[beekhuis]

I have a Dell Optplex320 and use Windows XP. I was recently hijacked and we had to reinstall most programs.
I have an external Western Digital MD1200 Digital hard drive for backups etc. I reinstalled it but the computer does not recognize it.
It does recognize my Seagate backup drive.
Waht can I do?

[computerguy1990]

Does the drive show up under device manager and just not under windows explorer? or does it not show up at all?

[beekhuis]

It does show up on Device Manager but not when I click on "Computer"

[TheOutcaste]

Does it appear in Disk Management, and does it have a drive letter assigned that does not conflict with another disk?
To open Disk Management, right click Computer, click Manage
Click Disk Management

[beekhuis]

I have a Seagate 5000 and a Western Digital 1200
Drive F shows the files on my Seagate 5000 but in Disk Management - properties - hardware it points to Western Digital 5000 (which I do not have).
Drive I shows the correct files on my WD but in Disk Management - properties - hardware, it also pointys to WD5000.

[beekhuis]

Correction: I do have a WD5000 but it is unplugged and disconnected.

[TheOutcaste]

The hardware tab should list all drives, in alphabetical order, and will have the first drive in the list highlighted, regardless of what drive you clicked. It does not indicate what hardware is associated with the drive you selected.

So, both externals are shown, both have a drive letter.
Drive F: shows the files on the Seagate
Drive I: shows the files on the WD 1200

But Drive I: does not appear in My Computer?

If you have TweakUI installed (All Programs | Powertoys for Windows XP), check to see if it's set to hide drive I:. The setting is under My Computer | Drives.

If you don't have TweakUI, check these two locations in the Registry (Start | Run, type regedit, press Enter)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

If there is an item named NoDrives on the right side, delete it. May want to export the key first just in case: right click the folder in the left pane, click Export.
Reboot is needed if the item was in the Local Machine branch, Log Off/Log On if in the Current User branch.

You can also try changing the letter in Disk Management from I: to something else. Right click and click Change Drive Letter and Paths...

Jerry