Internal SATA drive registering as removable IDE drive

[Kabob]

Quick backstory:

So I just got my first SSD and threw it into my computer. Installed Windows on it and it fired up fine. Initial windows launch after install went fine and I installed my video drivers. Windows Update downloaded 4 updates and installed 3, one failed. Time for a restart. Upon rebooting though I could not get into windows, I was greeted with the error "BOOTMGR is missing CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart."

I unplugged my second HDD and it finally let me boot up, restarted the computer and plugged the second drive in and it seemed to fix my issues with the exception of one problem. My second drive is an internal 320 GB Samsung SATA drive, in windows it's appearing in my tray as a removable drive and in BIOS it isn't showing up as a bootable drive nor an SATA device. Upon launching the computer it appears to be registering as an IDE drive.

Anyone know what could be causing this? My mobo is an ASUS Rampage II Gene, new SSD is for the OS and updates only and is a 120 GB OCZ Vertex 3 drive, and said problem second drive is a 320 GB Samsung 7200 RPD drive.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Are you using "Native IDE" or "AHCI" for the BIOS SATA settings, and did those settings get changed recently?

 

[Kabob]

I'll check the BIOS when I get home from work. I don't think I've ever changed said settings so unless they default to on they shouldn't be on.

Also it should be noted that this same drive was the backup drive before my SSD was installed and never gave me an issue. Only after installing the SSD did this error arise.

 

[corkyg]

It could just be terminology. Technically, SATA spindle drives are also IDE. The alternative and earlier connection mode is PATA. Both are ATA with different connectors - Serial and Parallel. Both are classed as IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics.) As long as everything is working correctly, etc., I would not worry asbout that labeling. Technically, it is correct.

 

[VirtualLarry]

So did you do a fresh install of Windows 7, on the SSD? Was the HDD connected too?

You should unplug every other storage drive when installing Win7, and leave only the boot drive connected. Otherwise, it has the bad habit of putting the MBR/boot files onto the wrong drive.

 

[paul878]

I think that is normal with ACHI.
All my hard drives except the boot drive appears like that.
Might have something to do with hot-swapping capability of ACHI.

 

[Kabob]

It could just be terminology. Technically, SATA spindle drives are also IDE. The alternative and earlier connection mode is PATA. Both are ATA with different connectors - Serial and Parallel. Both are classed as IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics.) As long as everything is working correctly, etc., I would not worry asbout that labeling. Technically, it is correct.

It does seem to be working correctly but for some reason it irks me greatly that it's appearing as a removable drive. After the initial set of boot errors and an unplug/replug of the drive itself it's booting and running just fine.

This is what how it appears in my hardware folder.

*Edit* Had to reboot so I went into the Bios, here's my Boot Drive Priority (2nd HDD not available)

And here's a list of available HDD's:

So it's appearing as unbootable but as an IDE drive.

So did you do a fresh install of Windows 7, on the SSD? Was the HDD connected too?

You should unplug every other storage drive when installing Win7, and leave only the boot drive connected. Otherwise, it has the bad habit of putting the MBR/boot files onto the wrong drive.

You're the second person to tell me this, which I was unaware of. Last time I installed Windows 7 I only had one HDD installed, since then I added a second and then got the SSD. Looking at drive #2's folders (with hidden folders being shown) I don't see anything at all that suggests there's any windows files on there at all (I've only got a few things on it thus far).

Would it behoove/benefit me to reinstall windows on the SSD with said second SSD unplugged?

I think that is normal with ACHI.
All my hard drives except the boot drive appears like that.
Might have something to do with hot-swapping capability of ACHI.

Hrm, interesting.

Another thought, could it be a bad/worn out SATA cable or would that simply fail to register whatsoever?

Thanks so much for the help thus far guys!