HDD not working (Want to format it but windows don't detect it)

Qwarty

Reputable
Feb 8, 2016
13
0
4,510
Hi,

I built a new computer recently with a SSD where my windows is installed on it. It work perfectly fine. And then I wanted to add more space so I take a HDD from my broken laptop. I know that my HDD was working because I used an external adapter with it after my laptop broke and used as a kind of a big usb key. But then, someday, I think I accidentally disconnect it while there was some data transferring. After this time, I got a lot of problems with it. Windows had difficulty detecting it. But I was thinking that it was only the adapter that was broken, like if the driver was damaged. I tried to format my HDD a lot of time but it didn't seen to work, I format it a lot of time but I was never sure if it was working and after some times Windows just didn't detect it. So I decided to not use the adapter and wait to put it on my new PC.

After I built my new PC, when I installed the HDD, my computer started and then a infinite load of windows started. Sometimes my screen is just all black and nothing else is happening, sometimes the loading bar of Windows is loading infinitely, and sometimes if I wait it say Preparing Automatic Repair, but then nothing happen.

If I close my computer, then remove my HDD, and then open my computer, My windows install on my SSD work perfectly fine. It only when I plug my HDD (With Sata and all the thing) that it bug. (But it seems to work, like I feel it vibrate).

I know that this HDD have windows 7 64 bit installed on with so it's very possible that there is a possibility that there is some conflicts between my Windows 10 Pro 64 bit install on my computer and with this windows. I think it was doing the same thing when I connect the external portable HDD where I put my HDD in it before I open my computer. Also, it may be just corrupt or I don't know, but I don't really care of losing all the files on it.

So somebody have an idea or something of what I could do? I know that I can access the bios, with the HDD install on my computer, and it is mark as TOSHIBA MK7559GSXP, but I think it's impossible to format it in the bios, so is there another possibly?

Thanks!

Windows 10 pro 64 bit
Where my Windows 10 is intalled : (SSD) - OCZ-TRION100 (240Gb)
Where my Windows 7 is installed (The HDD of my old laptop) : (HDD) - TOSHIBA MK7559GSXP (750Gb)
 
Solution
Welcome to the community, Qwarty!

It's possible that the HDD is corrupted and it could also create an OS confusion in your new PC rig, especially if the hard drive is listed in the booting order in BIOS. I'd recommend you to troubleshoot any potential issues with the old HDD externally via a SATA-to-USB cable or a docking station/enclosure. This way it won't prevent your system from loading properly like it does when you connect it internally. Afterwards, you should download the HDD's brand-specific diagnostic tool from its manufacturer's website and determine the health and SMART status.
If you are not able to have the drive connected externally via USB, then you should try using a DOS version of an HDD diagnostic tool that would...
Welcome to the community, Qwarty!

It's possible that the HDD is corrupted and it could also create an OS confusion in your new PC rig, especially if the hard drive is listed in the booting order in BIOS. I'd recommend you to troubleshoot any potential issues with the old HDD externally via a SATA-to-USB cable or a docking station/enclosure. This way it won't prevent your system from loading properly like it does when you connect it internally. Afterwards, you should download the HDD's brand-specific diagnostic tool from its manufacturer's website and determine the health and SMART status.
If you are not able to have the drive connected externally via USB, then you should try using a DOS version of an HDD diagnostic tool that would allow you to perform the same tests without booting into Windows. Most of these utilities also have the option to WRITE ZEROS (low-level formatting) that would erase the HDD entirely.
Either way, I'd not trust the drive with any important data without determining that it's 100 % healthy.

Hope this helps you. Keep me posted.
SuperSoph_WD
 
Solution