PC won't recognize external USB storage after installing Win7 on SSD

[TTangent]

I recently purchased a SanDisk SSD Plus 240GB. I've been using a WD HDD with Windows 7 until now. I connected the SSD and installed Win7 on it. The installation went fine with no hickups, and I started my computer.

Now, for some reason, my PC doesn't recognize any external USB storage devices like flash drives or external hard drives. I know for sure that my USB ports are functioning because I have other things plugged into them. Since installing Win7, I haven't installed anything else other than the drivers for my USB network adapter, so I'm working with what is essentially a fresh install.

When I plug in the storage device, my PC doesn't even make that sound (through my speakers) that it normally makes when you plug something in, but the power lights on my external hard drives DO light up when I plug them in.

When plugged in, I can't see the drives in disk management, nor can I see them in My Computer.

Literally the only thing that's changed is that I'm now using a SSD with Win7 instead of a HDD with Win7, and everything worked with my HDD.

Please help! Thank you in advance!

Quick update: After posting this, I reinstalled Windows 7. After booting, my USB 2.0 ports DO recognize the hard drives, but the 3.0 ports don't! What?!

 

[popatim]

usb3 needs drivers since they arent built into win7,

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to the community, TTangent!

Just like @popatim mentioned, you'd need the USB 3.0 controller drivers from your motherboard manufacturer. You can install those from the Drivers Pack that came with the mobo or go to their website, find your model and download the drivers from there.
Once they are installed successfully, your WD external and your other USB 3.0 compatible devices should be properly recognized, working with the expected transfer rate. ( Check this article from our KB: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=2oD0HC )

Hope this was helpful. Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[TTangent]

That's excellent, thanks a lot guys. I installed the drivers from the disk that came with the motherboard and now they work just fine. Such a simple solution, thank you!