Slave drive not recognized in My Computer after power interruption

C J.

Heh... I found one more thing Cindy,

.... when you look at that drive in Disk Manager... is there a Dark Blue
Band, a Lite Blue Band or a Black band there representing the drive with no
letter? If there is any color band.. have you tried right clicking on the
band seeing if you can assign a letter from there?


"C J." <no.reply@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:uaKiXOcnHHA.4188@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Yeah - I finally did, a few months later when I first installed XP SP1. No
> one was more surprised than I was when it fired up.
>
> Just for giggles I decided to hook the drive up one night, turned on the
> PC and XP saw it as plain as day. Knowing I was seeing a miracle, but
> that it was or could be short lived (once the drive heated up,) I took
> the time to back all the stuff off it that I wanted / needed and then I
> wiped the drive and tossed it out.
>
> You never did answer me about whether you have a backup of the contents
> for that drive... I'm assuming your answer would be no, and thats
> unfortunate.
>
> I did run across something a few minutes ago... You tried the drive in
> another machine, and there was still no drive letter. According to the
> article that indicates a bad drive controller. What probably happened was
> an ESD (Electro Static Discharge) occured when your friend touched the
> drive (while PC was already on) to disconnect it ( If he touched the
> circuit card on the drive more directly, then POW. Your lucky to even be
> seeing it in DM)
>
> The article also went on to suggest if the drive worked on another PC then
> the IDE channel on what would be your motherboard might of gone bad. That
> doesn't sound like what your problem is.
>
> Only other thing you can do, is get an estimate from a drive recovery
> service such as Ontrack. I'll forwarn you now, that process could cost a
> couple of thousand dollars... depending on the drive size and the amount
> of data.
>
> I'll keep looking to see what else I can come up with. I have this marked
> as being watched in my News reader.
>
> "Cindy" <Cindy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:57406F59-D837-4071-AE8F-BA3BFA78F740@microsoft.com...
>> Did you ever get into your disk? Maybe I could use the same thing to get
>> into mine.
>>
>> The only choice not grayed out is the "delete partition" in Disk
>> Management.
>> If you delete a partition will it wipe all the data out on the drive too?
>> I
>> don't know why it would have allow that option but gray out all the other
>> options.
>>
>> Like you said...I can't be the first person to experience this type of
>> problem. When looking at the Properties on this drive it says "This
>> device
>> is working properly"..so if there is no problem with it My Computer
>> should be
>> able to access it.
>>
>> "C J." wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Cindy,
>>>
>>> The reason Disk Manager (and Speedfan) see the Physical disk drive is
>>> because its connected via IDE1 (primary) or IDE2 (secondary) channels on
>>> the
>>> motherboard. If DM can see it, but have no drive letter(s) for it, and
>>> "My
>>> computer " in windows can't access it - that to me indicates damage
>>> either
>>> to the controller in the drives electronics, or it could be a sign of a
>>> corrupted System Volume Information folder for that drive. You've
>>> obviously
>>> tried to put it in another machine and that didn't work.
>>>
>>> You can install a non partitioned or formatted diskdrive and then use
>>> disk
>>> manager to prepare that drive for use in Windows. Once its been
>>> partitioned... a drive letter(s) is/are assigned, and then you would
>>> format
>>> the partitioned space(s). .
>>>
>>> Admittedly, I haven't been a lot of help, but I have been busy combing
>>> the
>>> web looking for a solution or a workaround to your problem. I haven't
>>> had
>>> any luck thus far (you can't be the only person in the history of
>>> Windows NT
>>> to have this problem... I definitely know you're not the only person to
>>> have
>>> a problem with IBM (Hitachi) diskdrives. Incidently, you'll find they
>>> make
>>> great paper weights heh.))
>>>
>>> Back in a day, when I was still running Windows 98SE - I had a IBM 60GB
>>> Deskstar ATA/133 drive. It was brand spanking new - I hadn't even had
>>> the
>>> friggin thing a month... and one night while in the middle of saving
>>> some
>>> files to E: DriveStores (what I called one partition volume in mine,)
>>> the
>>> drive just suddenly started to clattering and head hammering really bad.
>>> In
>>> fact, it froze Windows 98SE and I had to reboot. Then Windows wouldn't
>>> start because the drive was still connected. So i had to disconnect it
>>> and
>>> then windows started normally minus the drive. I was stumped for months
>>> as
>>> to what I was going to do with the drive because i had all this stuff on
>>> it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Cindy" <Cindy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:6F24A0D1-0BBD-4BD2-9311-54CB4B5D8DFA@microsoft.com...
>>> > The cable is connected correctly.
>>> >
>>> > The drive shows up in Device Manager also without any error.
>>> >
>>> > I can try the remove and reboot suggested but I already essentially
>>> > did
>>> > that
>>> > when I removed the hard drive and installed it on a totally different
>>> > computer like I wrote earlier so I don't think it will make any
