Why does your laptop do not recognize your hard disk?

Answer 1

A few things to check:

1. Does the motherboard / BIOS detect the hard drive?

2. Is it formatted? The Linux installer should be able to see it, but it will be unable to mount it or use it.

3. If it is formatted, have you tried using it? Mounting file systems involves a command like:

mount /dev/sdc3 /media/disk-2

You will need to create a folder called "disk-2" at /media in order to mount it there.

4. If you are using a SATA drive, does your distro support them? Older distros, such as ones from before 2004, and Damn Small Linux, will not support these properly.

Answer 2

When you install a new hard disk into a computer, internal or external it may not show up as a drive letter until the drive has been partitioned and formatted.

To partition and format your new hard disk, open up the control panel, go into administrative tools, computer management. In the computer management screen you will find a section for disk management. You can use this to partition and format any unallocated space.

Note: Be very careful poking around in the disk management settings. One of the disks listed there is your primary hard disk with windows & all your favorite stuff saved on it. A few wrong clicks in these menus, and you lose everything. ONLY partition and format if you find unallocated space or if you are VERY SURE you are clicking on the right disk. You have been warned!

Note: When you do format your hard disk, be sure to use the quick format. The not-quick format isn't any better and on modern-sized hard disks takes forever.

If your hard disk does not show up in the disk management either. Your problem isn't with windows, your motherboard bios is not seeing the hard disk. Check all your cable connections again, ensure your power supply is up to the task (400w or more if you have 2 hdds) and make sure your BIOS are configured to enable the appropriate PATA/SATA channel.

Answer 3

Because it's not correctly calibrated.