Win 8.1 can't see extra sata hdd

[madwullie]

I have a new build win 8.1 pc. My old hdd has all my files on it, and has win 7 installed.

Im trying to get my old files so I've plugged the old hdd in to sata ports.

I can't see the drive at all in win 8, but it is visible in bios.

Any help gratefully received.

 

[madwullie]

I should add that this drive is visible in BIOS

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome, madwullie!

Have you checked if the SATA drive from your previous PC is visible in Disk Management and Device Manager in Windows 8, besides BIOS? I'd suggest you to check the SATA connections and maybe try with a different SATA cable in a different port on the mobo.
Another thing you can do is use the diskpart command in Command Prompt to list all your storage drives. Use the listdisk command from this tutorial: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766465?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Have you tried the drive on your old computer? Is it detectable there?

Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[madwullie]

Sadly my old computer died which is why I've built this new one so can't check there. Will try disc manager when I get home

Thanks for the response.

It did try to boot from that disc when I first built the machine and put it in to see if it was working, so I disconnected it in order to install the OS on my new drive, which makes me think the sata port and cables are working fine

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Sadly my old computer died which is why I've built this new one so can't check there. Will try disc manager when I get home

Thanks for the response.

It did try to boot from that disc when I first built the machine and put it in to see if it was working, so I disconnected it in order to install the OS on my new drive, which makes me think the sata port and cables are working fine

Okay then, madwullie! When you get home and check if the drive is detected in Disk Management and/or Device Manager, you should definitely test it using your manufacturer's diagnostics tool to identify what is the health and SMART status of that HDD.
I'd also try using a docking station or a SATA-to-USB cable with an adapter to try to access the hard drive externally.

Good luck! Keep me updated!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[madwullie]

Turned my PC on. Drive was visible. No idea what happened but that'll do me.

Thanks for your suggestions