>>> > difference.
>>> > It was recognized in Disk Management in that different computer but
>>> > not in
>>> > My
>>> > Computer just like on the original computer. In both computers, Disk
>>> > Management lists this IBM drive as Healthy and Active but no drive
>>> > letter.
>>> >
>>> > How can Disk Management and Device Manager (and Speedfan) all see this
>>> > hard
>>> > drive but My Computer cannot? If we can figure that out then we
>>> > should be
>>> > able to bypass the problem and reset it. I would think if it was
>>> > "fried"
>>> > then it would not be recognized at all. In my mind, some sort of
>>> > "pathway"
>>> > was lost that allows entry into the disk...like we can see the
>>> > building
>>> > but
>>> > we just can't open the door. We need to find a way to open the door.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "C J." wrote:
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >> "Cindy" <Cindy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> >> news:7E4CD024-A2E9-4B1C-96B6-7DD98408533B@microsoft.com...
>>> >> > If it was "fried" then how come Disk Management can see the hard
>>> >> > drive?
>>> >> > Also, I have Speedfan installed and it too can see the IBM hard
>>> >> > drive.
>>> >> > Since
>>> >> > it can be seen by other programs on the computer, why can't My
>>> >> > Computer
>>> >> > see
>>> >> > it? Isn't there any type of program that I can use on it to get
>>> >> > back
>>> >> > into
>>> >> > it
>>> >> > to assign a drive letter to hopefully make it accessable?
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Thanks,
>>> >> > Cindy
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> > "Cindy" wrote:
>>> >> >
>>> >> >> I have an IBM-DPTA-351500 with firmware P5AOA30A installed as a CS
>>> >> >> slave
>>> >> >> drive in an Emachine computer. This drive has been recognized as
>>> >> >> drive F
>>> >> >> by
>>> >> >> this computer for a couple of years without any problems.
>>> >> >> Recently, I
>>> >> >> had a
>>> >> >> friend look at my computer to see if he could tell why I had a
>>> >> >> high
>>> >> >> pitch
>>> >> >> frequency noise in this computer. He determined that it was
>>> >> >> mostly
>>> >> >> coming
>>> >> >> from this IBM drive and unplugged the power cable to it while the
>>> >> >> computer
>>> >> >> was running (!!!yes I know, I couldn't believe he did it but he
>>> >> >> just
>>> >> >> reached
>>> >> >> up and did it before I knew what he was doing!!!). The computer
>>> >> >> did
>>> >> >> get
>>> >> >> a
>>> >> >> little quieter but he said he thought the master hard drive was
>>> >> >> making
>>> >> >> some
>>> >> >> noise too.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> However, here is my problem. He plugged it back in and I didn't
>>> >> >> think
>>> >> >> a
>>> >> >> thing about it until I sat down to see if there was anything on it
>>> >> >> I
>>> >> >> still
>>> >> >> needed before taking it out to put in a new hard drive (first to
>>> >> >> run
>>> >> >> as a
>>> >> >> slave to copy over the master and then make it become the master).
>>> >> >> When
>>> >> >> I
>>> >> >> tried to look for it in My Computer it was no longer there.
>>> >> >> However,
>>> >> >> it
>>> >> >> does
>>> >> >> show up in Disk Management but the drive letter assignment is no
>>> >> >> longer
>>> >> >> there. The option to "change drive letter and path" is grayed out
>>> >> >> so
>>> >> >> I
>>> >> >> cannot give it a drive letter. (all options except delete
>>> >> >> partition
>>> >> >> and
>>> >> >> help
>>> >> >> are grayed out).
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> I tried unplugging the data cable and the power to the IBM drive
>>> >> >> and
>>> >> >> rebooting the computer but the result is still the same. I tried
>>> >> >> putting
>>> >> >> the
>>> >> >> IBM drive in a different computer but the results are still the
>>> >> >> same.
>>> >> >> How
>>> >> >> can I make Windows recognize this drive again so I can get into
>>> >> >> it?
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> Thank you in advance for your help,
>>> >> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Just to be sure I understand, you say Disk Manager shows the drive
>>> >> and
>>> >> size
>>> >> of the partition, but theres no drive letter...
>>> >>
>>> >> When you reconnected the drive cable... you were certain the red or
>>> >> blue
>>> >> band on the flat cable was facing the four pin power connector from
>>> >> the
>>> >> power supply. If its correct, follow the next steps
>>> >>
>>> >> Lets see about a couple of things First
>>> >>
>>> >> 1. Click Start
>>> >> 2. Click on Control Panel
>>> >> 3. Click on performance and maintenance.
>>> >> 4. Click on System icon
>>> >> 5. Tab on Hardware.
>>> >> 6. Click on Device Manager.
>>> >> 7. Open the [+] Disk Drives Branch in the tree.
>>> >>
>>> >> a. Is your drive listed there as a slave.
>>> >> 1. if Yes - remove the drive from that list and reboot the
>>> >> computer. In theory windows should detect it and install a new driver
>>> >> for
>>> >> it.
>>> >>
>>> >> 2. If No - you might what to try slaving the drive into a
>>> >> different
>>> >> PC - and see if Windows on that system will assign a drive letter for
>>> >> it.
>>> >> if its seen run "chkdisk /r /f" on the drive in that computer, before
>>> >> putting it back into your PC.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>

Rock

"Cindy" wrote
<snip>

> Can you delete a partition without wiping out the files?

