Vista - Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate

03-20-2008

Hi Colin,

Assigning a drive letter did not produce any beneficial effects; it's still
treated as a disk that needs to be formatted, one that doesn't seem to be
formally recognized by the operating system.

If you have any further ideas, I would love to hear them.

Thanks!

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

Quote:

> Assign it a drive letter. That does not format the drive.
>
> "husky86" <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:3692FE7A-92B2-43FE-9760-55EF086F7F19@xxxxxx

Quote:

> > During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
> > Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words,
> > I
> > was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
> > definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
> >
> > I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi
> > drive
> > still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive
> > (Disk
> > 1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
> >
> > Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be
> > the
> > internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of
> > the
> > present situation:
> >
> > http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
> >
> > Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I
> > attempted
> > to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
> > reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
> > However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
> > constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use
> > it.
> >
> > Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
> >
> > Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
> > extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
> > possible.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
> > "Hueyd" wrote:
> >

Quote:

> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use
> >> for
> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is
> >> gone.
> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way
> >> I
> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok.
> >> But I
> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
> >>
> >>
> >> "husky86" wrote:
> >>
> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have
> >> > encountered
> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm
> >> > hoping
> >> > there is a workaround.
> >> >
> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This
> >> > desktop
> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it
> >> > I
> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting
> >> > Vista into
> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable
> >> > Vista
> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
> >> >
> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working
> >> > anymore --
> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be
> >> > recognized.
> >> > It's been missing ever since.
> >> >
> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
> >> >
> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive
> >> > now,
> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
> >> >
> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside
> >> > of
> >> > reinstalling Vista?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!

>

03-20-2008

chkdsk x:
Don't specify any flags.

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
<husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

>How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check
>the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
>
>Thanks!
>
>
>"andy" wrote:
>

Quote:

>> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
>> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>>

Quote:

>> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
>> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I
>> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
>> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
>> >
>> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
>> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk
>> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
>> >
>> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the
>> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the
>> >present situation:

>>
>> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
>> the file system isn't being recognized.

Quote:

>> >
>> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
>> >
>> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted
>> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
>> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
>> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
>> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it.

>>
>> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
>> sees?
>>

Quote:

>> >
>> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?

>>
>> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
>> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
>>

Quote:

>> >
>> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
>> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
>> >possible.
>> >
>> >Thanks!
>> >
>> >
>> >"Hueyd" wrote:
>> >
>> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use for
>> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone.
>> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I
>> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I
>> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "husky86" wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered
>> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping
>> >> > there is a workaround.
>> >> >
>> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop
>> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I
>> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into
>> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista
>> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
>> >> >
>> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore --
>> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized.
>> >> > It's been missing ever since.
>> >> >
>> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
>> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
>> >> >
>> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
>> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
>> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
>> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now,
>> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
>> >> >
>> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of
>> >> > reinstalling Vista?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks!

>>
>>

03-20-2008

Andy,

Here's the results:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\>chkdsk x:
The type of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.

C:\>

Any further suggestions?

Thanks!

"andy" wrote:

Quote:

> chkdsk x:
> Don't specify any flags.
>
> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>

Quote:

> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check
> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >
> >"andy" wrote:
> >

Quote:

> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I
> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
> >> >
> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk
> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
> >> >
> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the
> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the
> >> >present situation:
> >>
> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
> >> the file system isn't being recognized.
> >> >
> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
> >> >
> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted
> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it.
> >>
> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
> >> sees?
> >>
> >> >
> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
> >>
> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
> >>
> >> >
> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
> >> >possible.
> >> >
> >> >Thanks!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >"Hueyd" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use for
> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone.
> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I
> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I
> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "husky86" wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered
> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping
> >> >> > there is a workaround.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop
> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I
> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into
> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista
> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore --
> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized.
> >> >> > It's been missing ever since.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now,
> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of
> >> >> > reinstalling Vista?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks!
> >>
> >>

>
>

03-20-2008

If this is a new HD or hasn't been set up yet.. do the following..

Go to Control Panel ..<-- Administration Tools.. <--Computer Mgmt..-- > Disk
Mgmt.

Set your HD up..

