Current Events > I need some computer help. A hard drive has completely disappeared.

(+) Yeah! (+)

For the second time, it has disappeared. I just got a notification in the corner about a disk being... disconnected or something? And it doesn't show up in Windows Explorer. And a Steam app that I was running, a desktop wallpaper app, suddenly crashed because of that. I have all my Steam stuff on this hard drive.

So what the hell is going on? It panicked me enough the first time, and this time, I'm even more worried again. I'm sure it'll come back again if I restart the PC... at least, I hope... But this shouldn't be happening at all.
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My first suggestion, pop the case and change out some SATA Cables. Well, check their connection first, then change them out if they aren't loose.

Failing that, back up the drive somehow, because the drive may be going dead.
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Download HD Tune Pro and check the disc to see if it's failing.
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Crazyman93 posted...

Failing that, back up the drive somehow, because the drive may be going dead.

Fishy posted...

Download HD Tune Pro and check the disc to see if it's failing.

Well, these prospects are incredibly worrying. ;_;
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It happens, hard drives only last for about four or five years depending on use. I got mine in 2012 and used it as my C drive and two months ago it started to fail. Now I use it as a media drive to lessen the load.
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Fishy posted...

It happens, hard drives only last for about four or five years depending on use. I got mine in 2012 and used it as my C drive and two months ago it started to fail. Now I use it as a media drive to lessen the load.

I got this back in 2013 or so, I think. Maybe 2014. Regardless, the other hard drive isn't having any problems.

Also, "lessen the load"? Would having a bunch of stuff on a hard drive cause it to fail? It would make sense, since that's where I put all my Steam stuff and... various torrents. _

And I restarted the PC, and I still don't see the hard drive popping up. Should I shut it down, then turn it back on?
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buy a new computer. Shouldn't be hard. Treat yourself.
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CrazyandLazy posted...

buy a new computer. Shouldn't be hard. Treat yourself.

That doesn't save his data. Some people use their PCs to do more than shit post on the internet.

Kisai posted...

And I restarted the PC, and I still don't see the hard drive popping up. Should I shut it down, then turn it back on?

Again, pop the case off and check the cables, it could be something as simple as that. Basic trouble shooting: Rule out Cheap and Easy fixes first.

While you're at it, blow the dust out.
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it might also be worth trying the iffy hard drive in the working one's slot; the issue could be the slot itself.
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Pancake posted...

it might also be worth trying the iffy hard drive in the working one's slot; the issue could be the slot itself.

That's true. You could also use a free SATA Data slot on the board for the same thing. Don't assume the Drive is bad until you rule out connections.
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Crazyman93 posted...

That doesn't save his data. Some people use their PCs to do more than s*** post on the internet.

if that's the case then he would have saved his important docs on cloud or some crap. Plus, all he mentioned was Steam. It's not hard to redownload games unless he lives under a rock in Afghanistan.
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CrazyandLazy posted...

Crazyman93 posted...

That doesn't save his data. Some people use their PCs to do more than s*** post on the internet.

if that's the case then he would have saved his important docs on cloud or some crap. Plus, all he mentioned was Steam. It's not hard to redownload games unless he lives under a rock in Afghanistan.

Some people don't want to redo entire save games. Don't be an asshole.
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Crazyman93 posted...

CrazyandLazy posted...

Crazyman93 posted...

That doesn't save his data. Some people use their PCs to do more than s*** post on the internet.

if that's the case then he would have saved his important docs on cloud or some crap. Plus, all he mentioned was Steam. It's not hard to redownload games unless he lives under a rock in Afghanistan.

Some people don't want to redo entire save games. Don't be an asshole.

Why are you being emotional? Serious legit buy a new computer. Holidays are rolling around the corner. SSDs bro.
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Crazyman93 posted...

Again, pop the case off and check the cables, it could be something as simple as that. Basic trouble shooting: Rule out Cheap and Easy fixes first.

While you're at it, blow the dust out.

Yeah, I was kinda thinking, it gets a ton of dust collected on it... Might not be helping.



CrazyandLazy posted...

Crazyman93 posted...

CrazyandLazy posted...

Crazyman93 posted...

That doesn't save his data. Some people use their PCs to do more than s*** post on the internet.

if that's the case then he would have saved his important docs on cloud or some crap. Plus, all he mentioned was Steam. It's not hard to redownload games unless he lives under a rock in Afghanistan.

Some people don't want to redo entire save games. Don't be an asshole.

Why are you being emotional? Serious legit buy a new computer. Holidays are rolling around the corner. SSDs bro.

Yeah, but I've got a lot of stuff I've done on this. It'd be nice not to lose it all. Even something like downloading an entire library of stream games and other torrents would be a nightmare to get back. Also, I don't buy store-bought PCs. This is a custom PC.
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Alright, well, I tried taking out the hard drive, but one of the connectors came off. I hope I can put the right one back in.



The hard drive I took out and disconnected by accident? That's the 1TB hard drive that has Windows. So if I can't get that one back in, I'm doubly screwed. ;_; Guess I'll try to check out the 3TB hard drive that I've been having troubles with. That's the one with all my Steam stuff and more. But all these stupid cords in the way...
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There are 2 cables that goes into a SATA harddrive. The SATA cable, and the power cable. You need both to power on the hard drive.

I tried to look for some simple videos for what to connect, hope they help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSM0lSATdEk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZr8Pr3_vE
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It's your own fault for not backing your shit up on a second hard drive:

Yay, my second hard drive is back. And hopefully forever!

Nikra posted...

It's your own fault for not backing your shit up on a second hard drive:

You mean like this?



C and D are from the same hard drive.
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Kisai posted...

Yay, my second hard drive is back. And hopefully forever!

Nikra posted...

It's your own fault for not backing your shit up on a second hard drive:

You mean like this?



C and D are from the same hard drive.

2TB+ can be a problem later on recovering data.

Yeah, it looks like your power cables were just loose. Not too hard to shove them back into place.
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