Lost Hard Drive.

[alscot]

Hello folks, apologies if this has been asked before. A few months ago we added another Hard Drive to pc , F Drive ( is it named slave ?) to store photos in case pc crashed. For some unknown reason it vanished My Computer settings, all photos disappeared. Don't have any system back up and System Restore doesn't bring it back. Any ideas, other than taking it to computer shop ? Thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

Is this a desktop PC?

Did you add a second hard drive INSIDE the case (as you say a slave) or was is external to the case and plugged into the USB port.

If the disk is inside the PC case then losing it like this is quite unusual I think.

You could try to get it back by going into your BIOS.

As your computer starts up you get message on the screen saying "press XXX key to enter BIOS"

The xxx key could be anything (F2 or whatever), and you have to be quick before the message goes.

If you manage to get into the BIOS you will get a Window like this:

http://www.computerhope.com/help/bios4.gif

Not exactly like this as each BIOS can be different.

Hopefully yours will say there is a Master and a Slave.

If it does, exit from the BIOS and make sure you SAVE THE CHANGES.

Now restart the computer and hopefully it may have come back.

[vehelpfulguy]

Word of advice.

You say you added this second drive as a backup in case PC crashed.

But as you have found out, a hard drive is NOT a good backup device.

A hard disk can crash, or a complete PC can be stolen, and then you have lost everything.

The best and easiest backup for photos etc is a CD or DVD. I always put my photos on TWO CDs or DVDs, that way I will always have them even if my PC crashes or my PC is stolen.

[ACtheTROLL]

It's actually very common - and since SATA started being used - it's getting commoner (or should that be Proletariat?)

you say YOU fitted the disk - so you know how to get in

there are two cables connecting the disk and the PC and one has two ends.
so there are three points of failure (sata) or four if IDE
not that it matters in this case - but is it sata or pata (IDE)
sata cables (esp the early ones) seem to pop out at the drop of a hat.

IDE looks more reliable - but they do come loose

so open the box - disconnect and reconnect all of the cable connections (don't just push 'em in)

sata uses single connections - so it's reasonably straight forward
an IDE cable is (older version) 40 way ribbon
eIDE(newer) 80 way - in both cases the slave is connected to the middle - but do all 4

the power feeds are obvious

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-h ard-drive.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

oh and stop using system restore - it never does work

if that doesn't do it - it's going to be a BIOS adventure - more on that if we need it - later

[alscot]

Thanks very much to all for replies, all points noted. It is a desk top and fitted internally.
Not technically gifted regarding computers, been through BIOS etc before but rather out depth :( And yes of course pics should have been on disk!! for some reason they were not! Local computer shop said it could any one of a few things should be able to remedy problem at a small cost....best left to them.

Keep up the good work AB ers.