RJB

"husky86" <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FB249E65-1C14-4493-942E-13E16F30D0EB@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Andy,
>
> Here's the results:
>
> Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
> Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
>
> C:\>chkdsk x:
> The type of the file system is RAW.
> CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
>
>
> C:\>
>
> Any further suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> "andy" wrote:
>

Quote:

>> chkdsk x:
>> Don't specify any flags.
>>
>> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
>> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>>

Quote:

>> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to
>> >check
>> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
>> >
>> >Thanks!
>> >
>> >
>> >"andy" wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
>> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of
>> >> >Service
>> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other
>> >> >words, I
>> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
>> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
>> >> >
>> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB
>> >> >Hitachi drive
>> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C
>> >> >drive (Disk
>> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
>> >> >
>> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to
>> >> >be the
>> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a
>> >> >snapshot of the
>> >> >present situation:
>> >>
>> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
>> >> the file system isn't being recognized.
>> >> >
>> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
>> >> >
>> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I
>> >> >attempted
>> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
>> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter
>> >> >(X).)
>> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
>> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can
>> >> >use it.
>> >>
>> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
>> >> sees?
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
>> >>
>> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
>> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
>> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at
>> >> >all
>> >> >possible.
>> >> >
>> >> >Thanks!
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >"Hueyd" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I
>> >> >> use for
>> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it
>> >> >> is gone.
>> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The
>> >> >> only way I
>> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am
>> >> >> ok. But I
>> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it
>> >> >> wakes up.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "husky86" wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have
>> >> >> > encountered
>> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users;
>> >> >> > I'm hoping
>> >> >> > there is a workaround.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive).
>> >> >> > This desktop
>> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first
>> >> >> > acquired it I
>> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after
>> >> >> > putting Vista into
>> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always
>> >> >> > enable Vista
>> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working
>> >> >> > anymore --
>> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be
>> >> >> > recognized.
>> >> >> > It's been missing ever since.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device
>> >> >> > Manager
>> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web
>> >> >> > where
>> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives.
>> >> >> > Supposedly this
>> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the
>> >> >> > release of
>> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard
>> >> >> > drive now,
>> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever...
>> >> >> > outside of
>> >> >> > reinstalling Vista?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks!
>> >>
>> >>

>>
>>

03-21-2008

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86
<husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

>Andy,
>
>Here's the results:
>
>Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
>Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
>
>C:\>chkdsk x:
>The type of the file system is RAW.
>CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
>
>
>C:\>
>
>Any further suggestions?

Try a file recovery program.

Quote:

>
>Thanks!
>
>
>
>"andy" wrote:
>

Quote:

>> chkdsk x:
>> Don't specify any flags.
>>
>> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
>> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>>

Quote:

>> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check
>> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
>> >
>> >Thanks!
>> >
>> >
>> >"andy" wrote:
>> >
>> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
>> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
>> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I
>> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
>> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
>> >> >
>> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
>> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk
>> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
>> >> >
>> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the
>> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the
>> >> >present situation:
>> >>
>> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
>> >> the file system isn't being recognized.
>> >> >
>> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
>> >> >
>> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted
>> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
>> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
>> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
>> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it.
>> >>
>> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
>> >> sees?
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
>> >>
>> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
>> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
>> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
>> >> >possible.
>> >> >
>> >> >Thanks!
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >"Hueyd" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use for
>> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone.
>> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I
>> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I
>> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "husky86" wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered
>> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping
>> >> >> > there is a workaround.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop
>> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I
>> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into
>> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista
>> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore --
>> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized.
>> >> >> > It's been missing ever since.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
>> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
>> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
>> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
>> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now,
>> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of
>> >> >> > reinstalling Vista?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks!
>> >>
>> >>

>>
>>

03-21-2008

Any recovery programs you'd recommend in this situation?

Kevin

"Andy" wrote:

Quote:

> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86
> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
>

Quote:

> >Andy,
> >
> >Here's the results:
> >
> >Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
> >Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
> >
> >C:\>chkdsk x:
> >The type of the file system is RAW.
> >CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
> >
> >
> >C:\>
> >
> >Any further suggestions?

