# I just installed a SATA hard drive.  It  is working properly.  Why can't I access it?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 9, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987 "2006-08-09T10:46:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Nothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f04885/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987/1 "2006-08-09T10:46:06Z")

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I just installed a SATA hard drive in my computer. The new drive is listed on the startup screen with my other SATA drive and I ran ‘Add Hardware’ from the control panel and it told me the device was working properly. When I open My Computer I can’t find it. Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987/2 "2006-08-09T10:52:19Z")

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I suspect it will need partitioning and formatting.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987/3 "2006-08-09T10:53:34Z")

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> **[Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US)**
>
> Microsoft support is here to help you with Microsoft products. Find how-to articles, videos, and training for Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365, Windows, Surface, and more.

Just make sure you apply the method to the right drive (i.e. not your existing one, on which your OS is installed)

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**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Nothing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f04885/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987/4 "2006-08-09T11:08:50Z")

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Wow thanks. That has to set a record for the quickest answer. I figured it was something pretty elemetary. It’s just been too long since I messed around inside my computer case.

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**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\
**Post date:** [August 9, 2006, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-installed-a-sata-hard-drive-it-is-working-properly-why-cant-i-access-it/367987/5 "2006-08-09T13:34:00Z")

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Mangetout your just too fast for me today. You didn’t leave an easy tech support questions. 🙂