HDD not getting recognized

[L_D_G]

So my build is supposed to support a main HDD for my OS and three other HDDs that I came converting from being external. One of those drives went in and was recognized like a dream. The other two are having their share of issues. One thinks it needs to be formatted (I was just accessing it earlier today and safely removed it after use). The other one isn't even being recognized. My cables are all brand new. No reason to think it has failed...I mean, it has been unplugged and out of its enclosure for a few weeks so maybe there is something I don't know (it is backed up though).

Anyway, would love to hear any solutions. Thanks!

Update: I decided to try hooking them back up as externals. The one that wanted to be formatted I can only see in Devices and Printers and in the Device Manager. Don't know how to make it accessible though. The drive that would not pop up seems to be fine. Best I can tell is that I have bad SATA data cables or bad SATA ports on the mobo.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, @L_D_G!

I'd advise you go to Disk management in Windows and check how your HDDs are listed there. Posting a screenshot via Imgur from there would really help me get an idea of what you could be dealing with. What exactly do you plan for your storage setup? I'd recommend you consider using those external HDD either in their enclosures or internally via SATA as secondary HDDs. Swapping the connections all the time will most probably require you to re-format the HDDs all the time. Most of the external cases are configured with different LBAs that are not the same as the 512e typical for the SATA connection. Another thing you should be aware of is that taking the HDDs out of their original enclosures has voided their warranty as well, so be careful and backup all your files all the time to at least 2 locations (different HDDs/storage devices). This is how you will avoid any potential data loss in the future.

Hope this helps you.
Keep me posted with your Disk management situation and make sure you back up your files prior to tampering with the storage.

SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

I can post a screen shot...you want both HDDs plugged in for it?

Only reason for having to repeatedly unplug them was just to test ports and cables. Long shot solution, yes, but I couldn't think of anything else to do.

 

[L_D_G]

Here is a shot of Disk Manager with none of the drives plugged in

and here is a shot of DM with both drives plugged in

I also get a pop up asking to recognize the disks as MBR or something else. In my head, I don't want to boot from either, so I go with the other option (which I think says it doesn't work on prior editions of Windows...?)

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hello there again, @L_D_G!

I'd suggest you keep using them as externals even though their warranty is voided. According to these screenshots, both external HDDs are recognized by the system but they are Unformatted and that's why they are unaccessible through the file explorer. In order to gain access back to them, you need to Re-format them through the Disk Management.

What the pop-up window is probably is saying is that your larger external drive (3 TB) needs to get initialized in GPT. This has nothing to do with booting though, this is the partition table that hard drives use when in use. You have two options MBR (Master Boot Record Partition table) and GPT (GUID Partition table). The difference is that MBR is unable to read or use larger than 2 TB HDDs. That's why it's essential to have bigger drives initialized as GPT. You can read through this article if you are interested in the details regarding partition tables.

Basically in order to be able to access the externals, you will have to re-format them again. Follow the tutorials in the hyperlinks above. Just make sure you don't have anything important stored on these drives beforehand. Re-formatting will erase all their contents.

Keep me posted if you have more questions or concerns.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

So what you're telling me is that I need a big new external HD to serve as a back up and back both up...then format them and throw the data back on.

...that would work, right?

Follow up question: why didn't my third external that I had installed during initial boot have this problem? Standard WD external like these two.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Yes, @L_D_G, that would work! The more backups you have in different storage devices, the safer you will feel about their intergrity!
I'm sorry but I didn't know you were talking about 2 WD external HDDs. What are their models? Some of our external HDD models (e.g. My Book, My Passport) incorporate a hardware-based encryption that basically will give you a lot of issues when trying to access the capacity without the original enclosure. Another reason is that larger external HDDs (above 1 TB) usually have a differently configured external enclosures (LBAs), which could also explain why you are facing issues with their proper recognition in the system.

You should also be aware that most external HDDs incorporate drives that are power-efficient and have lower RPM than other standard desktop internal HDDs. If you plan to upgrade your build and use demanding software or games, you should definitely consider getting a more powerful 7,200 RPM HDD or just use a solid-state drive (SSD) for optimal system performance.

Hope this was helpful.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

Altogether, I have five WDs now. This build has one purchased for it and one of my My Books was installed for the initial boot (luckily, that one didn't have formatting problems). I have an Elements that serves as back up for the other two, one of which is an Elements and the other is a My Book.

The only ones not backed up are the back up and the two in the computer. I need to check this weekend to see if I added anything after the back up or not because if I didn't, then this weekend I'm formatting both, putting them in the computer and putting the data back on.

Also, I think my smallest external now is 1.5 TB. I believe I have a pair of 3s as well. Not sure off hand about the others.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, @L_D_G!

