When your PC doesn't recognize a new drive, the problem is likely to be in one of three main areas.

New drive installed, but it doesn't work

Reader Elvin Cordle's Windows needs a little more elbow room, so he decided to add a new, larger hard drive to his machine.

    * "I originally had two hard drives (80gig and 40gig) installed in my computer, and recently I wanted to update one of the drives to a 160gig. After I made the swap, the computer does not recognize the new drive. All of the drives are parallel ATA.

      "I am pretty familiar with computers and have always repaired my computer and several of my friends' computers. Any help will be appreciated."
Revealing file extensions in Windows 7

This week's WindowsSecrets.com newsletter runs through the how-tos for installing a new drive and getting it working properly.

Other items in my column this week:

• Revealing file extensions in Windows 7
• Is it OK now to install Windows 7 SP1?
• Freeware fixes for desktop icon problems

The following link includes all articles this week: http://WindowsSecrets.com/comp/110324

Free content posted on March 24, 2011:

TOP STORY By Jan Bultmann As disasters spread, so do online scammers How to keep yourself safe in disastrous times LOUNGE LIFE By Kathleen Atkins The Chimera has other names: ask network admins WACKY WEB WEEK By Revia Romberg Extreme luck — wrong place, right time

 
You get all of the following in our paid content:

LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa The basics of installing a new hard drive New drive installed, but it doesn't work Revealing file extensions in Windows 7 Is it OK now to install Windows 7 SP1? Freeware fixes for desktop icon problems

WOODY'S WINDOWS By Woody Leonhard Internet Explorer 9's nagging 64-bit woes Personal computing migrating rapidly to 64-bit A plethora of 64-bit compatibility problems What 64-bit Windows customers need to know Microsoft's dragging its 64-bit heels

PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley Still not ready to give Win7 SP1 the green light Installation failures with Win7's service pack Comodo compromise causes consternation Getting to the root of root certifications Adobe releasing yet another fix for Flash Apple releases fixes for zero-day threats Test IE 9 with its two associated updates A new Firefox heading to a PC near you What you won't see in the Problem Chart Regularly updated problem-patch chart

A portion of your support helps children in developing countries Each month, we send a full year of sponsorship to a different child. Your contributions in March are helping us to sponsor Juan Luis, a six-year-old boy from Mexico. Children International channels development aid from donors to Juan Luis and his community. We also sponsor kids through Save the Children. More info

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