What should I do if my computer can not see the internal hard drive

If the computer does not boot, complaining about the lack of a hard drive, or the system does not display an additional drive, these tips will be useful.

Perform the following steps in order. If you do not help the first move to the second and so on.

What if the Windows-PC does not see the hard drive

Disk does not appear in the BIOS

1. If you have just connected the hard drive, check that you have correctly done. Find the official instructions for your motherboard and hard disk, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. If you are trying to install Windows XP or an earlier version and the system reports no hard disk, make sure that in the BIOS enabled compatible with the OS hard drive mode - IDE. To do this, locate the BIOS SATA operation setting (SATA Mode, SATA Configuration or a similar name). The value set IDE, save the changes and restart the computer.

3. If possible, check the hard disk performance by connecting it to a PC. Earn - look for faults in the motherboard or other components of your computer. If not, the hard drive can be attributed to the service center.

Disk does not appear in Windows

1. Make sure the hard drive is included in the BIOS settings. To do this, restart your computer and as soon as the car starts to turn on, press F2 or DEL (the correct key is usually displayed on the screen), until you get into the BIOS.

Then find the Disk Management section (Storage Configuration, Drive or a similar name), and make sure the correct hard drive is activated. On the contrary it must be Active inscription, On, or something similar. Save your changes and reboot the PC.

2. Check whether Windows properly prepare the drive for operation. First, open a Command Prompt window (key Windows + R), then enter it in diskmgmt.msc and press Enter. Carefully read all the warnings not to accidentally format the drive or not to change the data stored on it.

If the menu "Disk Management", you will see disc without label, this may be a cause of conflict. Then click on the drive, right click and assign to it the letter with the help of the appropriate option from the context menu. Then restart your computer.

If you see a new drive with the caption "Not initialized" in the same menu, click on the right mouse button, select "Initialize Disk" and follow the prompts Windows. After initialization, click again on the drive to display the shortcut menu, select "New Simple Volume" and act according to the instructions of the system. Upon completion, restart the PC.

3. Download the latest drivers for the hard disk from the manufacturer and install them.

4. Check your computer for malware by using antivirus.

5. Try reinstall WindowsAfter you store all important data.

If none of the above does not help, contact the service center.

What if the Mac does not see the hard drive

Mac will not boot

If you have a modern a Mac, there is likely to be a single disc. And it is clear that in case of problems with the computer it just will not load. In this case it is necessary to make a diagnosis using the Apple Hardware Test, using the network mode.

Connect your Mac to a power source and disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and Ethernet cables. Turn off your Mac, hold down the power button for a few seconds.

Turn on the Mac, hold down the Option + D. Keys After you run Apple Hardware Test run diagnostics components, follow the wizard prompts.

If during the test will identify the disk errors, it is necessary to contact the service. Perform the repair yourself will only be possible on older models c HDD by replacing the disk.

Disk does not appear in the Finder

1. If your Mac several disks and the problem did not arise with the boot, and with the auxiliary, the computer boots up, but the drive will not be available. In this case, you need to check whether it appears in the "Disk Utility".

To do this, open the app from the folder "Programs» → «Utility" or via Spotlight and check whether a disc is visible. If yes, then you can try to format it (keep in mind that this will delete all data).

2. If the drive is in the "Disk Utility" is not available, you should check whether it is displayed in the "System Information".

Open the utility via Apple's → "System Information" and then click "Report on the system." Go to the tab "drive" or a SATA / SATA interfaces Express. Check whether the correct drive is available there.

If the disc is not visible, you can make a diagnosis using the Apple Hardware Test as described above, and when errors are detected with the disc to contact the service for repairs.

See also:

• My computer does not see the USB flash drive or external hard drive and what to do →
• What if the very noisy computer →
• My computer does not see the phone or tablet, and what to do →