Member Avatar for grandmagail

Hi, I am new to this forum. Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but it sounds like you guys are hard core techs and I figured someone here would know how to fix my problem.:icon_lol:

Somehow, my hard drive name changed to the name of an mp3 I connected over a year ago for my grandson to download songs. It shows up in several places with the name Samsung SP1230N.

Does anyone know how I can change it back?

Thanks for your help.

Gail

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by RueB2sDe

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Generated

Quick summary and what to check next (clarifies the replies from , and )

Windows can show two different names for a disk: a user-set volume label (what Explorer shows) and the hardware identification string that the drive firmware reports to the OS (what Device Manager and system tools show). If the volume label looks normal but system utilities show a model string you don’t expect, that is usually just the firmware ID and not something you need to “fix.”

To confirm exactly what Windows sees, run these from an elevated prompt or PowerShell:

wmic diskdrive get model,serialnumber,caption,size
wmic logicaldisk get name,volumename
Get-PhysicalDisk | Format-List FriendlyName,Model,SerialNumber,Manufacturer

Those will show the physical drive model/serial and the volume label separately. Check Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) for the volume label and partition layout, and Device Manager -> disk drives -> Properties -> Details for the device instance if you need the exact hardware ID.

If the concern is drive health or an unintended swap/clone, run a S.M.A.R.T. check or the manufacturer diagnostic tool and look in Event Viewer (System log filtered for disk/ntfs) for errors. A filesystem check (for example chkdsk C: /f) will address corruption if present.

Changing what Explorer displays is simple (volume label), but changing the firmware-reported model string is not practical and not necessary unless the disk is failing or incorrectly identified by the system. If the model/serial numbers match what you expect, no further action is required. If numbers disagree or you see errors, contact the drive manufacturer or a qualified technician before attempting advanced registry or firmware edits.

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Member Avatar for DenisOxon

Hi,

Start windows explorer, assuming it is your C drive you wish to change, then right click on c drive and you will find name in dialog box.

However, if you have any directories shared, I'm not sure if they will be affected, of any thing else will be affected if you change drive name.

Member Avatar for grandmagail

It has the correct name in Windows Explorer (Hard Drive C:). But in device manager and everywhere else, the other name appears. Even when I run Belarc Advisor, it shows the Samsung name for the hard drive.

Gail

Member Avatar for DenisOxon

Hi Gail,

I have done a search on Google for Samsung SP1230N and it is a make and model of hard drive. So it sounds as if the name is correct. So don't worry, nothing to change.

Denis

Member Avatar for grandmagail

Hi Dennis,

Thank you so much for replying. This is so strange. It did not have that name previously. I somehow connected it to my grandson's old mp3 player. And why would a Samsung hard drive be part of a Compaq Presario system? Oh well, thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

Gail

Member Avatar for DenisOxon

Hi,

Compaq don't make hard drives, but Samsung do, along with various other companies, hence you find their name in device manager.

Hope this makes it clear.

Member Avatar for RueB2sDe

Welcome to the Microsoft Idea of Individuality for PC's. The Operation system allows you to name your C drive. This is a very normal thing that has been around since Windows 3.11 I think.

If you right click on the C drive and choose Rename. Restart you'll see that it changes.
No worries to change it to speficiations. The motherboard still knows what type of Hard Drive you have.

Hope that helps.

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