Does not detect internal hard drive. The laptop does not see the hard drive: instructions for solving the problem

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There are cases in which a normally turned on computer, after a normal boot process, displays the message “ Operating system not found". This can only tell us that our OS was unable to detect the required system files. If in your practice you have encountered this kind of problem, then thanks to these instructions you can get rid of this problem.

Reasons why Windows 7 will not be able to see the hard drive

There are several reasons why the system does not see HDD:

The hard drive is damaged
The Master Boot Record (MBR) of Sector O is damaged or has errors.
Incorrectly set priority of disks responsible for which disk the operating system will be loaded from.
It also often happens that in BIOS There is an error in your computer, and because of it there is no way to detect the hard drive.
Among the hardware reasons, we can name the following: the interface cable that connects the computer and the hard drive is damaged, then it needs to be replaced and checked. And for SATA It is best to choose a cable that has metal latches.
If you just installed new hard drive, and did not have time to properly prepare it and create partitions, then Windows 7 definitely won't see him. To solve this issue, simply download the program Acronis Disc Director and quickly split our disk into partitions. Just don't mix up the discs!

Now let's try to solve the problem. To begin with, we need to find the item "" by clicking on the icon " My computer» using the right button of your mouse.

Then in the paragraph " Computer management", select the sub-item "". Next, feel free to right-click on the required disk and then select an item such as “ Change drive letter«.

You definitely can't go wrong further. In order to swap two disks, you will have to rename them several times. First, you will need to replace the letter on any of the drives with an unallocated one: drive “D”, for example, change to “X”, and drive “E” to “D”, then you can change former disk“D”, and now “X” - to “E”.

Windows 7 does not detect hard drive after system reinstallation

Very often there are cases when, after reinstalling the OS, the hard drive ceases to be visible.Then it will help with this problemthis instruction.

If you have a case in which Windows 7 cannot detect the hard drive due to a conflict coming from the motherboard, then first try downloading the necessarydrivers for your computer's motherboard. Save them to disk and downloadthesedrivers to the root folder of your OS. To do this, insert your driver disk into the drive and after restarting the computer, click the " F6«.

Another way to solve the problem. While the computer is booting, you need to go toBIOS (read how to do this), and in the settings of the system itself, find the parameter responsible for disablingAHCI, and only when you disable this setting will the hard drive be found immediately. You will see how to do this in the pictures below.

If this does not help you, then you need to tackle such a difficult task as integrating driversSATA, or even have to download entire driver packages. Also, there is a possibility that integrating all driver packages along with their updates will help. And they need to be integrated into the OS distribution using any of the methods presented below.

In order to select the necessary drivers and updates, you need to go to the website of your motherboard manufacturer (to quickly find out the motherboard model, read).

The solution to this problem is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. In most cases, users who have installed or reinstalled the operating system encounter this problem. Don’t immediately panic and call service centers to have a specialist come to your home, first try BIOS disable option like AHCI, then try to integrate all the motherboard drivers into your computer's distribution.

If the above does not help, then try to determine how the connector is connected HDD, and how correct. This is exactly the device thanks to which it is possible to connect to motherboard hard drive has only two connectors - black and blue, which should be connected to the hard drive, as it works more stably.

Computer owners often have problems recognizing the disk. This is done by the BIOS environment. She is responsible for setting up the motherboard and finding the equipment connected to it. There are several main problems why the BIOS does not see the hard drive:

Physical damage to the HDD;
Problems connecting to motherboard;
Factory defects in hard drive assembly;
BIOS settings.

Physical damage to the hard drive

Main problem: damaged jumpers

It is difficult to damage a hard drive unintentionally. If after assembly the computer or laptop no longer sees the HDD, you need to check it for external damage. First of all, you need to examine its jumpers, since their failure is the most common problem, by which the hard drive is not detected in the BIOS. The jumpers are located on the back of the media. Problems visible to the naked eye: the jumper can bend, break partially or completely and fall off, oxidize.

If the hard drive on a laptop or computer is new, then it must be returned to the store for replacement. If the media has been used for a long time, you will have to change it.

If the jumpers have undergone an oxidation process, then the problem on the computer can be solved in two ways:

Carefully treat the jumpers with a special solution that removes rust. You can purchase the product in a specialized store;
Clean the jumpers with sandpaper. In this case, you need to be extremely careful. One wrong move and the hard drive will have to be replaced.

Problem: external physical damage

When inspecting the surface, external physical damage can often be identified. The following types of defects are common:

Damage to chips on an unprotected HDD board;
Defects in the outer casing;
Malfunction of parts. For example, a motor.

If defects are detected, it is necessary to assess the extent of the damage. You can carry out the procedure with specialists or yourself. If the disk is suitable for repair, it should be sent to a service center. If not, you will have to purchase a new one.

Connection problems with the motherboard and power supply

Problem: SATA cable is faulty

If the HDD is connected incorrectly to the motherboard, it may be difficult to read information from it on the computer. After checking external defects, it is necessary to test the cable. It must be intact and fit snugly against the jumpers on both sides. The wires must be insulated.

If a faulty cable is detected, it must be replaced with a new one. If it is discovered that the cable does not fit tightly, then to solve the problem it is enough to correct it.

