Drive is intermittently disappearing

[JimAndrews]

My 2017 ASUS computer running Windows 10 is such that my E drive is intermittently disappearing. I've checked it with chkdsk and it's fine. I've also checked it with the defragmenter and it isn't fragmented at all. 

To get the drive back, I have to reboot. Sometimes I can do Restart. Other times, I have to Shut down and then restart. 

When my E drive disappears, I get this message:

Intel Rapid Storage Technology
SATA available disk: Removed

I have a C drive, an internal D drive, an internal E drive, a CD-ROM F drive, and an external G drive. 

Sometimes when I plug my phone in to a USB port, it appears and disappears every minute or so. Which seems like a similar problem only faster. I don't think the E drive ever reappears, however, until I reboot.

[Esteban_D_Intel]

04787384

Hello JimAndrews,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.  

To better assist you I would like to gather the following information from you:

• Please provide the model of your system?
• Were any changes made prior to this issue?
• Please provide your OS version? Is it the latest?

Please run the following tool and attach the reports generated.  

Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) download link.

1. Open the application and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. 
2. By default, Intel® SSU will take you to the "Summary View".  
3. Click on the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View".  
4. To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save".  

Also, please run and attach the System Reports for Intel® Rapid Storage Technology.

Check the steps provided in the link above.

Esteban D. 

Intel Technical Support Technician  

[JimAndrews]

Thanks, Esteban_D_Intel, for your prompt reply!

"Please provide the model of your system"
My System Information says 
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
System Model: M32CD_A_F_K20CD_K31CD
System Type: x64-based PC

"Were any changes made prior to this issue?"
No

"Please provide your OS version? Is it the latest?"
I have auto update on, so yes, it's the latest. My System Information says:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version: 10.0.18363 Build 18363

[Esteban_D_Intel]

Helo JimAndrews,

Thank you so for the additional information provided.

Based on the description and after checking the reports, I don’t consider that this behavior is directly related to the Rapid Storage Technology Software. 

This could be more related to the storage device or even the SATA controller of your board.

In this situation, I would recommend checking with your computer manufacturer to make sure that you have the latest SATA controller and check a possible hardware failure of the drive.

Please check the following link to check your Computer Manufacturer Support Website.

That being said, we strongly recommend checking with them and hopefully the issue will be resolved.

If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer being monitored  

Esteban D.  

Intel Technical Support Technician