Desktop

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Invisible Hard Drives

0 helpful
2 replies

by shanghai sam

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Hi,

I've just installed quantum hard drives by maxtor into 4 PCs with SiS mobo's.

Each of them recognises the drive in the bios and as a result in the initial stage of booting up the PC

In windows the drive is listed in the system applet ofthe control panel but dos and windows don't assisgn it a drive letter.

Anybody know of any quick fixes?

2 replies

by thechas

Have the drives been partitioned?
If there is not a valid partition, Windows will not assign a drive letter, and the drive will not be accessible from DOS either.

I prefere to run fdisk from a boot floppy.

Another possible issue is the data interface if the MB is limited to UDMA33, and the drive is ATA133, you may need to use utilities from Maxtor to set the drive to run at the lower data rate.

Chas

by bulky

Take an install of Windows, any working install, from another machine and ghost that drive to your new Quantums. Then plug them into the SiS motherbds. Windows will recognize all the new hardware, and will require several reboots, but should retain a drive letter. (P.S. I actually think there is some misunderstanding, even though I'm answering- it seems impossible that if you hit F8 and get a menu on boot, and that if you choose safe mode command prompt, you don't get a drive letter). But my "fix" will work, given your scenario.

This discussion is closed to new replies.