12 or the 3.3 VDC lines. If true the SSD is not a good test of your 12V lines...

A mechanical drive might freeze up from sitting and not want to spin, IDK, maybe. One would think it would need to be sitting for a good long while. If nothing else works you might try mechanical means to get it turning as a last resort (look it up).

 

[Ketchup]

If you can hear/feel the drive spinning, the drive "might" not be dead. It the drive is cold and you don't feel the disk spinning, (even after swapping power ports), it's the drive. If you hear some unusual noises coming from the drive (such as a click), the drive is dead.

If you haven't already, unmounting it from its spot in the case will make all this much easier to check.

 

[Burpo]

R. BIOS detects it and reports drive details fine, but it doesn't show in Device Manager or Disk Management.

Hook it up as the ONLY hard drive, and boot to Linux or Windows DVD/USB, and prep the drive. It should partition and format if the drive is good. Once that's done, it should be recognized when you put it back as a storage drive.

 

[XSoldier77X]

If parted magic or ultimate boot or windows drive management tool doesn't lend a hand, it could be your drive but don't be so quick to judge. it could also be your port or the cable. do get another laptop or pc to try it on. maybe ask your friend or someone from your family who lives nearby. if that can't be done, try another drive on the same pc. that'll eliminate the possibility of the drive's cable being faulty.

 

[etherealfocus]

Welp, I have a resolution. Not sure what I did, but in the process of futzing around with cables it works now. I'm at a loss, but at least I've got a functional drive... lol

On a separate note, I tested four hard drives with a USB-SATA adapter. All three of the 3.5" drives couldn't be initialized, I guess due to insufficient power available over USB. The 2.5" worked fine of course and that's what I'm using now.

 

[VirtualLarry]

On a separate note, I tested four hard drives with a USB-SATA adapter. All three of the 3.5" drives couldn't be initialized, I guess due to insufficient power available over USB.

Uhh, yeah. 3.5" HDDs REQUIRE +12V for the motor. Those USB to SATA only supply +5V.