Interruptions in the operation of the device often occur due to the fact that several connectors are occupied in one SATA cable. It is important to check how many ports are connected to one loop.

Provide a separate SATA cable for each HDD.

Problem: Lack of electrical power

Due to insufficient power supply, the hard drive may not have enough energy to operate, so it is not recognized by the BIOS. It is necessary to check the quality of the connection of the wires leading to the unit. There is also a possibility that the power supply cannot cope with a large number of devices.

If the power supply wires are faulty, they must be replaced. If the power supply cannot cope with a large number of devices. It is recommended to replace it.

Incorrect BIOS setting in Windows

Problem: hard drive search functionality is disabled

Often the computer BIOS stops seeing the HDD due to failures standard settings. There are many reasons for this: power outages, installation of new equipment on the laptop, infection with Windows operating system viruses.

The first thing you need to do when starting your computer is go into the BIOS. Depending on your motherboard, there are different login keyboard shortcuts that appear on Windows at startup. Once in the BIOS, you need to check whether the functionality for detecting the HDD is enabled. To do this, select the Integrated Peripherals item in the menu and find the Onboard IDE Controller section, opposite which there is an inscription: Enabled (enabled) or Disabled (disabled).

If Onboard IDE Controller is marked Enabled, then there are problems with hard drive. Otherwise, change the status of the HDD.

If this procedure did not help and the hard drive is still not detected, then you need to reset the BIOS settings to factory settings. To do this, turn off and unplug your computer or laptop. After that, on the motherboard we look for a round, silver-colored battery.

It is quite difficult to confuse a battery with something else. We take it out of the computer and wait 20-25 minutes. We put the battery back.

Comment. Do not be afraid that when you reset the BIOS to factory settings, the driver settings will be lost. They are not related to the BIOS environment.

Factory defects

Problem: manufacturing defect, invisible from the outside.

If all the previous methods did not help, then you should think about the presence of manufacturing defects. In this case, external inspection, BIOS settings and cable testing will not yield results. Usually such problems arise with newly purchased hard drives. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the receipt until the warranty period expires so that there are no difficulties with the return. poor quality goods to the manufacturer.

Solution:

It is important to buy hard drives only from trusted stores with a good reputation. It is not recommended to purchase HDDs from dubious companies or from unfamiliar individuals. If guarantee period has expired, you can take the disc to specialized service centers.

If problems arise with the definition in BIOS hard disk, you need to be extremely careful and attentive when identifying the problem. The breakdown can often be solved on your own by resorting to the above instructions, but if all else fails, then the best solution is service centers.

Most users begin to panic when, before loading the operating system, they are greeted with the message “DISK BOOT FAILURE. INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER". This message has various variations, such as “Missing Operating System" or "Operating System Not Found".

Are you familiar with this situation? Wait to tear your hair out. As the company’s specialists say - http://www.paradise-r.ru/nodisk.html, in 90% of cases nothing happened to your data and the problem lies in minor physical problems that you can fix yourself. But first things first.

The most common causes of a “missing” disk

In this article we will look at the 6 most common causes of this error. Let's start with the most popular of them:

1. BIOS settings failure

In this case, the BIOS settings need to be reset. You can do this in several ways:

Turn off the computer's power. Look for the Clean CMOS inscription on the motherboard. There should be a jumper next to it. Move it from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3. Wait a minute and return the jumper back. Now the settings are reset to default values and the BIOS should recognize your hard drive.
Turn off the computer's power. Find the coin cell battery on the motherboard. Take it out. Wait 60 seconds - during this time the capacitors will have time to discharge and the BIOS settings will return to factory values. Now you can put the battery back into the slot and turn on the computer. If everything is done correctly, the BIOS will recognize your HDD.

2. Corrosion of cable contacts (SATA)
poor contact with power connector (MOLEX)

To make sure the diagnosis is correct, try connecting the hard drive to another computer. Or, if possible, replace the pair of cables with similar ones.

For example, a loose power cord may be found from the power supply if it concerns a desktop PC system unit. A DATA cable can be purchased at a computer store for a modest price.

3. The jumpers on the IDE hard drive are set incorrectly

The IDE interface made it possible to connect several devices to the motherboard using one cable. For ranking purposes, older IDE hard drives had jumpers (Master and Slave) that allowed you to set the device priority when booting. To correctly recognize devices, it is necessary that they work in different modes. For example, the hard drive is switched to Master, and the CD/DVD-ROM is switched to Slave. Or vice versa.

4. The computer does not see the external drive (USB, eSATA)

If your external hard drive is not recognized by the computer, try connecting another device to the same connector (USB flash drive or mouse). If a new device is detected, then the problem is in the hard drive itself.

5. Overheating of the southern chipset

This problem is especially common on laptops. South Bridge directly responsible for the functioning of SATA/PATA controllers. Due to overheating, the hard drive may not work correctly. Turn off your laptop and let the chipset cool down properly. Also consider cleaning your cooling system to prevent this problem from bothering you in the future.

