Primary Slave Hard Drive Disappeared

This week, I reformatted my desktop to start fresh after several years of use. So far, the re-installation has been a success. I've put only a few barebone, essential software programs (e.g. all the Windows XP updates, Microsoft Office, Firefox, etc.) on the primary master hard drive (C) and have installed nothing to the primary slave hard drive (D).

Last night, the D: disappeared from Windows Explorer and the Disk Management service. However, BIOS still detects that there is a hard drive on the primary slave and there is a second hard drive listed in Windows Device Manager (which states that it is functioning properly).

Both of the hard drives are 80 GB Western Digitals (WD800JB) and are IDE. They are set with the jumpers on on Cable Switch (with the primary end being plugged into the C and the secondary being plugged into the D). I originally had the jumpers on Master/Slave after some self-troubleshooting and still had the same problem.

I have two Optical Drives setup, a DVD-RW and a normal DVD ROM. Both of these drives are detected and show up in Windows.

If I boot into Windows Recovery via the OS CD, I cannot detect the D:. I only have access to the C: and two Optical Drives.

I'm not sure what might have led to this as the D: was visible the entire time I was using the system, I did not install any new software and it disappeared when I turned it on this morning.

I do not have any spare hard drives to test nor do I have any backup system I can plug the slave hard drive into to test it.

I'd just like to get the drive back to where I can recognize it - even if I have to format it. The D: has a few program backup files, but if I lose them - I'm not going to be upset.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Any help would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks Arie. I downloaded the Western Digital Diagnostics tool and ran the program. It detects both physical drives (C and D), but displays only one logical drive (C). I tried to run both the quick test and the extended test on the drive, but received an error message. Here's what the test results say:

Test Option: QUICK TEST
Model Number: WDC WD800JB-00CRA1
Unit Serial Number: WD-WCA8E5506935
Firmware Number: 17.07W17
Capacity: 80.03 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: FAIL
Test Error Code: 11-Cable Test::Read diagnostics sector error!
Test Time: 07:51:26, October 08, 2007

Test Option: EXTENDED TEST
Model Number: WDC WD800JB-00CRA1
Unit Serial Number: WD-WCA8E5506935
Firmware Number: 17.07W17
Capacity: 80.03 GB
SMART Status: PASS
Test Result: FAIL
Test Error Code: 11-Cable Test::Read diagnostics sector error!
Test Time: 07:51:31, October 08, 2007

I've tried switching the cable I use with the two optical drives, and it's still the same problem.

Any ideas?

 

Just to check, is the cable 80 lead, not 40 lead?

I would boot to the Windows CD and delete/remove the C: drive, then remake it. If the D: drive did not work correctly after that (run the Quick Test) I would use the WD drive setup utilities to remake both partitions (and even consider using the low-level (zero) format utility).

The SMART reading is fine, so the drive seems physically OK, the problem should be in the partitioning information.

Matt
PS After remaking the C: partition and when you going to install Windows, disconnect the second HDD (I now see there are two HDDs). Reconnect the second HDD after Windows is installed and running.

If you are making the partitions on the drives, I suggest only connecting one at a time. That is, not to make the second HDD an "extended partition" of the first HDD.

There will be partitioning information at the WD website.

 

Matt,

Yes - the cabling is 80 lead and not 40 lead.

I just want to make sure I understand your solution. You want me to delete the physical and logical C:, format it and reinstall Windows - and then install the second hard drive?

 

On the occasions I have installed Windows XP with a second HDD connected, I have come across problems.

Yes, disconnect the second HDD, delete the C: drive/partition, then install Windows. Reconnect the second HDD after Windows is up and running.

If you want to try a few "maybes" first, for the learning experience, you could try booting to the Windows CD, going to Recovery Console (the first option you get) and running FIXMBR. Look at the tools available from WD (without checking at WD, it may be the drive setup tools, not the diagnostic tools), look for a utility to back up the MBR.

If the problem is in the partitioning information on the main (OS) HDD, you may not have any worries since you have only freshly formatted and reinstalled. If there is data on the second HDD that you need, I would do my best to back it up first, BUT, I would not trust that the second HDD might not "disappear" again in the future. A low-level (zero) format will allow you to start from scratch. You can do it on both HDDs using the WD tools.

If you do not need to save any data, I would zero format both HDDs and rebuild the partitions, but only with one connected at a time. Install Windows on one, then connect the other. Test, test, test, you say a master/slave arrangement was not working correctly, normally master/slave works better, so I would be wary (the optical drives may be a factor).

Matt

 

The solution was simpler than thought. Yeah!

I formatted the C: as Matt suggested and reinstalled Windows. I then attached the second drive, but it still wasn't recognized in Windows.

I downloaded Western Digital's Data Lifeguard tools. The software instantly recognized that the drive was there, but wasn't setup for use. In a matter of seconds, it reformatted the D: and redid the partition. The D: is being formatted as we speak.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Well done and thanks for letting us know the outcome.

 

Looks like I spoke too soon.

The D: went through the entire low-level formatting process and at 99% came back and said it could not complete the formatting. And when I run Western Digital's setup tools, it says that it formats the drive, but obviously not.

I'm able to see the D: now in Windows, but it remains unformatted. I cannot run chkdsk on the volume or any other diagnostic (even from Western Digital). When I go into the command prompt and try to call up the D:, it comes up with "The drive cannot find the sector requested ".

Right now, I'm frustrated with the process and think it may simply be time to invest in a new hard drive. I was hoping my motherboard (KT4 Ultra) would support SATA, but sadly it does not.

So I'm faced with the dilemma now of spending $140 on a 500 GB Western Digital hard drive from Best Buy which will be in warranty or $72 on a 320 GB Western Digital hard drive from Western Digital (out of their customer loyalty program) which will not be in warranty. They also have a 160 GB ($49) and a 120 GB ($50) - but the price differential seems too good to pass up along with the fact that the 160 GB is oddly cheaper than the 120 GB for some reason.

Any thoughts?