Question HDD spins, BIOS reads HDD, but windows/disk manager doesn't?

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TryingtoFix

TryingtoFix

Aug 31, 2024
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4tb seagate baracuda.

After my pc stopped working, maybe due to a bad PSU, bad motherboard, I don't know, I got my hard drives all removed and my two SSDs seem fine, but my 4tb Seagate baracuda HDD, no windows installed on it just a secondary internal hard drive, the one with lots of important files on it, spins up when plugged into another PC directly, it shows correct storage in bios, but not windows/file explorer, like, AT ALL. Not "unknown", not "not initialized" ... nothing. Doesn't show in device manager either, its like it literally does not exist.

The drive showed NO signs of slowing down or death before this. It still spins just fine, no clicking, seems completely and utterly fine

I have no earthly idea what went wrong with my PC which makes this so frustrating. Its definitely not the data cable because another HDD works just fine when plugged into another PC, but this hard drive is a ghost!

It spins, BIOS reads it, but in windows it might as well not exist.

What could possibly cause a drive to spin, be read in bios, but basically not exist as far as windows is concerned? Ive used this Hard drive for 2.5 years with zero issues.
 
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Not "unknown", not "not initialized" ... nothing. Doesn't show in device manager either, its like it literally does not exist.
Chances are the PCB/controller/a fuse on the HDD went out. I wouldn't mess with it and try and look for a professional data recovery specialist in your locality.

What could possibly cause a drive to spin, be read in bios, but basically not exist as far as windows is concerned?
Part of the drive is receiving power, is my guess.
 
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Lutfij said:
Not "unknown", not "not initialized" ... nothing. Doesn't show in device manager either, its like it literally does not exist.
Chances are the PCB/controller/a fuse on the HDD went out. I wouldn't mess with it and try and look for a professional data recovery specialist in your locality.

What could possibly cause a drive to spin, be read in bios, but basically not exist as far as windows is concerned?
Part of the drive is receiving power, is my guess.
Click to expand...
Wouldnt a PCB issue manifest in the drive not even spinning at all?

It spins, bios even reads it, but windows doesn't detect it whatsoever

Edit: nevermind, missed your second part
 
Last edited:
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SkyNetRising said:
Please show BIOS screenshots.
Also screenshots from
Disk Management,​
Device Manager - disk drives and storage controllers sections expanded and​
Windows Storage Spaces (Control Panel/Storage Spaces)​
​
(upload to imgur.com and post link)
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I dont have any at this moment but want to provide them soon.

But basically, it shows up in bios completely normally (4 tb, model name)

But in windows, nothing, absolutely nothing, as if it were not even plugged in
 
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have you clicked on "this pc" , then "more options", then click manage" when "computer management" page pops up click on ""disk management" (understorage option)..
if it shows there but as "offline" click it and select "online" if its not there click "ACTION" (at top of screen) then "rescan"

this should make it show up and working ( you might have to allocate it a "drive designation"..
 
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steveb1976 said:
have you clicked on "this pc" , then "more options", then click manage" when "computer management" page pops up click on ""disk management" (understorage option)..
if it shows there but as "offline" click it and select "online" if its not there click "ACTION" (at top of screen) then "rescan"

this should make it show up and working ( you might have to allocate it a "drive designation"..
Click to expand...
The disk did not appear in disk management whatsoever

my main theory is some sort of firmware issue atm, so I sent it to data recovery, I will keep this thread posted on if its successful
 
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fzabkar said:
The identity information for Seagate HDDs is usually stored in the reserved System Area on the platters.
Click to expand...
Also hopefully if it is a firmware issue the firmware that's damaged is not the unique unfixable firmware, but rather something that can be fixed by specialized equipment, if it is a firmware issue
 
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