6. Mechanical damage

If you are even remotely familiar with the structure of a hard drive, you should know how closely the parts are located in it. The reading head is located a few fractions of a millimeter from the surface of the mirror plates. That is why it is highly recommended not to subject the HDD to shocks or shocks. One careless movement and the head will scratch the platter, irreversibly destroying the data stored on it.

Service center imminent?

Did the above methods not help you? resort to extreme measures It makes sense if you hear while the hard drive is running.

When buying a computer, few users ask themselves how much hard drive capacity they need; they cannot predict in advance which files and how large they will be stored on the computer. Over time, the PC turns into a “file dump”. It’s a pity to delete everything, but in reality there’s not much that’s needed. However, additional volumes are required for work or for certain needs. disk space, which can be expanded by connecting additional HDD or SSD drive.

Why do you need a second hard drive?

Often users want to separate the operating system, programs and user personal files. In addition, installing the system and programs on a separate fast (albeit not so capacious) SSD disk or HDD can significantly speed up system loading, improve responsiveness and increase productivity. Saving time is a significant factor.

How to connect an additional disk drive?

Any computer, even an ancient one, has the ability to connect several disks at the same time. All modern computers support the installation of drives with SATA1, SATA2, SATA3 interfaces. If your motherboard has SATA interface 2, and the hard drive complies with SATA3 specifications, then connection is possible (compatibility in connectors and signals), but the maximum performance of the drive will be limited by the motherboard interface, that is, the data exchange speed will not be higher than in SATA2.

To install an additional hard drive, you need to connect 2 connectors - power and data. All operations must be carried out with the power completely turned off. After installing the second disk and starting the computer, new disk will be initialized, and then it will need to be formatted and divided into sections (or leave 1 section). However, the additional hard drive does not always start working. Why?

Why doesn't the computer see the second hard drive?

Reasons similar phenomenon maybe several. These are software or hardware failures, lack of drivers, outdated operating system, incorrect connection and setting HDD operating parameters.

The old computer does not see the second hard drive.

For older computers where the connection is via the IDE interface on all disk drives There are jumpers for setting the disk operating mode - Master (main, main master), Slave (secondary, additional, slave). In this case, for the first one (for the old disk from which the operating system boots), you need to set the jumper to Master mode, and for the new one - to Slave mode. If 2 drives are connected with one data cable, then the Master drive should be closer to the motherboard (by connector) than the new drive.

The new computer does not see the SSD

For modern computers With SATA interfaces, the new drive may not be visible in cases where you connect an SSD drive. SSDs have built-in controllers that are not always compatible with the controllers installed on the motherboard. If the drive is not detected, you can connect it to another SATA connector on the motherboard (if it has several different controllers). Also, the new HDD may not be visible due to the incorrectly set operating mode of the hard drive controller. This mode is configured in the menu Mother's BIOS fees. For each BIOS manufacturer and motherboard model available modes works and their titles may differ.

The computer does not see the new HDD. How to fix?

To correct the situation when the computer does not see the second hard drive, you should check the BIOS settings, connect the drive to a different data connector and power connector. If this does not help, then other methods will come in handy.

Most often, all equipment is in good working order and correctly configured, there are just a few points that you should not forget about. The new hard drive may not have a letter assigned or may not be formatted. The computer sees the disk at the stage of testing and loading to the operating system (white letters on a black background when the PC is turned on), but Windows Explorer no new disk. This happens often. IN Windows system It can be fixed very easily even without the use of additional programs.

We format the new disk and assign it a letter - Windows 7

We go to START. Right-click on “My Computer” and select context menu"Control".

Next, go to the Disk Management section. A list of drives connected to the computer will be displayed. Each drive will be displayed by partition with corresponding letters. If the disk is new, then there is a 99% chance that it is simply not formatted.

After successful completion of the operation, the option to create a partition on a new disk will be available.

This operation can also be performed using specialized software for working with HDD and SSD - Acronis Disk Director, Paragon Partition Manager and others.

In most cases, the information above will help solve the problem of the computer not recognizing the new hard drive. If this doesn't help, the best solution will contact a specialist who will find out and eliminate the cause.

How do you like it? -

Recover from hard drive data is not a difficult task if you approach its solution with certain knowledge. But sometimes the problem turns out to be more serious: the disk is not detected by the computer, and therefore it is not possible to read information from it. Is it possible to recover data from a dead hard drive if it is not visible in the system? Let's try to answer this difficult question.

Diagnosing the problem

The first step is to determine why the hard drive is not detected in the system. There are several reasons for this unpleasant situation:

The hard drive is disabled in the BIOS.
The jumpers are set incorrectly (relevant when using IDE interface).
The data transmission cable or the drive itself is damaged (burned out, the read head is jammed, etc.).

First, you should check the BIOS: if the hard drive is connected via the SATA interface, then you need to make sure that it is detected automatically. If the hard drive is connected via IDE, then you need to manually specify it in the “Primary IDE Master” parameter.

If you can't make these settings yourself, try resetting BIOS settings to factory condition. You can do this in two ways:

Remove the lithium battery from the motherboard and wait a bit.
Select the “Load Setup Defaults” item on the “Exit” tab in the BIOS.

If the BIOS does not allow you to specify the hard drive (it is not detected even at the basic level), then you need to check it for mechanical damage.