No matter what attempts you will be making this weekend, make sure you don't void the warranty on all your WD external drives. Taking the internal HDDs out of their enclosure will do that and those that incorporate a hardware encryption (like the WD My Books) won't be accessible with the original casing. This basically means that you might not be able to retrieve any data, if you are required to reformat the HDD while connected via SATA to the PC.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting, though.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

My back up will remain in it's enclosure, so no void there!

I didn't run into any encryption with the My Book already in there so hopefully I'll have the same luck with my other one.

 

[L_D_G]

So I just tried plugging both in by USB since I can't work with them on SATA. No idea what happened, but I think the piece that converts SATA to A/C and USB needs to be replaced. I am struggling to get the power connection to stabilize. I've used the piece from all drives and both power cables and I am somehow having the same problem. It's like they know they're disconnected and have a killswitch. Glad all the data is backed up.

Each drive does have an 8 prong output next to the SATA...could that be of assistance?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Are you referring to the Molex power connector, @L_D_G? To supply power to the drive you may use either the SATA power connector or the legacy ATA-4-pin (Molex) power connector on the back of the drive. Here's a picture of it. If your drive has both power connectors, do not connect both the SATA and the legacy ATA power cable to the drive at the same time. This may result in further damage to the HDD.
If there's something wrong with the connector on it, I'd definitely consider replacing the drive altogether. Have you tried using a docking station as an external connection to the HDD? See if you will be able to get it properly recognized from there.

SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

The Molex is what I'm talking about. Could I get away with Molex power and SATA data?

Have not attempted a docking station. I have a local computer repair place willing to back up and format for $130. Trying to keep any in house repairs under $20. Molex appears to be fairly cheap and I can see it being a good cable to have around. The docking station actually seems like something I might go after once these are filled. It'll keep everything neat and organized.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there again, @L_D_G!

I'd strongly recommend you go through this tutorial from our knowledge base about physically installing & setting up your hard drives. You always need to connect 3.5" (desktop) HDDs to both the PSU via the molex cable and to the mobo via the SATA cable. Otherwise, you won't be able to get them properly recognized by the system.

Hope it helps you.
Just don't forget to keep multiple copies in different locations (drives) and avoid the data loss headaches.

Cheers,
SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

I have two hard drives currently working properly connected by SATA for both power and data. No Molex.

Since this third HDD is having trouble with it's SATA power input, I was wondering if I could use Molex power and SATA data, NOT SATA power.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

It's okay as long as you use only one of the power cable options, @L_D_G! Do not try BOTH the SATA power and the Molex as this will overpower the drive to the point of frying it. You can definitely try supplying the HDD with power from the Molex cable, if the SATA power cable is not working properly for it.

If you have access to another working PC, check how the HDD will get recognized there!

SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

I have tried with two computers. It's down to that triangular SATA to USB piece. I've played with just that piece and the power cord and the connection is simply not stable. I'll check out my options for Molex cables today.

 

[L_D_G]

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-8-Pin-Molex/dp/B01DV1Z428/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482340643&sr=8-1&keywords=8+pin+molex+to+sata+power+adapter

Would this be what I'm looking for? I'm not sure I'm using any of the 4 pin peripheral cable from the PSU, and the HDD takes an 8 pin Molex. I'm assuming that would be the connection? PSU>Molex power cable>HDD.

The hitch I'm wondering about...being able to back up the drive even if I can get power to it. If I use the Molex power cable, should I use the SATA data or the USB data to try it? I had previously accessed this drive without a problem on this computer using USB.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

I'd strongly recommend you check your PSU compatibility with the cables first, @L_D_G.
If you will be using the Molex cable for power, you need to connect the SATA data cable to the mobo as for the power connection, you are right! It is PSU > Molex power cable > HDD.

If you will be plugging the HDD externally, then you can use the USB external enclosure or a docking station that usually come with an additional AC adapter that is connected to the power current (via power plug).

I hope everything works properly!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[L_D_G]

I did, my PSU's peripheral cables should match up.

What I'm trying to figure out is which computer to hook it up to first, and how. SATA data on this desktop has only been recognizable in Disk Management. USB has always wanted to formatted. If I use the Molex to power it, I feel like I could plug it in via USB to a laptop and hopefully get it backed up.

 

[L_D_G]

It appears that it was not a Molex power connector. Mine came in the mail today and were much too large to fit. There is an amazon link above to show you what I bought and I am posting a picture of the port in question on my external here:
Left to right of course is SATA power, SATA data, and something that does not appear to be Molex.

I'm still hoping to fix this myself, but the $120 I was quoted for back up and format is starting to look better and better.