SATAs Not Detecting HDDs

Ryanbowden720 · Aug 26, 2015

Today I ordered and installed a new WD Blue 1 TB HDD and I already had the same one previously installed with my OS. After attempting to install the 2nd HDD my first HDD would not work, nor would the 2nd one. After messing around in the BIOS I've narrowed it down the my SATA slots not detecting my HDDs. So my PC was working fine, then I must have messed something up installing my HDD. I've switched around the SATA slots and none of them work. I've even switched around cords and made sure the motherboard was getting all of the power it needed. Any suggestions?

Someone Somewhere · Aug 26, 2015

Both HDDs have both the power and data cables connected? If the PSU is modular, is the other end of that cable correctly plugged into the PSU?

SuperSoph_WD · Aug 26, 2015

Welcome to the community, Ryan!

I'm sorry to hear about your issues with the WD Blue drives.

I'd suggest you to try resetting BIOS and see if that will get the HDDs properly connected afterwards. You can do this by re-seating the CMOS battery or resetting the jumper on the motherboard (http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-Your-BIOS ).
However, keep in mind that it would get your BIOS settings back factory defaults, so you'd need to re-configure them. You could also check your mobo manufacturer's website for any updates on the chipset/SATA drivers for your model.
Anyway, in order to determine the source of the issue, you can also try plugging your WD Blue drives in another computer and see how they will get recognized there.

Keep us posted!
SuperSoph_WD

Ryanbowden720 · Aug 26, 2015

Should my HDD be powered by my PSU? Previously when I only had one HDD plugged in, all I had plugged in was my SATA cable to my motherboard.

Someone Somewhere · Aug 26, 2015

Your HDD absolutely needs to be powered by your PSU. The SATA data cable (the narrower flat one) carries no power, and your HDD won't be able to run without it.

My guess is you unplugged it, then walked away to do something else and thought it must have been like that already.

mjslakeridge · Aug 26, 2015

Ryanbowden720 :

I know of no internal sata hdd's that do not require power from the PSU. (There are some external usb HDDs that do not require a separate power connection). The power connection on the WD Blue is just to the left of the sata connection.

Someone Somewhere · Aug 26, 2015

There are some external usb HDDs that do not require a separate power connection

USB includes power lines in the cable.

SATA data does not. Unless the HDD has a large battery or something similarly exotic, it's going to need a power cable.

mjslakeridge · Aug 26, 2015

Someone Somewhere :

Yes I am aware that the USB cable supplies power to the external HDD. What I meant was that there was not a discreet power connection to the device. Although I do have an old Maxtor USB/Firewire combo HDD that has a transformer and power connection, in addition to the USB and Firewire connections.

Someone Somewhere · Aug 26, 2015

Yup, all 3.5" USB drives have an external power source, because USB can't supply enough.

I was trying to say that SATA data only has signal wires and ground, whereas USB also has power in there.

Ryanbowden720 · Aug 26, 2015

Someone Somewhere :

Well thanks! I'm fairly new to building my own PC, and this was my first HDD upgrade. My wire management is poor and it is very likely that I removed the power from my original HDD trying to plug in my second one.

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