Drive missing from system after restart

Hi

Windows 10 Version: 10.0.19042 Build 19042


Have 3 drives in system, C: windows 10/boot, D for my data (and to which I have moved library folders) and E whcih is a mirrored copy of D. All are encrypted with bitlocker which is set to mount drives D and E from C (boot drive).

I have other backups of data so no worries about that. Luckily had just manaully synced data to my laptop as well.

Just did a restart and for some reason was machine went into restart a second time.

When Windows restarted my D drive is missing (from device manager, disk management and of course explorer.

The only explanation I can think of is the drive has died. Can't figure out how to get it back if not.

Can anyone offer any suggestions? Is it goign o be a matter fo checking if the drive is actually spinning somehow?

Hi you can quickly check your disks (and communication) with the excellent Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) - portable version available.
(SSDs too). Great appraisal right on its GUI.

First, I would check to make sure all connections to the drive are secure, and the connections for the drive on the motherboard are secure.

Second, I would swap in a different SATA cable if you have an extra one. If not, try the cable from the other SATA drive to see if it makes a difference. I have heard of SATA cables going bad.

Third, I would try to plug it into a different SATA port on the motherboard if you have one that is not being used.

If none of this makes a difference, I would then assume that the drive has gone bad. Typically it will be the drive circuitry that has gone bad.

kevvyb said:

See updated post. It has come to life again after cold reboot. For now.

Id run some diagnostics on that drive. It may very well be on its last legs. Id start planning on getting a new drive to replace it.

Still run HDS. Disks may function but data transfer can be poor. I've had a couple of cases where a connection cable needed to be replaced as prompted by HDS.

A good idea is to continually monitor drives for degradation. Crystal Diskinfo (free) can be set to do that and alert you automatically.

Further, if you follow the oh so very often given advice here to use disk imaging regularly and routinely, the very act of disk imaging means existing conten is checked for integrity and imaging will fail, meaning you are alerted.