Disk drives have disappeared!

[davidib]

At home I have a Packard Bell desktop PC and it has two drives for removable media - one for a CF Microdrive and one for a SD Memory card. These used to be drives H: and I: in Windows XP.

However, I noticed yesterday that drives H: and I: are no longer showing in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I've looked in Control Panel/Administrative tools/Computer Management/Disk Management and they're not in there either.

Anyone have any ideas how I get these 2 drives back into Windows?

David

 

[mainegeek]

davidib,
Are both devices plugged in? If so, try removing them by using the "safe to remove hardware" icon on the tool bar.

 

[bcastner]

Do they show in Device Manager?

 

[davidib]

The devices are still connected ( at least I assume so as I've not touched them). They do not show in Device Manager or the "Safe to remove hardware" icon. I haven't looked at the BIOS yet, but there is no reason why that should have changed either.

 

[bcastner]

I need your OS version and Service Pack level.
Also, is the connection through IDE or USB?

 

[davidib]

It's Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 1

The devices are not USB, so far as I know - they're permanently fixed into the computer case. They certainly aren't plugged into any of the USB ports

 

[bcastner]

They are likely IDE then. If they disappear from My Computer, Disk Manager, and Device Manager, it is not a logical OS issue. It is a hardware misconfiguration or failure.

Have you added anything else to the IDE chain: CD Rom drive, DVD, a second hard disk, etc.?

If not, open the case and check all cables. Remove all adapter cards, clean the contacts with a clean pencil eraser, reseat and refasten. It could just be heat related drifting of the connector cables and/or any adapter card (if used) by the devices.

 

[davidib]

Thanks for the advice. I've added nothing to this computer since I bought it. All the 'add-ons' have been USB devices like a scanner, ADSL modem etc.

I'll check the cables etc at the weekend.

David