New ssd old hdd folders are all empty

[Geckoet]

Hi, I have installed new SSD with Win7 64 bit, new SSD works perfect, however old HDD which I want to use as storage and to access old programs and photos and music and videos appears to be dead. All of the folders are "empty".

But if I unplug my SDD and replug HDD and boot from the HDD it will work perfectly and all the files are right where they belong.

So what gives, why can't I access my photos, docs, music etc. when the SDD is booted but I can when the HDD is booted.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

What is the brand and model of your motherboard?

Plug in both drives and start the pc. Immediately go into the motherboard's System BIOS. Check the storage drive section and see if both drives are listed. On newer motherboards the storage section might only show the C: drive initially. You'll have to add the hard drive and designate the ssd as the boot drive. That should solve the part of the problem for starters. There's more to do but it can wait.

Try that and let us know what happens.

 

[rdzona]

By saying all folders are "empty" I'm assuming you can access the drive you just can't get any data off of it? Do you get any kind of access denied type of messages? What OS were you using on the hdd?

 

[JohnnyLucky]

rdzona - Good point.

 

[Geckoet]

I have a ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) mobo with 1G Hitachi SATA HDD. The HDD shows up and I can see every folder and directory but when I open them there is nothing inside.

 

[Geckoet]

there is no error message there is just nothing there. The HDD is also running Win7 64

 

[djscribbles]

Do you have hidden/system files set to be visible? It's possible some strange thing has hidden all the files or your other windows install is flagging them as protected.

Under "Organize"->"Folder Options"-> (2nd tab i think) there is an option for Show Hidden files and a checkbox for show protected system files.

It's also possible some strange permissions have been configured in your old HDD windows install that cause the files to only be readable by your user account.

 

[rdzona]

It's also possible some strange permissions have been configured in your old HDD windows install that cause the files to only be readable by your user account.

^^This is what I'm thinking. May have to try to open as an admin or in safe mode or something like that. It seems like a privilege issue.

 

[RetiredChief]

When you installed windows on the SSD, did you have the HDD disconnected (normal prcaution).

 

[Geckoet]

Thank you for your answers.

Yes the HDD was disconnected when I did the SSD install.
I will give that permissions a look