If your system is not recognizing your hard drive, there are several steps you can take to try and resolve the issue.
1. Use the Windows Device Manager: The Windows Device Manager allows you to view all of the hardware devices connected to your computer. If a device isn’t recognized, you can try to uninstall it from here. After uninstalling, restart your computer and see if it recognizes the hard drive again.
2. Check the power and connectivity: Make sure the hard drive is firmly connected via a USB or SATA cable, and that it is receiving power. If you’re using an external hard drive, check that it is plugged into an active power outlet and make sure the USB cable is connected correctly.
3. Check the disk’s File System: You may need to check that the file system on the disk is compatible with your Windows operating system. You can do this by going to the Disk Management utility of the Computer Management Console and checking the properties of the hard drive. If necessary, you can right click on the disk to reformat it and try again.
4. Run CHKDSK: This utility checks the integrity of files on the hard drive. To run it, type chkdsk in the Command Prompt and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
5. Perform an SFC scan: This will check for any corrupt system files that might be causing the problem. To do this, open a Command Prompt, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
6. Replace the cables and power adapter: If the above steps fail, you may need to replace the data and power cables and power adapter (if applicable). If you have an internal drive, you may also need to check the interface port and ensure that the controller boards are receiving power.
7. Consult a professional: If none of the above steps work, seek the help of a professional who can diagnose and repair the issue.