>
> Try a file recovery program.
>

Quote:

> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >
> >
> >"andy" wrote:
> >

Quote:

> >> chkdsk x:
> >> Don't specify any flags.
> >>
> >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check
> >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
> >> >
> >> >Thanks!
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >"andy" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
> >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
> >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I
> >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
> >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
> >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk
> >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the
> >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the
> >> >> >present situation:
> >> >>
> >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
> >> >> the file system isn't being recognized.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted
> >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
> >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
> >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
> >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it.
> >> >>
> >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
> >> >> sees?
> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
> >> >>
> >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
> >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
> >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
> >> >> >possible.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Thanks!
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use for
> >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone.
> >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I
> >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I
> >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "husky86" wrote:
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered
> >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping
> >> >> >> > there is a workaround.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop
> >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I
> >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into
> >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista
> >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore --
> >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized.
> >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
> >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
> >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
> >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
> >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now,
> >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of
> >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Thanks!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>

>

03-25-2008

The following is a report on the final situation associated with this missing
hard drive. If anyone has any information on what this technician (below)
referred to as a "involuntary drive swap" I would be thrilled to hear about
it. Thus far I cannot find anything within the Microsoft knowledge base
about it:

I tried a complete reinitialization of the C: drive to see if Vista would
then recognize the internal 1 TB drive. This was recommended by the
computer's manufacturer.

As expected, reinstalling Vista (clean installation) did nothing as far as
enabling it to be able to recognize the missing hard drive.

So I contacted a data recovery service today and we agreed to begin the
attempted process of data recovery.

Even though I was a little hesitant about the potentialities and/or
ramifications, a large number of data recovery efforts are performed remotely
by this service, as long as the operating system can recognize the drive
through the bios. After about 30 minutes of turning over my computer to this
expert (remotely), I was shocked to find out from this same technician that
Vista had performed a type of â€œinvoluntary drive swapâ€ when the Lacie drive
(external) crashed, was disconnected, and after we resumed the computer out
of a sleep mode.

Although the technician could not fully explain how it happens (but said
that they have definitely seen it before on a number of occasions when a hard
drive crashed), Vista automatically renamed and re-lettered the internal 1 TB
Hitachi drive exactly with the specs of the external crashed and disconnected
Lacie hard drive.

Â· Prior to disconnecting the external Lacie drive, it was showing up on the
desktop as "Lacie 1 TB Big Disk (D

â€. After disconnecting, this drive icon
remained in place whenever bringing up My Computer or within any application.
I thought that this was extraordinarily strange and reported it to Voodoo,
but they said that they didn't have an explanation at the time. They
referred everything back to the fact that "once Service Pack 1 is released,
all of these problems will be resolved..." So I really didn't think too much
about just leaving this icon in place.

Â· At the exact same time that we disconnected the Lacie drive -- or at least
in association with the very next wake up -- the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
(drive lable X

disappeared altogether.

Â· Once it performed the swap, it somehow erased all of the files thereon.
How it did this is not clear. The technician also didn't know either.

According to this technician, Vista somehow automatically reassigns one
drive for another in this form of involuntary drive swap. It doesn't happen
that often, but they have seen their fair share. I asked whether or not this
was just for Vista or had they seen it on XP and other Windows OS. The
technician replied that it doesn't matter which version of Windows, "It's
just Windows!" The group of people that I was working with today didn't
sound like they were big fans of the Windows OS.

This technician was able to explain the fact that in reality what I thought
was the external backup was actually the internal 1 TB drive all along.

The ultimate bottom line is that the files are gone. Nonrecoverable --
period.

Since we have been using the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive all along, there is
no recoverable data. The technician searched for any recoverable photo
files, but they were nowhere to be found.

All this time I've thought that I was using the external Lacie drive I was
actually using the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive -- the one showing up as
â€œLacie 1 TB Big Disk (D

â€.

The external Lacie drive has been totally dormant the entire time. It has
not been functioning under any capacities since we received it from Lacie.
One of the primary reasons that I simply didn't know that it wasn't
functioning was because it is located on the opposite side of the desktop
system where I technically can't see the front (to see if the transfer lights
are working from time to time).

This whole situation sounds almost too strange to be true. But there it is.

