Applies to: All editions
Device does not appear
- Confirm power, data cables, enclosure status, and physical seating.
- Check Windows Device Manager and Disk Management.
- Install the approved controller or HBA driver.
- Refresh the DriveErase device list.
- Test a direct connection where an adapter or bridge is suspected.
- Review RAID, HBA, multipath, or virtualization configuration.
- Confirm that the device reports as a physical disk rather than only as an inaccessible management object.
Do not use a guessed disk path when the device is absent.
Device appears with generic identity
A storage bridge or controller can replace model and serial data. Connect one device at a time, compare capacity and physical bay, and use controller-management evidence to establish identity.
When the identity is insufficient for the required custody standard, stop and use a better access path.
Device is marked as system disk
DriveErase will not select the active system disk. Move the target to another host as a non-system device.
Selection is lost after refresh
Refreshing rebuilds the device set. Disk numbers can change. Re-select the target and repeat the full identity and settings review.
Device changes between Windows and restart
A selected device can fail identity resolution when:
- A USB device was disconnected;
- The controller changed enumeration order;
- A bay was replaced;
- A virtual disk was detached or recreated;
- The reported serial, path, or capacity changed.
Return to Windows, restore the approved hardware configuration, refresh, and create a new signed job.