Installing a sata hd from windows

[RoomK101]

I already have windows up and running with a regular hard drive. Is there a way to just get some sata drivers that I can run straight from windows? If so, where can I get them?

Thanks for the help!

[Lexluethar]

You need the proper hardware for Sata drives, it isn't just the drives themselves that are different, the connection (and most importantly speed) are different as well. If you do not have any Sata connectors on your MB, you can purchase a card that can support Sata drives.

Here is one of those cards:Newegg.com - Rosewill RC-210 Silicon Image e-SATA PCI Controller Card - Also includes an additional Low Profile Size PCI Bracket - Controllers / RAID Cards

[RoomK101]

The board I have does have sata ports. It's all hooked up, the pc just doesn't see it.

[Lexluethar]

You have to format the drive before windows can see it. They usually come unformatted since you may use it for Mac, or NTFS, or FAT32. It may show up in disk management as unpartitioned - if so just format it from that screen. If it doesn't show up on in the OS you will need a 3rd party partitioning tool. If that doesn't see it you may have a bad drive.

[RoomK101]

It's not showing up under disk management. Can you recommend a 3rd party partition tool? Also, I think my msi mobo has more than 1 sata port, does it make a difference which one I'm plugged in to?

[wicked23]

Gparted

Recommended Software for certain tasks

It shouldn't matter as long as it's active in bios.