installing a HDD

Hello!

So, my laptop came with two HDD slots (and one HDD). I decided to install a new HDD into the second slot. I got a HDD, opened up the laptop to put it in, only to discover... that there's already a second HDD there. :::MYSTERY MUSIC::: Now, I'm not crazy - I have a photo of the insides of my laptop on the day it came in, and the 2nd slot was clearly empty. The only plausible explanation for the 2nd HDD is that, when my laptop was getting its mobo replaced in the aftermath of a bad coffee spill, the repair shop accidentally put in somebody else's 2nd HDD. Sucks for them, good for me.

So where's the problem, right? Well, it doesn't show up in Windows Explorer, which is why I didn't realize until now that I even had it. Device Manager doesn't show a problem with it. I tried doing the Windows troubleshooter, but the only suggestion it had was uninstalling the driver and restarting to have Windows automatically reinstall it. I did that, but that didn't do anything - it's still not in Windows Explorer.

I tried removing my primary drive and starting my laptop with just this mystery drive. It went to this screen that was trying to configure Windows, but after it didn't do anything for a few minutes, I just turned it off. The resolution was really low, like when you are installing Windows after a format. I guess it was just surprised to find itself in a new environment?

So um.. what can I do to make this show up in Windows Explorer and all? It's a Hitachi Travelstar ATA/IDE drive @ 5400 rpm. 60 gig, too! The one I got to put in was 80, but if I can get 60 for free, I'll be happy to return the one that I got

Malia

 

Reformat it using Disk Management, by going to Start>Run, typing in DISKMGMT.MSC and pressing enter.

On the window that opens, you should be able to see all the HDs currently connected to your computer. Select the correct volume, right click, and choose Format.

 

Edit: Whoops. Didn't see the OP's laptop type.

 

If disk management does not pick it up, than I advise getting a laptop harddrive to USB adaptor, so you can physically format the drive with another system.
Than you should be able to allocate the harddrive as free space.

K-TRON

 

Yippie~! It took it forever to format, but it's done, and now, I got a brand new drive - for free! It was formatted for a Mac, so maybe that's why it was hiding. Thanks for your help!

Malia

 

Awesome, return that drive you bought, and you are set.

Todays your lucky day.
I am glad you were able to get it to work. Nothing like free bonuses.

K-TRON