Mechanical failure

Disassemble the system unit and check the data cable and power cable that are connected to the hard drive. They must be in full working order: no creases, kinks or cracks are allowed. If you see some kind of physical defect, try replacing the cable - sometimes this helps, and the hard drive is then detected by the system.

Another very common problem is oxidation of the contacts under the controller board. You can fix this problem yourself using an eraser and a small screwdriver.

If cleaning the contacts does not help, then the problem lies in the HDA itself. It is not recommended to open it yourself, since at home it is impossible to create the “clean room” conditions necessary to troubleshoot problems inside the sealed unit.

Using recommendations for turning into " clean room"An ordinary bath or advice like “sharply hit the disk casing” should not be used on your disk - after such an impact, there is a high probability that you will never recover information at all, even in service center. If the disk burns out, then you won’t be able to repair it yourself.

Hard drive recovery

If the disk is not visible in the system and it is impossible to boot from it, then try restoring it through another computer. Simply put, a faulty hard drive can be connected as a second drive via the SATA interface or an external pocket with a USB output.

It is clear that if the disk burns out, then no amount of pockets will help it - here you need to use more technological recovery methods that are not available to ordinary users. In other cases, a broken hard drive can be detected and checked using utilities such as Victoria HDD, HDD Scan, HDD Regenerator or Norton Disk Doctor.

The first three programs test the surface of the non-working disk, finding and, if possible, correcting bad sectors. Norton Disk Doctor works with logical structures, eliminating problems identified in them. There is no universal tool, so sometimes you have to use several utilities at once.

Let's look at the procedure for checking a disk using an example HDD programs Scan:

The scan manager will appear at the bottom, where there is a “Map” tab. Go to it - here in graphic mode The progress of the disk surface check is shown. Normal sectors are colored in shades of gray, blue sectors are bad blocks that cannot be read.

Return of lost information

If HDD Scan says that everything is bad with the disk, then you need to start restoring damaged important data as quickly as possible. You can use different utilities, but we’ll see how to recover lost information and save it in another location using the R-Studio program:

After scanning is completed, it will appear full list information that can be recovered. Select the files you need and save them on another medium.

easyrecover.ru

Hard drive is not detected - how to fix the situation?

It happens that the hard drive on a computer suddenly stops working. This can happen when it is vital for you to get some file from the drive. What to do in such a situation? Let's consider the situation in more detail.

To troubleshoot problems, check that the equipment is connected and configured correctly

Behavior

Before proceeding with repairs and other actions, we advise you to find out why the OS cannot detect your hard drive. Device behavior may vary:

The device is not visible in the BIOS
appearance of strange messages when starting the OS
in Windows interface the memory size is 0 bytes
OS won't load
The logical drive is not visible.

As we can see, there are many factors. If the problem is identified with logic, then the user at some stage of using the PC begins to receive messages when working with one of the partitions “The disk is not formatted.” This indicates that the system has begun to identify the disk as an unallocated area. This is a well-known phenomenon; both a virus program and bad blocks can harm the disk. The problem is completely solvable in the first case, the second means that things are bad with the drive. However, the issue can be resolved realistically; the main thing is not to do unnecessary, impulsive manipulations. Do not create partitions, there is no need to delete old ones, initialize anything or format.

If we talk about inscriptions, then this is information like “ hard disk drive failure", "drivers not found", "disk boot failure" and the like. All these phrases mean that the PC cannot recognize the device. Such inscriptions may also appear when working with DVDs or CDs, SSD drives or regular flash drive.

You can understand whether the disk is visible through the BIOS if you log into this system at startup and examine the “Standard CMOS Features” menu.

Diagnostics

The device is not visible various reasons. It is important to check the motherboard, power cables, the device itself and the software. To reduce the list of potential pests, you need to connect the device to a free cable and try to work with them.

If you have another disk at hand, and you know that it is probably working, then plug it in instead of the faulty one. This will help ensure that the motherboard is functioning correctly. It is also better to connect your “invisible” drive to another PC - perhaps the reason is a software component? If this is the case, then there are a number of methods that help return everything to its place without using the services of expensive specialists.

Note! If you do not have experience in repairing computer components, and through the manipulations described above it has become clear that the problem is in the software itself, then take the computer to a service center. They will tell you whether it is realistic (and how expensive) to repair the device. An extreme case is to forget about the lost files and purchase a new hard drive.

First check the settings of this system. Getting into the BIOS is easy; hold down the Del or F2 key while loading the OS. On possible failure The computer settings indicate an incorrect system date in the BIOS. A simple reset will help solve the problem; to do this, remove the battery from the motherboard for a few minutes. Wait half an hour before returning the component. It's funny, but sometimes this is enough to improve the performance of the drive.

The device may also be lower on the priority list. This parameter is checked in the “Boot” section. Make sure the HDD is at the top of the priority list.

Power problem

The disc does not click or crack, but appears and disappears from time to time? In this case, the main problem is probably a lack of power, and a buzzing sound may indicate this (the operating cycles are changing). Purchasing will help improve functionality powerful block nutrition. You can also try to disconnect a less important component.