"husky86" wrote:

Quote:

> Any recovery programs you'd recommend in this situation?
>
> Kevin
>
>
> "Andy" wrote:
>

Quote:

> > On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86
> > <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> >

Quote:

> > >Andy,
> > >
> > >Here's the results:
> > >
> > >Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
> > >Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
> > >
> > >C:\>chkdsk x:
> > >The type of the file system is RAW.
> > >CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.
> > >
> > >
> > >C:\>
> > >
> > >Any further suggestions?

> >
> > Try a file recovery program.
> >

Quote:

> > >
> > >Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >"andy" wrote:
> > >
> > >> chkdsk x:
> > >> Don't specify any flags.
> > >>
> > >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86
> > >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check
> > >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say.
> > >> >
> > >> >Thanks!
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >"andy" wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86
> > >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote:
> > >> >>
> > >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service
> > >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I
> > >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most
> > >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive
> > >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk
> > >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) .
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the
> > >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the
> > >> >> >present situation:
> > >> >>
> > >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is
> > >> >> the file system isn't being recognized.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted
> > >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without
> > >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).)
> > >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm
> > >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it
> > >> >> sees?
> > >> >>
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation?
> > >> >>
> > >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees.
> > >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is
> > >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all
> > >> >> >possible.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >Thanks!
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote:
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D

that I use for
> > >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone.
> > >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I
> > >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I
> > >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up.
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> "husky86" wrote:
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered
> > >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping
> > >> >> >> > there is a workaround.
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop
> > >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I
> > >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into
> > >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista
> > >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again.
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore --
> > >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized.
> > >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since.
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager
> > >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver).
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where
> > >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this
> > >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of
> > >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now,
> > >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released.
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of
> > >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista?
> > >> >> >> >
> > >> >> >> > Thanks!
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >>
> > >>

> >

pcarew · 01-14-2009

January 2009

I have the same issue on a HP DV9810us Laptop running Vista SP1.

On this laptop, if I put a Western Digital 120G hard drive in the second bay, it dissapears when resuming from sleep.

I discovered that if I put a Toshiba 120G drive in the second bay instead, this problem doesn't appear!!

With the WD drive, I tried setting the sleep time to "Never", but this didn't make any difference.

On further investigation (both drives are known to be good), it turns out that the WD drive use the default Microsoft SATA device handler, where as the Toshiba drive uses it's own device driver.

This definitely points to a MS SATA device driver issue.

MS SATA Driver details:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
Driver Version: 6.0.6001.18000
Driver Date: 6/21/2006

I tried running "Driver Update", but Microsoft reported that this was the most up to date driver at this time (January 14th 2009)

Western Digital doesn't provide any updated drivers (or any drivers for that matter) from their web site.

03-20-2008	#11 (permalink)
husky86 n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate Hi Colin, Assigning a drive letter did not produce any beneficial effects; it's still treated as a disk that needs to be formatted, one that doesn't seem to be formally recognized by the operating system. If you have any further ideas, I would love to hear them. Thanks! "Colin Barnhorst" wrote: Quote: > Assign it a drive letter. That does not format the drive. > > "husky86" <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:3692FE7A-92B2-43FE-9760-55EF086F7F19@xxxxxx Quote: > > During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service > > Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, > > I > > was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most > > definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. > > > > I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi > > drive > > still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive > > (Disk > > 1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . > > > > Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be > > the > > internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of > > the > > present situation: > > > > http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg > > > > Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I > > attempted > > to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without > > reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) > > However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm > > constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use > > it. > > > > Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? > > > > Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is > > extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all > > possible. > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > "Hueyd" wrote: > > Quote: > >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use > >> for > >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is > >> gone. > >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way > >> I > >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. > >> But I > >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. > >> > >> > >> "husky86" wrote: > >> > >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have > >> > encountered > >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm > >> > hoping > >> > there is a workaround. > >> > > >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This > >> > desktop > >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it > >> > I > >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting > >> > Vista into > >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable > >> > Vista > >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. > >> > > >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working > >> > anymore -- > >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be > >> > recognized. > >> > It's been missing ever since. > >> > > >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager > >> > (Including having the latest driver). > >> > > >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where > >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this > >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of > >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive > >> > now, > >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. > >> > > >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside > >> > of > >> > reinstalling Vista? > >> > > >> > Thanks! >
My System Specs

