PC recognized added HDD, then didnt after reboot

Hey majorgeeks! So I have a windows xp computer with a SATA hdd. I found an old seagate ATA hdd that I wanted to get files off of. I hooked up the old one in master without removing the sata drive and started up the PC without changing anything in the bios. It went through some 3 stage file checking and I was in. I was able to get into the HDD and view everything. A message came up saying now that new hardware was installed, I would need to reboot. So I did and now the old HDD isn't being recognized. However, after looking through the sata hdd that my PC boots from, there are a bunch of .cab files that weren't there before in the c drive that had names similar to files from the older at a drive. Is the HDD dead and can I still get data off it?

 

XP is a bit old now, but we are here to help.
When you open Disk Management, what "File System" is listed for each of your drives?
I assume there is no way you accidently booted from the old HDD.

And, yes, you should be able to get data off the HDD. We just need more info to think about.

 

I appreciate the reply! No, It didn't boot from the old drive. Everything still looks exactly how i left it from files to the background. The file system is NTFS. The boot HDD has C D and E partitions.

 

Not to sure what is going on. I did have a problem with IDE connections with XP and SATA2. Had a look on a popular auction site (ebay) and came across.

TWIN 2.5/3.5'' IDE/SATA HDD Hard Disk Drive Dock Docking Station USB HUB Reader
for just under £18.

Good luck with the journey,
s.

 

That would be a good idea, but I already have all the equipment to access the hdd and would rather not spend money on extra stuff.

 

You say that you didn't change anything in the BIOS. This is probably a mistake.
Press F2 on boot up enter bios set default bios and save.
It might help...
s.

 

Happen to have another computer you can set up the original success with and copy the files?

 

I really didn't change anything. I hooked hooked in up, turned it on and let it boot. It went through a CHKDSK where it checked the drives for consistency. It ended up deleting some lost or broken files but when it was done, I was logged in and was able to view the files. After reboot, hard drive no longer detected.

 

Exactly, now maybe a new computer will do the same, only when it asks you to reboot you copy files instead.
Sounds like Windows put in an incorrect driver so deleting the HDD from the Device Manager may work as well.

 

I could use my current computer but I don't believe my motherboard supports ATA connection: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M4A89GTD_PROUSB3/specifications/

Am I able to go into device manager on the older one and find/delete the driver to start over?

 

You probably can, just be careful.
If you have an earlier restore point that may work as well.