OS problems

BIOS “sees” the device, but Windows doesn’t? Adjust compatibility manually. To do this, follow these steps:

This method often helps inexperienced users bring their hard drive back to life.

Often a component does not work due to incompatibility file system. NTFS is suitable for adequate operation. In Disk Management, you can examine which option is installed on your PC. If the system is different, then it is better to reformat the disk.

Equipment conflict

If two drives of the same brand are plugged into a PC, then this is what sometimes causes conflicts. Check and configure each drive separately to avoid this situation.

Problem with contacts

A very banal factor is the lack of contacts. Reconnecting the wires will help correct the defect. Remove the cover, disconnect from the power, turn off and plug the cables back into the hard drive. If nothing has changed, then use another pair of wires. Do not forget that the device can be connected to the board through two main connectors (black and blue). The blue connector is responsible for external reading; connect to it.

Tire

SATA II (SATA), which is required by many modern drives, may not be supported by older operating systems. The solution is simple - reinstall Windows. If you do not want to work with a more recent OS, then reinstall the old one by installing special drivers for the required interfaces. You can find out what drivers your system needs on the motherboard developers website. Its type is registered in the properties (right-click on “My Computer”).

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The computer does not see the hard drive: what is the reason and how to fix it

All “advanced” computer users have encountered this situation. It happens that the disk categorically refuses to be detected in the OS.

And it’s good, we only ate in the system. There are several reasons for this disk behavior. The most common is the presence of “broken” sectors. But first things first.

The computer does not see the hard drive. What is the reason and how to fix it?

The answer to this question varies depending on how the hard drive is not detected. If the disk is detected when loading BIOS and is not visible in Windows, then this is not so bad. Perhaps it's a driver issue.

Or boot sector, which contains the information necessary for connection, is located in the damaged area. Then the OS does not see the partition table and reports that “The disk is not formatted.” You can fight this.

Moreover standard features Windows OS. It is much worse if the disk is not detected when the computer boots.

In some cases, the HDD is not detected in the BIOS. There are many reasons for this: a “glitch” of the BIOS itself, HDD damage, faulty wires, incorrect jumper position, etc. It is possible to restore the functionality of the hard drive.

But sometimes you have to worry about buying a new storage medium. What should I do to make my computer see my hard drive?

If the disk is not detected in the BIOS

The first priority in this case is to determine the cause of the malfunction. It's not that simple here. If the disk is not visible in the BIOS, then this is a complete problem, because the reasons may be different. And it's good if it's not boot disk with installed OS.

If the hard drive does not want to be detected in the BIOS, try the following solutions to the problem:

Reset BIOS settings to default. It happens that basic system I/O is sometimes "buggy". After resetting the settings everything should work fine.
In the BIOS settings related to the hard drive, disable AHCI mode. Sometimes the disk does not want to be detected due to this option being enabled.
Try updating your BIOS. Sometimes new firmware versions fix “bugs” and “glitches” of previous versions. It is possible that after the update everything will work.
Check the connection loops by connecting others. Over time the wires HDD connections to the motherboard fail. Check their functionality by replacing the wires.
Checking jumpers. If two HDDs are connected to the computer and both of their jumpers are in the “Master” position, one of them will not be detected. It is necessary to change the position of the jumper by selection.
Last option. Connect the HDD to another computer. If the disk is not detected there, then it’s time to scrap it.

If the above methods did not help, then everything is very bad with the disk. And here a dilemma arises: restore data or repair the disk. It's not the same thing. When restoring data, the disk is not repaired, but simply thrown away.

When the disk is repaired, the data disappears. Considering the cost of modern HDDs, there is no point in repairing them. And there is no guarantee that after repair it will last long. But the data can be restored. And transfer them to a new HDD. But this is already the worst case scenario.

If the drive is not detected in Windows

Let's assume that the BIOS detects the hard drive. But Windows OS categorically refuses to see it. What to do in this case? The system may not see the HDD for several reasons.

The most common of them: the presence of “broken” sectors and problems with drivers. In the first case, there is little we can do. But in the second, you can try to reinstall the drivers.

If the system greets us with the message “The disk is not formatted,” then this is a sign that the boot sector has been damaged. As a result, the OS is unable to read the information required for connection of this disk. There is a solution to this problem. Go to the “Start” menu, select “Run” and enter the combination “cmd”.

The command line opens. In it we enter the command “chkdsk drive letter: /F /R”. This command runs a disk check. Key "F" - automatic error correction, key "R" - data recovery. The process may take a long time.

Depending on the volume and degree of clutter of the disk. There are 99 chances out of a hundred that after this procedure the OS will see the hard drive.

If it's the drivers, then we need to reinstall them. To do this, go to “Device Manager”, look for the HDD designation and click the “Uninstall driver” button. After this, the computer needs to be restarted.

After the reboot, the system itself will try to install the driver for unknown device. In most cases this is enough. But if this does not happen, go to the “Device Manager”, click on the icon with the device we need and select the “Update drivers” item. The OS itself will find the appropriate driver and install it.

After this, we restart the computer and rejoice at the determined hard drive.

If all else fails

If the above methods did not give any result, then the HDD has “died”. There is only one thing left to do - try to recover the data. You can do this yourself, but it is better to entrust it to professionals.