03-20-2008	#12 (permalink)
andy n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate chkdsk x: Don't specify any flags. On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. > >Thanks! > > >"andy" wrote: > Quote: >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: >> Quote: >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. >> > >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . >> > >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the >> >present situation: >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is >> the file system isn't being recognized. Quote: >> > >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg >> > >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it. >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it >> sees? >> Quote: >> > >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. >> Quote: >> > >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all >> >possible. >> > >> >Thanks! >> > >> > >> >"Hueyd" wrote: >> > >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use for >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone. >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. >> >> >> >> >> >> "husky86" wrote: >> >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping >> >> > there is a workaround. >> >> > >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. >> >> > >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore -- >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized. >> >> > It's been missing ever since. >> >> > >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). >> >> > >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now, >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. >> >> > >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of >> >> > reinstalling Vista? >> >> > >> >> > Thanks! >> >>
My System Specs

03-20-2008	#13 (permalink)
husky86 n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate Andy, Here's the results: Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\>chkdsk x: The type of the file system is RAW. CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. C:\> Any further suggestions? Thanks! "andy" wrote: Quote: > chkdsk x: > Don't specify any flags. > > On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 > <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > Quote: > >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check > >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. > > > >Thanks! > > > > > >"andy" wrote: > > Quote: > >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 > >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > >> > >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service > >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I > >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most > >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. > >> > > >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive > >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk > >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . > >> > > >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the > >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the > >> >present situation: > >> > >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is > >> the file system isn't being recognized. > >> > > >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg > >> > > >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted > >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without > >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) > >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm > >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it. > >> > >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it > >> sees? > >> > >> > > >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? > >> > >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. > >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. > >> > >> > > >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is > >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all > >> >possible. > >> > > >> >Thanks! > >> > > >> > > >> >"Hueyd" wrote: > >> > > >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use for > >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone. > >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I > >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I > >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> "husky86" wrote: > >> >> > >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered > >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping > >> >> > there is a workaround. > >> >> > > >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop > >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I > >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into > >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista > >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. > >> >> > > >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore -- > >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized. > >> >> > It's been missing ever since. > >> >> > > >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager > >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). > >> >> > > >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where > >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this > >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of > >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now, > >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. > >> >> > > >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of > >> >> > reinstalling Vista? > >> >> > > >> >> > Thanks! > >> > >> > >
My System Specs

03-20-2008	#14 (permalink)
Roy Ballew n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate If this is a new HD or hasn't been set up yet.. do the following.. Go to Control Panel ..<-- Administration Tools.. <--Computer Mgmt..-- > Disk Mgmt. Set your HD up.. RJB "husky86" <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:FB249E65-1C14-4493-942E-13E16F30D0EB@xxxxxx Quote: > Andy, > > Here's the results: > > Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] > Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. > > C:\>chkdsk x: > The type of the file system is RAW. > CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. > > > C:\> > > Any further suggestions? > > Thanks! > > > > "andy" wrote: > Quote: >> chkdsk x: >> Don't specify any flags. >> >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: >> Quote: >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to >> >check >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. >> > >> >Thanks! >> > >> > >> >"andy" wrote: >> > >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: >> >> >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of >> >> >Service >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other >> >> >words, I >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. >> >> > >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB >> >> >Hitachi drive >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C >> >> >drive (Disk >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . >> >> > >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to >> >> >be the >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a >> >> >snapshot of the >> >> >present situation: >> >> >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is >> >> the file system isn't being recognized. >> >> > >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg >> >> > >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I >> >> >attempted >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter >> >> >(X).) >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can >> >> >use it. >> >> >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it >> >> sees? >> >> >> >> > >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? >> >> >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. >> >> >> >> > >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at >> >> >all >> >> >possible. >> >> > >> >> >Thanks! >> >> > >> >> > >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I >> >> >> use for >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it >> >> >> is gone. >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The >> >> >> only way I >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am >> >> >> ok. But I >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it >> >> >> wakes up. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "husky86" wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have >> >> >> > encountered >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; >> >> >> > I'm hoping >> >> >> > there is a workaround. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). >> >> >> > This desktop >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first >> >> >> > acquired it I >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after >> >> >> > putting Vista into >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always >> >> >> > enable Vista >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working >> >> >> > anymore -- >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be >> >> >> > recognized. >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device >> >> >> > Manager >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web >> >> >> > where >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. >> >> >> > Supposedly this >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the >> >> >> > release of >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard >> >> >> > drive now, >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... >> >> >> > outside of >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista? >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Thanks! >> >> >> >> >> >>
My System Specs

