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Thread ID: 141732	2016-02-12 05:36:00	Windows File explorer opening by itself - suspect drive connection?	Chikara (5139)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1415959	2016-02-12 05:36:00	Hi all, I while ago, I posted about an intermittent problem I was having, where File Explorer would open a window by itself. Here's the original post: pressf1.pcworld.co.nz The problem has still continued, but I had pretty much given up on solving it, hoping that some future windows update, or firmware or software update, might fix the problem. So - a few days ago, I needed to burn some CD's, so i installed an older CD version I had of Nero, that included Nero Backup. Since then, I have noticed that whenever this original problem occurs (i.e. File Explorer window opens by itself, showing the contents of my E: drive) - at the same time, Nero express pops up a window saying it's detected this drive and asks if I want to use it as a backup destination. I am now suspecting that the cause of this file explorer window opening is that somehow the relevant HDD is temporarily losing connectivity, and then when it reconnects windows is sensing it as a 'new' drive - which is why the file explorer window opens for this drive. So my question to you all is - how can I troubleshoot this? I will try and check the drive cable connection and make sure it's not loose. I will try and find another internal SATA cable also, and switch the cable in case the cable itself is faulty. Apart from that, what else should I check? Are there any settings in BIOS, or control panel etc that I should be checking? I have done a scan on the disc, and a SMART check and there seems no obvious problems ith the drive itself. Thanks in advance BTW - My specs were in the original post, but this is Win 10 64 bit, my main C drive is a SDD, and I have two other internal HDD's - one (E) for other programs, and the second (F)for files and data. This problem only seems to relate to E drive.	Chikara (5139)
1415960	2016-02-12 09:14:00	If you think the hdd is the cause (if it's SATA), how is it connected? Directly from the PSU to the hdd. Or do you use a molex adapter?	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1415961	2016-02-12 10:12:00	Hi Speedy, yes it's SATA. The only reason I suspect it's the HDD is because Nero seems to be 'detecting' the drive and asking if I want to use it as a backup destination, at the same time the file explorer window opens for that drive. The two events must be related to each other, and I can only guess it is because somehow it is temporarily losing the connection to that HDD. It's just a theory though. When I got this machine, I chose the parts but I got the supplier to assemble it for me - so I am not sure exactly how it was connected. I will open up the case Saturday and check things out.	Chikara (5139)
1415962	2016-02-18 10:47:00	Hi again all, sorry for the delay reporting back. I have some further information on this, and hoping you can assist me to see if this really is the cause of my trouble. Now bearing in mind I don't really know what I am looking at - I know the very basics in terms of hardware setup and installation, and that's it. So as I posted earlier, I have a SSD as my main / OS and important programs drive (C); and I have two separate HDD's - one for other programs (E) and one for data/files (F). I opened up my case. Couldn't really see too clearly the back, so I attempted to remove the two HDD's from the front. One drive was connected to cables so it would not fully remove (which is what I was expecting). The second drive - the one I have had those messages about - removed completely. It seems to me that the cables attached to it may have been lose and were not securely in. So, I have re-attched the two cables again. I was surprised though that neither of them seem to 'click' in place. They are just held by friction only, is that correct? Or does that mean I have a faulty cable? See the attached pictures - for what they are worth - of the setup. 69716972 The other thing I want to add, as part of my trouble shooting, I checked the Event viewer. I can find these entries that seem to relate to it: Disk 1 has been surprise removed. Reset to device, \Device\RaidPort1, was issued. The IO operation at logical block address 0x0 for Disk 1 (PDO name: \Device\00000176) was retried. Volume E: (\Device\HarddiskVolume34) is healthy. No action is needed. Now, this kind-of ties into my theory of somehow the drive temporarily disconnecting. But I was surprised to see a reference to RAID, as I am not on a RAID configuration. Is this just a generic WIndows Event message, or does this mean I have to do some further troubleshooting on this also? Thanks in advance for any help!	Chikara (5139)
1415963	2016-02-18 17:04:00	It looks like Reset to device, \Device\RaidPort1, was issued. The IO operation at logical block address 0x0 for Disk 1 (PDO name: \Device\00000176) was retried. May mean update the Rapid storage tech drivers / SATA drivers	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1415964	2016-02-18 19:45:00	So, I have re-attched the two cables again . I was surprised though that neither of them seem to 'click' in place . They are just held by friction only, is that correct? You can get Sata data cables with metal clips . They hold on/in really well Try turning off HD power save (control panel, power options), I dont think it will solve the issue but its the 1st step	1101 (13337)
1415965	2016-02-18 21:51:00	Those appear to be the cable type with clips in the photos. Check the power and sata connections are firmly in at both ends, try another cable if possible. It does sound like it's a drive dropping out and reconnecting. RAID ports could just be because the controller is set to RAID mode in the BIOS, doesn't mean you are actually using RAID. It could also just be how the driver identifies itself, not really a concern. You could try tapping the drives near the connectors while it's running to see if you can trigger the problem, if so it points to a dodgy connection. Don't get carried away though, drives are sensitive to G-shock so just tap gently. And just mild curiosity, why Nero? could you not just have burnt CD's from windows, the functionality for data disks is built into explorer and music disks can be burnt from media player.	dugimodo (138)
1415966	2016-02-19 00:03:00	Hi guys, thanks for the replies. I will check some of those things over the weekend. @Speedy, how do I update these drivers? Would these be from the MB manufacturers site, or the HDD? @1101, I didn't hear a 'click' when I put the cables in, but I think they are already the ones with the clips. I have already turned off the HD power save a few weeks back, the problem continued. Was worth a try, yes. @dugimodo. Yes perhaps the next step is trying a new cable. It may have just been the cable was loose and not pushed in far enough before this. It seems very difficult to reach the other end of the cable. Do all IT technicians have small hands? Haha.. Re Nero, yes I know it's a bit bloated for a simple task. But I like the interface, I already had this older version on CD, plus it has two featured I want that I don;'t think are in the media player CD burner. I collect some live audience-recorded concert recordings ('ROIO') - so when I burn them I need the no gap between tracks option, plus I use the CDTEXT option. I don't think either of those settings are available in the media player version.	Chikara (5139)
1415967	2016-02-19 00:16:00	Intel. Or the mobo maker's site	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1415968	2016-02-19 11:51:00	OK, I checked the Asus's support page (MB), and also Intels support page, I can't find any driver updates available compared to what I already have. I found a old SATA cable off my last machine, so I have switched that over and now I will see if the problem repeats or not. If it still does, I'm starting to run out of ideas, so fingers crossed. Question - are there different 'speeds' of SATA cable? The one I put in, came from a machine built in 2009.	Chikara (5139)
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