If you decide to recover your data yourself, there are several good programs that can help you. However, all of them are good only if the hard drive is detected at least in the BIOS.

Recuva is perhaps the most famous data recovery program. It can recover almost any type of file. A positive quality of the utility is that it is completely free.

However, the percentage of information recovered is not that high. But the application is completely in Russian and has a simple and intuitive clear interface. Managing this product is easy.

R-Studio is the coolest data recovery utility. This monster will restore everything without any questions asked. It can retrieve data from a disk even after formatting it.

Flexible settings programs allow you to adjust the recovery process depending on the type of files. The program has only one drawback - you have to pay to use it. Because the unregistered version cannot recover large amounts of data.

However, it makes sense to spend money on full version, in order to further protect ourselves from the threat of losing all necessary files.

Seagate File Recovery- the most powerful program. It will find and restore everything that is possible even on an undetectable HDD. The utility is undemanding system resources and free. But there is one significant drawback.

The application works exclusively with hard drives from Seagate. The utility does not notice HDDs from other manufacturers at all. Considering that most users use hard disks precisely from this manufacturer, then the appearance of this utility in this list is quite justified.

Data Rescue PC is an excellent tool designed to work with disks outside the operating system. The program loads as a Live CD and can work even with heavily damaged disks.

This utility can restore everything. It will be especially useful in cases where the system disk is damaged and the OS does not want to boot.

Despite all the professional “goodies” and the Live CD mode, the utility has a pleasant and intuitive interface. The program is completely free and does not require activation.

With the help of all these programs you can try to extract at least some information from damaged hard disk. If they don’t help, then you need to turn to professionals.

Such an appeal will cost a lot, so it’s worth considering whether the information stored on damaged HDD so needed. Perhaps the best solution would be to simply buy a new hard drive.

Conclusion

Thanks to this mini instruction on the topic “The computer does not see the hard drive. What is the reason and how to fix it? many users can save time, money and stress. If we summarize everything that is written above, we can say that in most cases, problems with a hard drive are reversible.

Even if it is damaged, there are ways to extract information from it. By using specialized programs this can be easily achieved. To prevent such unpleasant situations from arising, use the “Check Disk” system option more often. Checking and fixing errors will help keep your HDD in good health.

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Hard drive is not detected: instructions for solving the problem

If the hard drive is not detected and this is the drive on which the operating system used to boot is located, then the BIOS will begin to show notifications that it is not installed and perform Windows startup impossible.

The result is that Windows will not work. However, it is still possible to enter the BIOS settings, since the BIOS is not located on the hard drive, but is part of the motherboard. Is the BIOS loading? Now fine. Go into CMOS settings and see if the drive not found is enabled.

If the problem occurs for no apparent reason, it can be assumed that either the device itself is faulty or there is a problem with the BIOS settings. Now you can open the system unit and inspect the drive itself. Perhaps the contacts in the connectors simply came loose. If everything seems fine, you can still try disconnecting and reconnecting the data and power cable.

Hard drive problems

Since the hard drive is a mechanical device, its malfunction is quite common. A problem with the unit itself may be indicated by strange sounds during its operation or by complete absence.

If it does not spin and its body does not vibrate, either the power supply has stopped or the hard drive itself has broken down. The easiest way to check its serviceability is to replace it with a similar one.
If a new drive is detected, then the hard drive is definitely out of order.

Is it worth repairing these devices? The cost of repair may even exceed the price of a new one. Most likely, it does not need to be repaired, but if important documents were stored on it, you can try to restore all this data at a service center.

It may also be that the drive has damaged sectors, logical partitions, or broken blocks data. This could be due to the computer becoming infected with a virus. Such devices should be changed immediately, otherwise malfunctions may continue on the mother's ward and central processor.

If you have recently installed an additional drive

When connecting new equipment, you must set connection priorities correctly. Which hard drive should be considered by Bios as the main one, and which one as the auxiliary one. Priorities are set by correctly placing jumpers on the back of the devices themselves.

As a rule, the master drive must be connected to the outermost connector of the loop, and the auxiliary drive to the intermediate one. An incorrect connection can also cause the hard drive to not be detected. How exactly to insert jumpers correctly - the diagram is located on the top of the hard drive case. For different brands devices, the connection diagram is different.

Bios settings are lost

Why BIOS installation could have changed? A viral infection may have occurred. If other problems appear in the BIOS, a virus is quite likely to enter the system.

To reset the BIOS settings to default, you need to find a small battery on the motherboard and remove it for a few seconds, and then put it back in place. After this, a new session on the computer will begin with attempts to detect connected Bios devices. If it was just the settings, the drive should be determined.

Problems with the power supply

If new modules were installed in the computer, the old power supply may not be able to handle the increased power consumption. There is little current supplied to the hard drive, so it does not rotate. And if it doesn’t spin, it’s as if it doesn’t exist. The problem with the power supply is checked by installing a more powerful source. Or, if there is nothing to replace it with, disable the newly added blocks and see if the computer’s functionality will be restored. If everything works again, you need to look for more powerful source nutrition.

