How can I install three HDD in my Z420 workstation?

[Ryjek57]

Hi. I have a Z420 workstation. I have a 1TB Crucial MX500 for my boot drive and a 2TB Seagate drive for storage.

I have tried to install another 1TB storage drive but the problem is: The bios sees the drive in Device configuration but not in Boot order. I have tried setting the SATA mode to both RAID+AHCI and just AHCI.

The disk management does mot see the third drive.

I have swapped the sata cable with the Seagate drive and it now sees it!!!

Swap it back and still can only see two drives. the third drive is plugged into the third sata port on mobo and I have tried different ports.

[Brian1965 · Accepted solution]

Hi Ryjek57,

You've probably checked the following, but just in case you haven't.

1.   Please check that the SATA ports are enabled in the BIOS. You can find the settings under BIOS> SECURITY> DEVICE SECURITY. (I'm guessing that if the BIOS can see the drive it means that the SATA port is enabled.)

2.   Please ensure the drive is connected to one of the SATA ports as indicated in yellow;

3.   Set the SATA ports to AHCI.

4.   When you say Disk Management, I assume you are referring to this screen?

5.   The Z420 has 3 internal drive bays. When you say you 'swapped the SATA cable' are you saying you are unplugging and moving cables on the motherboard? Are all 3 drives fitted into the proper Z420 HDD/SSD caddies?

[Ryjek57]

Hi Brian.

Success! I had the drive plugged into 17 0-3 ports instead on the ones marked in yellow. I plugged it into 14 and I recognised it straight away...Thanks you very much