WD Green Not Detected During Windows Install

[Dula0023]

I know there are other posts on this topic, but I haven't found any that quite are equivalent to my case. For some reason, I cannot find my WD Green 1tb HDD in the bios menu, and thus cannot install windows 8.1, as I built my own computer. My HDD seems to be functioning because it is making some noise and feels like there are some slight movements inside. My optical drive is working well, so I switched the sata cords and the optical drive works but the HDD is still not being detected. I also switched the sata ports, on both the optical drive and HDD, the optical works but the HDD still does not show. I am down to two potential options because the cables appear to work, and the ports as well; a dead HDD or an improper bios setup. I am at a loss as to how to move forward. I can get a new HDD easy enough, but would like to know if it is necessary before I do so. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Motherboard:ASUS M5A97 R2.0
CPU: AMD FX 6300
GPU: Raedon R9 270x
PSU: XFX ts 550W
Case: Coolermaster Elite 430
HDD: WD Green 1tb
Optical Drive: Samsung SATA 1.5 Gb-s Optical Drive, Black

 

[USAFRet]

If you can't see it in the BIOS, either it is not connected correctly, or broken.

 

[ronintexas]

Check your SATA mode in the BIOS - for your drive and Windows 8.1, you should have the drive setup as AHCI. I have the same mobo on my wife's computer - I had to set the Optical drive on SATA port #5 or #6, and set it in BIOS to be Legacy IDE. The Hard Drive(s)/SSD drive(s) should be on SATA #1-#4, and should be set to AHCI in BIOS. Make sure that secure boot and fast boot are disabled, and set the Boot order to be the DVD (boot devices must have a boot partition on them, or they won't be seen) - so your hard drive won't be in the boot menu yet.

Boot from the DVD, install Windows, then verify that the boot order is your hard drive then your DVD (or disable option #2) so things boot faster. After you update to Windows 8.1 and all patches, you can enable fast boot and secure boot.

 

[Dula0023]

I can't seem to find a way to disable secure boot. I get a bunch of options when i click on the secure boot option. I have fast boot disabled though.

 

[ronintexas]

Since it didn't detect a hard drive with a partition on it, it may be disabled by default - give it a shot to install on the HDD....

 

[Dula0023]

Got to the step after activation key, but still says windows cannot find any drivers. In the bios the driver is showing when I attempt a SATA configuration, but SATA ports 1-5 show "Not Present"

 

[ronintexas]

It sounds like the drive isn't functioning properly - if you have another computer you can try it in, it may save you a trip to the store. If not, you can return the drive as it appears to be non-functional.

 

[Dula0023]

Got an old Dell at my folks. I will give that a try and see if I can get any response.

 

[ronintexas]

There is always a chance it could be a cable (power or SATA) or the mobo. Since the HDD is new - I would assume the drive is bad....but that may not be the case. You can visually inspect the SATA and power cable for damage.

 

[Dula0023]

Plugged it into my dads, and it did not appear on his computer either, with a working cord and input. It must be the HDD.

 

[ronintexas]

I am virtually 100% sure you have a DOA HDD. If you can take it back to the store and exchange it - do that....if not, RMA it through the manufacturer.

 

[Dula0023]

At least I know. Any recommendations? I am looking at a 1tb. Got any grudge against WD Blue?

 

[ronintexas]

I purchase almost exclusively the WD drives. WD Black are the best performance drives - the WD Blue are good drives (I have them in several of my PC's) - especially when you consider budget constraints. For desktop PC's - either the blue or black will work good...

 

[Dula0023]

Thanks for the help!