I would try the following: check the power and data cables. Unplug them and try a different SATA port and or power cable.

Good Luck

I do have the same problem with a 500GB Sata. Was working well, then on boot its gone. Tried the disc on another PC, but the same problem. Mine is a Seagate. All my data is on this drive and backup not working.
Is there a solution?

I got the same problem, the seagate 500GB cannot be detected suddenly... sounds like some flaws for their 500GB model? All my important data are just g0ne...

Hmm also came here as my 500GB SATA Seagate has just suddenly stopped working... Not detected in BIOS after a reboot....

This same thing happened to me, also with a 500 Gigabyte Seagate internal drive. My computer was running fine and then I turned it off for the night. The next morning, my bios stopped recognizing the drive. Another computer with a seperate sataII connection and power connection also couldn't read the drive. The drive just went to sleep and died.

Further to my previous post, there is a KNOWN ISSUE with Seagate 500gb and 1tb 7200.11 drives relating to the firmware. Symptoms include not being detected in BIOS after reboot (without warning) and wrong sizes being indicated in BIOS. Check the Seagate website for more information. If your drive is under warranty, as mine was, you should be able to get it repaired by Seagate (with your data intact) free of charge providing it is the Firmware issue.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Greetings!

Perhaps this might be useful to others...

I telephoned Seagate Technical Support (long wait) and basically followed this procedure:
http://forums.seagate.com/...

The person on the telephone verified my drive as being in warranty (5 years) and asked numerous questions as to what I had tried to get the drive to work. Among the things I pointed out was that the Seagate site listed my drive as needed new firmware but I was unable to apply since the drive was not detected. He then said that I can return the drive and they will ship replacement.

I then said that it was my understanding that Seagate would apply the firmware and recover the data is necessary. He then said that data recovery would be at a charge and the drive would be returned in about 5 weeks.

It was only when I told him that I politely told him that I had read that Seagate acknowledged it was THEIR problem and I read him this statement I found here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128807

"Recommendation
Seagate strongly recommends customers proactively update all affected drives to the latest firmware. If you have experienced a problem, or have an affected drive exhibiting this behavior, please contact your appropriate Seagate representative. If you are unable to access your data due to this issue, Seagate will provide free data recovery services. Seagate will work with you to expedite a remedy to minimize any disruption to you or your business."

He then said that he would check. He then came back and said that he would give me a case number and for me to contact their data recovery operation. He said that what would happen is that the firmware would be applied and if the drive works it will be sent back. If not, I will be contacted to determine if I want to have the data recovered ($500-$3000). If not, the drive will be returned and I could obtain new drive as part of the warranty exchange.

I got the impression that either the tech was not up-to-date on this drive's problem because he had to check (how could he NOT know with so many drives having this problem for many months?) or that this was some kind of first-line-of-defense (drive exchange) or he was just just not concerned & simply going through a routine casually (I suppose being in tech support does that over time).

When I contacted the data recovery, the polite man said he did not recognize the case number. Never a good sign. I was asked where I got that number. I said tech support. He seemed puzzled. I told him that I was given his telephone number and that he would have the case number. He then asked me to describe what was wrong with the drive, etc. I was directed to an online site form and asked to complete it and to include the case number. Instructions are provided on how to package and return via UPS. When the drive is received and evaluated a technician will contact me with information.

I will ship the drive to their data recovery operation today. In the back of my mind I wonder about that case number. If not the firmware, then I will try the do-it-yourself 'necessity is the mother of invention' mod.

j

Update:

I shipped the 500 Gb drive last evening per Seagate instructions.

This morning I received email that drive received.

This afternoon I receive email stating that they determined it was faulty firmware and was corrected.

Soon thereafter, I received email that they backup my data and will retain for 14 days (in case I have problems with the drive) AND that the "media" has been shipped back. I was given UPS tracking number.

Amazing service!

Thanks for the help! I wish you success: with Seagate or with the 7200 fixit procedure in the link above.

janusz

SUBJECT: ST3500320AS Barracuda 7200.11 SATA 3Gb/s 500-GB Hard Drive

I come back from holiday 2 weeks ago, switched on my computer and after the BIOS posted, nothing happened. My boot drive is a Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11, firmware SD15. I googled this thread and concluded that it must be a sudden firmware issue causing the “breakdown” of my hard drive (I could still hear it spin up to speed but my BIOS reported no hard disk detected. I checked the power and SATA wiring with my other hard drives and these were detected as usual).

I contacted Seagate support Tuesday, TNT came at Seagate's expense to pick up the unit Thursday. Arrived at Seagate Amsterdam service centre Friday. Received message same day saying that it was a firmware issue and they were on the case. Unit arrived back on Tuesday. Put the drive back in my PC that night and it booted into my Windows XP OS as if nothing had ever happened.

Conclusion: very disappointed and worried that drive developed this issue in the first place but first class Seagate service thereafter. I use three identical drives and have now updated the firmware for the remaining two. Hopefully this will be the last time this type of issue arises.

Hope this helps.

Hey i currently have same problem like you guy... after monthly headache i have find solution and work out for my hd... firstly my hard disk are WD 500gb model WD5000AACS... in 5to7 month my hardisk have symptom cannot detected after im start my computer ...sometime in use my computer hank or should i say freeze and after restart my hard disk WD500gb cannot detected.... when i tough to send my hard disk to shop(warranty) i try use back and detected but after in 5 - 10 minute it cannot detected i need my hard disk cool down before try again.... then i try my other hard disk hitaichi 80gb and have same symptom like my wd hard disk with difference that i got warning delayed write well whatever it means from window then i try to searching solution for this problem and i found the solution and apply this solution to my hitaichi and also to WD hard disk ... and what.... i can use back my hard disk Hitaichi and WD with out problem.... ohhhh god...the horror to lose 300gb worth of data..... go here for solution http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330174

first for all this solution workout for me....i dont know if workout for you guy... it just work like charm...tips
i can give to you that if your hard disk cannot detected make sure your hard disk dont make any funny sound ...well use your hand to know... secondly make sure your hard disk cool down...better dont use for 2-3 hour before attempting to try again your hard disk can detected or not.. if your hard disk can detected apply the solution on to your hard disk.. better for all your hard disk...

thridly....im not english...if you dont understand what i try to say well ....