Windows cannot see external hard drive

RKF

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HP Envy dv7, Windows 8

Seagate 2TB drive mounted in a Thermaltake, Max 5 enclosure. The drive does not show in Windows 8. Does show when running Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) but shows as "Unallocated" without a drive letter. If run the Seagate drive tools, it shows up as unallocated, with drive letter "C". But there is obviously already a drive "C".

Disk Management does not present a means by which to assign a drive letter.

Suggestions? :shock:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY dv7
    Browser
    IE 10
    Antivirus
    MSSE
Disk Management does not present a means by which to assign a drive letter.

It should. However, you need to create a basic volume via right click menu and assign a drive letter that way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Agreed. It should. But when I right click, the drop down does not include an option to assign a drive letter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY dv7
    Browser
    IE 10
    Antivirus
    MSSE

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
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    Logitech
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If disk management is showing the space as unallocated, you need to create a basic volume. Now, I don't remember if you can assign a drive letter during that process or whether you need to go back in "after" the basic volume is created. So, first create the basic volume and see where that leads.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Normally When you add a new HD and run disk management, it will automatically prompt you to create a new simple volume and the nest step will assign a drive letter then format the disk. In some weird case, disk management does not give you the option to do anything then you need to use diskpart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Windows can't see external drive

In previous attempts, create simple volume was grayed-out. But I will try that again as it seems the most straight forward and simplest (read that, less chance of hosing things up) approach. If that doesn't work, I will try the disk partition route. Many thanks to both My2cents, topgunpc for their suggestions.

Fergie:think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY dv7
    Browser
    IE 10
    Antivirus
    MSSE
I was able to use the create simple volume option this time. Interesting as I had previously formatted the drive as GPT but did not see an option to assign a drive letter at that point. Regardless, I am now able to access the HDD as drive "E". Kudos and approbations to my2cents and topgunpc for their suggestions. Thanks, Fergie
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY dv7
    Browser
    IE 10
    Antivirus
    MSSE
I was able to use the create simple volume option this time. Interesting as I had previously formatted the drive as GPT but did not see an option to assign a drive letter at that point. Regardless, I am now able to access the HDD as drive "E". Kudos and approbations to my2cents and topgunpc for their suggestions. Thanks, Fergie

Great news! Apparently, either one our solutions would have worked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
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