Windows 10: Laptop can't decide if it can see 2nd HDD or not

How can I ensure my laptop finds the data drive consistently???

System: HP 250 G7 laptop, running Win 10 1909.
OS mounted on SSD, data and apps on 2nd SATA HDD.

On booting, BIOS and Disk Management often drop the SATA HDD completely. Not always, but 75% of the time.
Of the other 25%, 2/3 of the time it's not really fully functional (eg activation-dependant apps forget they've been activated).

So far I have checked the firmware, reseated the SATA ribbon, replaced the SATA ribbon and HDD connector, run WU.

I don't see a setting in BIOS to detect an additional HDD, nor is it in the UEFI Boot.

This has been going on for a week, and any advice would be welcome.

:)

 

Laptop can't decide if it can see 2nd HDD or not

Hi, you might try running Hard Disk Sentinel (SSDs too) - trial - portable version available.
This, amongst other things, checks communication.

Best instant appraisal I know, right on its GUI.
Please post the result for both disks thus:

Were there any significant changes or updates around then?
Did anyone knock, bang or drop the device?

 

unlock hdd

Hi Johan,

It is possible that your
HDD was unreadable
causing the error message to appear. We recommend that you perform these troubleshooting steps and check if there are any changes:

• 
  Shutdown
  your
  PC.
  
• 
  Unhooked
  the
  HDD
  and
  turn on
  your
  PC.
  
• 
  Reconnect
  your
  HDD
  and
  restart
  your
  PC.
  

If the issue persists, we suggest that you contact your
laptop/computer's manufacturer
for further assistance.

Update us on how it goes.

Regards.

 

Laptop can't decide if it can see 2nd HDD or not

How can I ensure my laptop finds the data drive consistently???

System: HP 250 G7 laptop, running Win 10 1909.
OS mounted on SSD, data and apps on 2nd SATA HDD.

On booting, BIOS and Disk Management often drop the SATA HDD completely. Not always, but 75% of the time.
Of the other 25%, 2/3 of the time it's not really fully functional (eg activation-dependant apps forget they've been activated).

So far I have checked the firmware, reseated the SATA ribbon, replaced the SATA ribbon and HDD connector, run WU.

I don't see a setting in BIOS to detect an additional HDD, nor is it in the UEFI Boot.

This has been going on for a week, and any advice would be welcome.