The hard drive is not detected at the device manager level

If the Bios still detects it, and Windows boot occurs from another drive, you can check whether the drive you are looking for is available in Device Manager. The cause of the problem may be previously created virtual drives. The system switched to recognizing them, and the physical devices were disabled as unnecessary.

Such a nuisance sometimes occurs when using special software on a computer to manage, record, create virtual machines. The management and settings of such programs are quite complex and it is easy to make some erroneous actions.

Sometimes the problem goes deep into the registry and then even deletion virtual devices The program itself doesn't help. What to do? As a reasonable solution, you can consider formatting and reinstalling the operating system. This way you can get rid of viruses at the same time. And the updated Windows OS always works faster and better than the old one.

External drive not detected

External devices with huge amounts of memory are increasingly becoming common among PC users. Why external storage can't find it on your computer? The easiest way to make sure it is working is to connect it to another computer. If it doesn’t work there either, there is a malfunction in the hard drive itself or problems in the power and data cables.

Cable connectors must be carefully inspected to ensure that the plugs are seated tightly in the ports. Poor contact along the circuits will completely lead to the absence of a disk both in the BIOS and in the system.

If the external drive has a separate cable for connecting power, you need to check whether it is connected. Measure the voltage at the contactor. If there is little energy, the disk will also not work normally.

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Recovering lost data from hard drive

Many of the users computer equipment have encountered (and will continue to encounter) the fact that they may need to recover data from a hard drive. It is enough to imagine a situation where a user is working on a computer and tries to access documents or some important files stored on the hard drive, but, to his surprise, discovers that the necessary data cannot be opened.

This situation may arise as a result of HDD failure. There can be many reasons for a drive to malfunction, and to decide whether deleted data can be recovered and how to do it, you will have to try a little. I’ll say right away that there is no need to panic ahead of time, because many problems can be solved on their own. There are several data recovery methods that you can try yourself before turning to the experts.

3 reasons for erasing information

Loss of information can be due to a number of factors, but 3 of them are considered the most common.

Firstly, sometimes the user accidentally deletes an important folder, empties the trash, or even formats by bug hard disk.
Secondly, the problem may be software related. In this case, you can try to restore the files in some way.
Thirdly, the cause of data loss may be related to a problem with the hard drive itself. Given the complexity of modern drives, it's not surprising that something might go wrong somewhere. If the HDD suffers from some kind of system or hardware error, then regular user It is unlikely to solve the problem on its own. In this case, it is best to contact a special service that can restore files from the disk. However, there are a certain number of errors that you can try to solve on your own.

Data recovery using special programs

Now let's look at how to recover data from a hard drive using various software and utilities. If you lose data, you need to act as quickly as possible. If the drive is connected to a running system, then with every second the chances of its recovery decrease.

The operating system constantly writes and reads data from the hard drive, regardless of whether the user is using the computer or not. Usually the remote directory is perceived by the system as free space, which could cause it to overwrite that area, reducing the chances of recovering the information.

Procedure

You must shut down the computer to which the damaged drive is connected. After this, the archive of files will be safe from overwriting, so you can clone it and try to restore data from an exact copy. There are several cloning methods. Then you will need to use programs to recover information. For this purpose, many have been developed various applications and some of them are distributed free of charge.

Recuva is a good recovery program deleted files, which does not require investment. A program for recovering files from an external hard drive, called Zero Assumption Recovery, is suitable for those who are willing to spend money on a good application.

Data recovery in case of hardware failures

How to recover deleted files from hard drive? Finding the remaining information using the software is very convenient. But what to do if the erased disk is not even detected operating system? Sometimes it happens that the computer sees folders and files, but freezes when trying to access them. In the worst case, the disk may be completely disabled, as a result of which it will not even spin up. It is necessary to study the main components of the drive and try to understand which of its components may have broken. Different breakdowns may be accompanied by different symptoms:

The PCB is a chip that is attached to the bottom of the drive (usually green). This is where the main controller (equivalent to the processor on the motherboard) is located, along with other electronic components. This interface converts binary code into information that a computer can understand.

Platter is one or more thin round plates. On regular consumer HDDs, they rotate around their axis at speeds from 5900 to 7200 rpm. This is exactly the element on which the data is stored. It is made of glass or various alloys and coated with a magnetic layer, thanks to which it can store up to 4 TB of information.

Head Assembly are special heads for reading and writing data. Interestingly, during their work they do not come into contact with the surface of the plate. These heads are located slightly above the surface of the disk. Typically, each plate has 2 such devices. A large HDD with 3 platters is equipped with 6 heads. Such devices may be damaged by shock or strong shaking. As a result, they stop floating above the plates and come into direct physical contact with them, which is why information on the hard drive begins to be erased at a speed of several thousand revolutions per minute.

Firmware is built into the HDD software, which is a mini operating system that provides access to the data storage. Most of this firmware is stored on platters. A relatively small share is received by the microcircuit, which is necessary to start the drive. The firmware may fail, causing data to become inaccessible.

Unfortunately, the firmware for the hard drive is not the same as for smartphones and tablets, so they cannot be updated or rolled back to previous version. Each HDD model has its own unique modules and parameters. Programmers sometimes joke that every hard drive has a complex character.

