Help, MS Explorer doesn?t see my new WD SATA h/d.

[Quick1]

Just installed my first SATA h/d drive but I haven?t formatted it yet. I?m running XP Pro service pack 2. The bios sees the drive and Device Manager says the device is working properly but I can't see in Explorer. Do I have to install additional drivers? Can?t I format it in Explorer?

 

[jpotter]

You have to either create a partition on it using software that came with the drive or go to Control Panel --> Admin tools --> Computer Management --> Storage --> Disk Management and then use that utility to create a formatted partition that windows can see/recognize. That's how you format it in explorer! Good luck!

 

[Quick1]

I'm obviously an XP noob. Understood, I'll try that. Thx!

Should I install this? "Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools 11 for Windows"

 

[Quick1]

Ok...I can see the new drive in Explorer now but still have a question. While in Disk Mgnt, two things are different with this new drive than my other drives. 1. Layout shows "Simple", instead of "Partition" as with my existing C & D drives. 2. Type shows as "Dynamic" instead of "Basic" as with the other drives. What does this mean? Did I set it up wrong?

 

[nib95]

I had the same problem an hour or so ago and Mr Jpotter came through with fine style.

This guys very helpful! Shows that you dont need a high post count to be a valued member.

 

[jpotter]

From what I've read, dynamic discs seem to have a few management options that basic ones do not, but there's no penalty/problem with them

http://www.petri.co.il/difference_betwe...amic_disks_in_windows_xp_2000_2003.htm

This link has more details on the topic- I just googled it.

Thanks for the kind words guys- I've been reading Anandtech for a couple years now and lurking on the forums a bit, but only recently deemed my knowledge great enough to attempt helping other users out- I knew the answer to this particular problem because I actually just added a second HDD this week myself! And besides, surfing the forums is a great way to procrastinate! Good luck gents!