Hard drive installation

[unclecrash]

Hi all,

I have searched the threads because i know the info is there.... i just can't find it, so here is a problem that has been dealt with probably many times before.

Hard drive installation!

I have a laptop on vista with a 60 gig hd to which i want to add an ext usb Hitachi 120gb with its own PS.(had problems posted before on this but vendor assures me problem was because i installed unecessary software)

I also have a desktop on XP SP2 with an 80gb hd to which i want to add an internal seagate 40gb hd

The problem is identical with both.

I installed the drives as per instruction using correct jumper positions and ide connections where necessary and in both cases the drives; show on device manager and show in hardware tab when C drive is right clicked and properties selected.
The drives also show "New hardware found" when first connected/powered.

All seems well to that point but the drives do not show in "My Computer" and where they do show no options are available to further their installation.

I downloaded some free partition software (that claims to be able to install disks) but again althoough they found the drives they offered no options to cure the problem.

Any advice. I have read that windows admin tools have the necessary for installation of disks but i cant find it/them.

Or do i have to just fork out for partition software and if so whats best and gauranteed to work.

I did somehow manage to get the two drives showing in "My Computer" on the desktop but the new one dissappeared after using recovery console.

Many thanks in advance

[mrt9888]

go to control panel then administrative tools then computer management then storage then disk managment then format the new drive

[RoBe]

or right click my computer>manage, then go to disk management and right click on the new drive and format.
Pretty much the same as above but i find it a lot quicker

[unclecrash]

Thanks people. simplicity when you know how.
You wouldn't want to know how many people who apparently know a lot about computers couldn't answer this one. Even the fella i bought it off suggested buying software. Then again he would wouldn't he.

Thanks again, both drives working great. This forum is worth its weight in gold to us amatuers.