03-21-2008	#15 (permalink)
Andy n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86 <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: >Andy, > >Here's the results: > >Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] >Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. > >C:\>chkdsk x: >The type of the file system is RAW. >CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. > > >C:\> > >Any further suggestions? Try a file recovery program. Quote: > >Thanks! > > > >"andy" wrote: > Quote: >> chkdsk x: >> Don't specify any flags. >> >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: >> Quote: >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. >> > >> >Thanks! >> > >> > >> >"andy" wrote: >> > >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: >> >> >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. >> >> > >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . >> >> > >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the >> >> >present situation: >> >> >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is >> >> the file system isn't being recognized. >> >> > >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg >> >> > >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it. >> >> >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it >> >> sees? >> >> >> >> > >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? >> >> >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. >> >> >> >> > >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all >> >> >possible. >> >> > >> >> >Thanks! >> >> > >> >> > >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use for >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone. >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "husky86" wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping >> >> >> > there is a workaround. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore -- >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized. >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now, >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista? >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Thanks! >> >> >> >> >> >>
My System Specs

03-21-2008	#16 (permalink)
husky86 n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate Any recovery programs you'd recommend in this situation? Kevin "Andy" wrote: Quote: > On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86 > <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > Quote: > >Andy, > > > >Here's the results: > > > >Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] > >Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. > > > >C:\>chkdsk x: > >The type of the file system is RAW. > >CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. > > > > > >C:\> > > > >Any further suggestions? > > Try a file recovery program. > Quote: > > > >Thanks! > > > > > > > >"andy" wrote: > > Quote: > >> chkdsk x: > >> Don't specify any flags. > >> > >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 > >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > >> > >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check > >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. > >> > > >> >Thanks! > >> > > >> > > >> >"andy" wrote: > >> > > >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 > >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > >> >> > >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service > >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I > >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most > >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. > >> >> > > >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive > >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk > >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . > >> >> > > >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the > >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the > >> >> >present situation: > >> >> > >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is > >> >> the file system isn't being recognized. > >> >> > > >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg > >> >> > > >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted > >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without > >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) > >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm > >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it. > >> >> > >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it > >> >> sees? > >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? > >> >> > >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. > >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. > >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is > >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all > >> >> >possible. > >> >> > > >> >> >Thanks! > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote: > >> >> > > >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use for > >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone. > >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I > >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I > >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> "husky86" wrote: > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered > >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping > >> >> >> > there is a workaround. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop > >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I > >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into > >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista > >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore -- > >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized. > >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager > >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where > >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this > >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of > >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now, > >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of > >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista? > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Thanks! > >> >> > >> >> > >> > >> >
My System Specs