No.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Rock

"Cindy" wrote
<snip>

> Can you delete a partition without wiping out the files?

No.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Cindy

I had tried this before but just tried it again, just incase a miracle would
happen but got the same results...
"The system cannot find the drive specified" error message

I have been spending a lot of time searching the Internet too and haven't
found anything to "fix" my problem. Disk management says the hard drive is
healthy and active and Device Manager says it is working properly so it just
doesn't make sense that I can't get into it.

I hope someone here has some more ideas too as there has to be a way to get
into a healthy, active, properly working hard drive that only My Computer has
a problem with.

Thank you for continuing to try and solve this problem!




"C J." wrote:

> Hi Cindy,.
>
> I believe you said the drive was your F: drive... one final thing will tell
> us if the drive is completely toasted - or perhaps Windows is screwed up in
> some way that can be fixed.
>
> I don't want to get your hopes up...
>
> Press Start, Run - type CMD... at C:\ prompt.. Type F: [Enter]
>
> If your fortunate enough to see an F:\ prompt - and not an "Invalid drive
> Specification" or "The system cannot find the drive specified" error
> messages - the next thing I'd try is Chkdsk F: /r /f
>
> Reboot the system, and see if the drive becomes visible.
>
> One site I looked at today discussed an internal hard drive not being
> visible in "my computer", - and one of the admins there suggested the OP
> shut down his computer, remove the Hard drive, remove the battery on the
> motherboard and let it completely lose any milli-voltage (leave it set for
> 24 hours,) before reversing the procedure. Since the original poster never
> got back to them with the results, attempting this with a problem drive
> might not be worth while trying.
>
> Harddrives go out in some unique ways. I had a ST32231 seagate drives
> circuit board frapp while my computer was running. The platters and heads
> inside the drive are still good ( I never had a lick of trouble with it
> until the card shorted out.) If I could find a replacement drive with a
> good circuit board I'd attempt a swap. I already told you about my IBM
> Deskstar. I just hope someone didn't find it in the trash and try to use it.
> heh.
>
> At anyrate let us know what you find out.
>
> "Rock" <Rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:Ol0uCcpnHHA.208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> > "Cindy" wrote
> > <snip>
> >
> >> Can you delete a partition without wiping out the files?
> >
> > No.
> >
> > --
> > Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]
>
>
>

Cindy

I had tried this before but just tried it again, just incase a miracle would
happen but got the same results...
"The system cannot find the drive specified" error message

I have been spending a lot of time searching the Internet too and haven't
found anything to "fix" my problem. Disk management says the hard drive is
healthy and active and Device Manager says it is working properly so it just
doesn't make sense that I can't get into it.

I hope someone here has some more ideas too as there has to be a way to get
into a healthy, active, properly working hard drive that only My Computer has
a problem with.

Thank you for continuing to try and solve this problem!




"C J." wrote:

> Hi Cindy,.
>
> I believe you said the drive was your F: drive... one final thing will tell
> us if the drive is completely toasted - or perhaps Windows is screwed up in
> some way that can be fixed.
>
> I don't want to get your hopes up...
>
> Press Start, Run - type CMD... at C:\ prompt.. Type F: [Enter]
>
> If your fortunate enough to see an F:\ prompt - and not an "Invalid drive
> Specification" or "The system cannot find the drive specified" error
> messages - the next thing I'd try is Chkdsk F: /r /f
>
> Reboot the system, and see if the drive becomes visible.
>
> One site I looked at today discussed an internal hard drive not being
> visible in "my computer", - and one of the admins there suggested the OP
> shut down his computer, remove the Hard drive, remove the battery on the
> motherboard and let it completely lose any milli-voltage (leave it set for
> 24 hours,) before reversing the procedure. Since the original poster never
> got back to them with the results, attempting this with a problem drive
> might not be worth while trying.
>
> Harddrives go out in some unique ways. I had a ST32231 seagate drives
> circuit board frapp while my computer was running. The platters and heads
> inside the drive are still good ( I never had a lick of trouble with it
> until the card shorted out.) If I could find a replacement drive with a
> good circuit board I'd attempt a swap. I already told you about my IBM
> Deskstar. I just hope someone didn't find it in the trash and try to use it.
> heh.
>
> At anyrate let us know what you find out.
>
> "Rock" <Rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:Ol0uCcpnHHA.208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> > "Cindy" wrote
> > <snip>
> >
> >> Can you delete a partition without wiping out the files?
> >
> > No.
> >
> > --
> > Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]
>
>
>