Why is my 2nd HDD missing completely?

Hello, I was hoping someone could help me with this.
I was trying to download a file onto my D drive (2nd HDD) when it said that the location is not found. I then realised that the drive was missing from My PC, from disk manager and even device management. I then checked the bios and found that although my SSD (HDD0 slot) had some information about it, the HDD1 slot (which I assume refers to the D drive) displays "none" despite both slots being turned on in the bios.
I had also downloaded a virtual CD drive earlier which now took the place of the D drive . After I unmounted it, when I tried opening it it said "please insert disk" which is understandable. However, when I tried opening files I had stored in my original D drive, it said the same thing along with "volume not found" and "path is not found".

My device management screen showed only my SSD along with two partitions of a few MB each(no idea where they came from or if they were already there). I tried everything from restarting, to updating my bios using an Acer website link that said "2nd HDD information missing from bios fix" but nothing worked. I had no backup points so I couldnt system restore as well. I can't update the drivers for the missing drive because I can't find it in the first place.
Also note that the properties of the Virtual CD drive (the now D drive) shows that it has no space and the properties of the C drive shows (128 GB which is normal) so I have no idea where all the 900+ GB from my 2nd HDD has gone.
I don't know whether this is a hardware issue or if I somehow turned a physical drive to a virtual one, stupid as I am.
I would greatly appreciate any help on how I can get my drive back, thanks!

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JackE

If the 1TB HDD1 fails to show up in the BIOS Main tab, it's lost power or succumbed. First thing is to try re-seating it's connections to the mainboard. What's your full model number? The HDD should be located behind a 1 screw door on the bottom cover. Jack E/NJ

Pluto999

JackE said:

If the 1TB HDD1 fails to show up in the BIOS Main tab, it's lost power or succumbed. First thing is to try re-seating it's connections to the mainboard. What's your full model number? The HDD should be located behind a 1 screw door on the bottom cover. Jack E/NJ

It's G3-572-58M1. I found the hard drive but how exactly do I reseat it's connections?

JackE

Easy. Remove the 4 small phillips head screws as shown below. Then simply lift the HDD up along with the cable. Then gently pull the cable's connector out of the back of the drive. You may have repeatedly pull one side of the connector a little bit, then the other in sort of a rocking motion to essentially walk the connector out. After it's out, simply push the connector back in. Repeat this re-seating procedure a few times to help clean all the contacts inside the connector housings. Then button it back up and try it again. Jack E/NJ

Pluto999

Ok, I just unplugged and replugged the connecter about 4 times and then checked again but it's still not showing up anywhere, even in bios. Could this mean that the drive is faulty?

JackE

>>>Could this mean that the drive is faulty?>>>

It could also be the other end of the cable at the mainboard or the cable itself. Checking those out requires some disassembly. Or you can remove the HDD, plug it in to a USB port with a laptop 2.5" HDD-2-USB port adapter cable (very cheap) and see if you can see it in FileExplorer. If FileExplorer also doesn't see it in the USB port, then yes the HDD is faulty. If it does see it, then either the cable or its mainboard connector is faulty. What do you want to do? Jack E/NJ

xapim

@Pluto999 check your drive in another device or usb dock adapter cable/enclosure to rule it out if the drive its working/spinning fine then as @JackE stated its the sata cable connector either lose on the mobo side or faulty if the drive is dead u have to get a new one if still on warranty send it for a repair/replacement i would suggest to check the drive first before disassembling the laptop to the check mobo sata port where the cable is plugged as you might void your warranty doing so (if still on warranty)

XdxD

@JackE , what was the latest v1.22 BIOS update for? Had something about 2nd HDD not being detected in BIOS.

JackE

XdxD Good catch! That might be the problem. Pluto999 What BIOS version number do you have? May be worth a try since its fix directly addresses the issue that you seem to have. https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/7310?b=1 Jack E/NJ

XdxD

JackE said:

XdxD Good catch! That might be the problem. Pluto999 What BIOS version number do you have? May be worth a try since its fix directly addresses the issue that you seem to have. https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/7310?b=1 Jack E/NJ

No problem, mate! Btw, I never had this issue even in v1.21 of BIOS. Strange thing is this problem came up for @Pluto999 after the release of this specific BIOS version. Maybe new Windows Update messed with something. Coz that's what I installed after this BIOS flash.

JackE

XdxD >>>I never had this issue even in v1.21 of BIOS. Strange thing is this problem came up for @Pluto999 after the release of this specific BIOS version.>>>

Yes. Sometimes small production or regional variations of the same model might be affected like Pluto999. So if his machine has such an issue, and the BIOS update specifically addresses this issue, then it seems worth the risk of applying the v1.22 update. Jack E/NJ

Pluto999

That's the bios update I downloaded and installed already. It seemed like the perfect fix to my problem but it didn't work. I'm going to try connecting it externally with the adapter and I'll let y'all know what happens.

JackE

Wait. Did you shut the machine completely off, cold booted and checked it again? Jack E/NJ

XdxD

Pluto999 said:

That's the bios update I downloaded and installed already. It seemed like the perfect fix to my problem but it didn't work. I'm going to try connecting it externally with the adapter and I'll let y'all know what happens.

Sad to know that that didn't work out for you. Hope your issue gets solved by the action you are about to take.

Noulee

can anyone help me
my acer n15p2 sometime HHD failed show up in disk management and the keyboard touch-pad doesn't work but when plug in adapter it show on HHD and it normally work.