03-25-2008	#17 (permalink)
husky86 n/a posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista Ultimate The following is a report on the final situation associated with this missing hard drive. If anyone has any information on what this technician (below) referred to as a "involuntary drive swap" I would be thrilled to hear about it. Thus far I cannot find anything within the Microsoft knowledge base about it: I tried a complete reinitialization of the C: drive to see if Vista would then recognize the internal 1 TB drive. This was recommended by the computer's manufacturer. As expected, reinstalling Vista (clean installation) did nothing as far as enabling it to be able to recognize the missing hard drive. So I contacted a data recovery service today and we agreed to begin the attempted process of data recovery. Even though I was a little hesitant about the potentialities and/or ramifications, a large number of data recovery efforts are performed remotely by this service, as long as the operating system can recognize the drive through the bios. After about 30 minutes of turning over my computer to this expert (remotely), I was shocked to find out from this same technician that Vista had performed a type of â€œinvoluntary drive swapâ€ when the Lacie drive (external) crashed, was disconnected, and after we resumed the computer out of a sleep mode. Although the technician could not fully explain how it happens (but said that they have definitely seen it before on a number of occasions when a hard drive crashed), Vista automatically renamed and re-lettered the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive exactly with the specs of the external crashed and disconnected Lacie hard drive. Â· Prior to disconnecting the external Lacie drive, it was showing up on the desktop as "Lacie 1 TB Big Disk (Dâ€. After disconnecting, this drive icon remained in place whenever bringing up My Computer or within any application. I thought that this was extraordinarily strange and reported it to Voodoo, but they said that they didn't have an explanation at the time. They referred everything back to the fact that "once Service Pack 1 is released, all of these problems will be resolved..." So I really didn't think too much about just leaving this icon in place. Â· At the exact same time that we disconnected the Lacie drive -- or at least in association with the very next wake up -- the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive (drive lable X disappeared altogether. Â· Once it performed the swap, it somehow erased all of the files thereon. How it did this is not clear. The technician also didn't know either. According to this technician, Vista somehow automatically reassigns one drive for another in this form of involuntary drive swap. It doesn't happen that often, but they have seen their fair share. I asked whether or not this was just for Vista or had they seen it on XP and other Windows OS. The technician replied that it doesn't matter which version of Windows, "It's just Windows!" The group of people that I was working with today didn't sound like they were big fans of the Windows OS. This technician was able to explain the fact that in reality what I thought was the external backup was actually the internal 1 TB drive all along. The ultimate bottom line is that the files are gone. Nonrecoverable -- period. Since we have been using the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive all along, there is no recoverable data. The technician searched for any recoverable photo files, but they were nowhere to be found. All this time I've thought that I was using the external Lacie drive I was actually using the internal 1 TB Hitachi drive -- the one showing up as â€œLacie 1 TB Big Disk (Dâ€. The external Lacie drive has been totally dormant the entire time. It has not been functioning under any capacities since we received it from Lacie. One of the primary reasons that I simply didn't know that it wasn't functioning was because it is located on the opposite side of the desktop system where I technically can't see the front (to see if the transfer lights are working from time to time). This whole situation sounds almost too strange to be true. But there it is. "husky86" wrote: Quote: > Any recovery programs you'd recommend in this situation? > > Kevin > > > "Andy" wrote: > Quote: > > On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:51:08 -0700, husky86 > > <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > > Quote: > > >Andy, > > > > > >Here's the results: > > > > > >Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001] > > >Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. > > > > > >C:\>chkdsk x: > > >The type of the file system is RAW. > > >CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives. > > > > > > > > >C:\> > > > > > >Any further suggestions? > > > > Try a file recovery program. > > Quote: > > > > > >Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > > >"andy" wrote: > > > > > >> chkdsk x: > > >> Don't specify any flags. > > >> > > >> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:24:05 -0700, husky86 > > >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > > >> > > >> >How is it possible to run chkdsk in read-only mode? I only know how to check > > >> >the disk under "normal" circumstances, I guess you could say. > > >> > > > >> >Thanks! > > >> > > > >> > > > >> >"andy" wrote: > > >> > > > >> >> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:48:01 -0700, husky86 > > >> >> <husky86@xxxxxx> wrote: > > >> >> > > >> >> >During the past 2-3 months I have been waiting for