What to do if the disk does not spin

How to recover information from a hard drive if it does not spin. This is exactly the case when the user has a good chance of recovering deleted files. But in this case, some effort and time will be required. If the drive does not make any sounds when connected to power, then with a 99% probability the problem lies in the RSV. For older drive models, it was possible to find a suitable chip from another drive to make a replacement. Technologies and architectures have changed with new disks. Now each HDD contains unique microcode. In modern conditions, replacing RSV has almost no chance of success and can be dangerous for the surviving data.

There are 2 possible reasons for the failure of the microcircuit: the TVS diode (fuse) has failed due to short circuit, or some other vital component has been damaged. Drive boards often have 2 TVS, which protect the drive from voltage surges. Typically, 1 of them is rated at 5 V, and 2 are rated at 12 V. If the user accidentally connects the wrong power adapter to the hard drive, or there is a voltage surge, the diode may fail. If, as a result of a short circuit, only the TVS is damaged, and the remaining components of the chip are in perfect order, then removing the diode will be enough to restore the HDD’s functionality.

The condition of the diode can be checked using a multimeter. If the meter shows 0 ohms or something like that, then the TVS has indeed shorted. Diode failure may be accompanied by a noticeable burning odor and visual changes similar to burns. It must be borne in mind that once the diode is removed, the drive will remain defenseless, so the power supply must be uninterruptible and reliable.

If the TVS does not smell burnt and shows the correct numbers when measured, then the problem lies with the PCB itself. In this case, the chip needs to be replaced. Most ICs have an 8-pin ROM chip that contains the unique firmware needed to run the drive. The replacement will only work if the element is transferred from the old PCB to the new one. Some hard drives (especially Western Digitals) do not have this 8-pin chip. Instead, the firmware is stored in the main controller, which is virtually impossible to detach.

If you want to replace the chip, it must be suitable. You can find specialists who perform similar operations. Some of them even offer ROM replacement, saving the user the hassle of using a soldering iron. If the RSV is the only damaged component, and all other elements are in order, then after replacement the disk should work again. Another element of the microcircuit that needs to be checked is the contacts. They can corrode over time, but can be easily cleaned with a rubber band.

What to do if the drive makes clicking noises or freezes

How to recover files from a hard drive? Strange sounds are a serious problem associated with read and write heads. If these devices break down, they begin to damage the information plates. In any case, this is a job that only professionals can do. The drive must be opened in a special laboratory and the damaged head replaced in order to get to the deleted data. If the disk makes clicking noises, it is better to turn it off and leave it alone so that you can send it to special company, engaged in the restoration of drives. It is not recommended to turn on a HDD with such a failure, as its condition may worsen even further.

How to recover files on your hard drive? Freezing means that the disk has begun to demagnetize. A large number of “bad” sectors appear on it, which the drive unsuccessfully tries to read, which is why it eventually freezes. This type of problem usually occurs over time and can only be solved by using professional data recovery equipment called “Hard Imager”. If you examine the hard drive using SMART technology, you will notice a large number of redistributed sectors to confirm your suspicions. You can save the scan results and send them to experts who will handle the recovery.

If you still want to carry out this operation yourself, at the risk of exacerbating the problem and destroying the remaining data, then you can try using Hard Imager yourself. But you need to take into account that such software runs through the BIOS. Alternative option- This free application"dd_rescue" which works in Linux environment. It may miss external drive all bad sectors and save the remaining information.

What to do if the drive beeps when you turn it on

A squeak-like sound means the HDD is trying to spin up, but is unable to do so. The problem can only be caused by serious mechanical damage. Most common possible reason- this is a phenomenon called “stiction” (stickiness). When the disk is not in use, its heads can be located in the center or on the edge. As mentioned above, these devices do not touch the plates, but float above them. Sometimes the head may be in the wrong position, causing the disc to stop rotating. Due to the extremely smooth surface of the plates and heads, they can literally stick to each other. The disk must be opened in the laboratory, where faulty elements must be replaced with new ones.

Another reason may be a breakdown of the motor - the mechanism that spins the plates with information. It may jam if the hard drive takes a hit. Such a failure is quite rare, except for Seagate drives, which have an extremely fragile motor. There are 2 ways to solve this problem, but in both cases you will need professional intervention. You can replace the engine, or vice versa - remove the plates along with the heads and install them on another mechanism.

What to do if the hard drive is not detected

Typically, this indicates problems with the firmware. Several years ago, this error associated with Seagate products was widespread. Many drives running SD15 firmware suffered from internal system failures. This error has caused a large number of hard drive crashes. In those days, such failures could be resolved independently, but modern HDDs, as a rule, require the intervention of professionals.

Let's sum it up

So, in some cases you may need a data recovery program. Sometimes the loss of information may be due to the fact that the user accidentally deleted it. If the disk shows no signs of life at all, then the problem lies in the PCB chip. If the drive makes unusual sounds and generally behaves strangely, you need to hand it over to professionals who will restore the information on the hard drive. Any attempts independent search missing information are risky. If the disk being restored actually contained vital data, then it is better to spend a certain amount of money and give the HDD to a recovery service.