How to Detect Hard Drives

Installing a new hard drive in a Windows PC is usually a plug-and-play affair. When you install the drive, Windows should automatically recognize the drive and prepare it for use. There are instances, however, when Windows does not recognize the drive after installation. Using the Windows Device Manager, you can instruct Windows to manually scan your computer for any new hardware. This involves only a few steps and should allow you to use your new hard drive.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button, right-click the "Computers" option and select "Manage."

2. Select "Device Manager" from the left hand side of the "Computer Management" window.

3. Scan the list of devices to see if your newly installed hard drive is present. If not, right-click in an empty area and select "Scan for hardware changes." This will scan your computer for new hardware and will initiate an installation process.

4. Follow the instructions given by the New Hardware Device wizard to complete the installation of your new hard drive. Note that you may need to download drivers from your hard drive's manufacturer if you experience issues.

References

• Addictive Tips: How to Install Hardware or Device Drivers Manually in Windows 7 / Vista
• Microsoft: Install or Remove a Hard Disk Drive