the release of Service > > >> >> >Pack 1 in order that this ongoing problem may be solved. In other words, I > > >> >> >was told by my computer's manufacturer that Service Pack 1 would most > > >> >> >definitely solve this ongoing "missing hard drive" problem. > > >> >> > > > >> >> >I was able to install Service Pack 1 today. The internal 1 TB Hitachi drive > > >> >> >still did not appear. Bringing up My Computer showed only the C drive (Disk > > >> >> >1) and the external 1 TB Lacie drive (Disk 0) . > > >> >> > > > >> >> >Going back into Disk Management I found Disk 2 -- which I believe to be the > > >> >> >internal 1 TB drive -- to be unallocated. The following is a snapshot of the > > >> >> >present situation: > > >> >> > > >> >> The drive space is allocated as a primary partition. The problem is > > >> >> the file system isn't being recognized. > > >> >> > > > >> >> >http://bp2.blogger.com/_-RQq-aijzY0/...Management.jpg > > >> >> > > > >> >> >Because I know formal allocation of a drive requires formatting, I attempted > > >> >> >to allocate the drive and get it to be recognized by Vista without > > >> >> >reformatting the drive. (I assigned it its previous drive letter (X).) > > >> >> >However, this allocation attempt did not prove successful in that I'm > > >> >> >constantly told by the OS that I must format the drive before I can use it. > > >> >> > > >> >> Did you try running chkdsk in read-only mode to see what problems it > > >> >> sees? > > >> >> > > >> >> > > > >> >> >Does anyone have any suggestions on this present situation? > > >> >> > > >> >> I would try running TestDisk to see what problems, if any, it sees. > > >> >> Your best bet is using a file recovery program. > > >> >> > > >> >> > > > >> >> >Again, this internal 1 Terabyte Drive has a lot of data on it that is > > >> >> >extremely valuable. I do not want to have to erase the drive if at all > > >> >> >possible. > > >> >> > > > >> >> >Thanks! > > >> >> > > > >> >> > > > >> >> >"Hueyd" wrote: > > >> >> > > > >> >> >> I am having the same problem. I have a second SATA HDD (D that I use for > > >> >> >> storage and backup. When the computer wakes up from Sleep mode it is gone. > > >> >> >> I go to system tools, and it is gone, device manager gone. The only way I > > >> >> >> get it back is to re-boot. The bios finds it just fine, then I am ok. But I > > >> >> >> can't put my computer to sleep or it will not be there when it wakes up. > > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> "husky86" wrote: > > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > I'm running a desktop system with Windows Vista Ultimate. I have encountered > > >> >> >> > a problem that I know is being experienced by other Vista users; I'm hoping > > >> >> >> > there is a workaround. > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > I have an internal 1 TB Hitachi hard drive (not the C drive). This desktop > > >> >> >> > system is only about six months old, and ever since I first acquired it I > > >> >> >> > found that this internal hard drive would go missing after putting Vista into > > >> >> >> > Sleep or Hibernation mode. Restarting the system would always enable Vista > > >> >> >> > to recognize the internal 1 TB hard drive again. > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > However, about two weeks ago this temporary fix wasn't working anymore -- > > >> >> >> > restarting Vista didn't enable the 1 TB internal drive to be recognized. > > >> >> >> > It's been missing ever since. > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > And yet this drive is working properly according to Device Manager > > >> >> >> > (Including having the latest driver). > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > Doing a Google search has produced a few other threads on the web where > > >> >> >> > Vista users are also experiencing missing hard drives. Supposedly this > > >> >> >> > situation is to be directly addressed by Microsoft with the release of > > >> >> >> > Service Pack 1. Unfortunately, I need access to my internal hard drive now, > > >> >> >> > not weeks from now when Service Pack 1 is finally released. > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > Does anyone know of a workaround? Any solution whatsoever... outside of > > >> >> >> > reinstalling Vista? > > >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> > Thanks! > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> > > >> > >
My System Specs

01-14-2009	#18 (permalink)
pcarew Vista 32 Home Premium 3 posts	Re: Missing Hard Drive with Windows Vista January 2009 I have the same issue on a HP DV9810us Laptop running Vista SP1. On this laptop, if I put a Western Digital 120G hard drive in the second bay, it dissapears when resuming from sleep. I discovered that if I put a Toshiba 120G drive in the second bay instead, this problem doesn't appear!! With the WD drive, I tried setting the sleep time to "Never", but this didn't make any difference. On further investigation (both drives are known to be good), it turns out that the WD drive use the default Microsoft SATA device handler, where as the Toshiba drive uses it's own device driver. This definitely points to a MS SATA device driver issue. MS SATA Driver details: Driver Provider: Microsoft Driver Version: 6.0.6001.18000 Driver Date: 6/21/2006 I tried running "Driver Update", but Microsoft reported that this was the most up to date driver at this time (January 14th 2009) Western Digital doesn't provide any updated drivers (or any drivers for that matter) from their web site.
My System Specs

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