A technician has added an external hard drive to a personal computer. The hard drive is powered on, but the computer does not see the new hard disk. Which of the following is the FIRST thing the techn

The question states the hard drive is powered on, indicating the power cable is likely connected and working correctly.

While OS compatibility can be an issue, the very first step is to ensure physical connectivity before investigating software-related issues.

Hard drive firmware revision issues are uncommon for initial detection failures and are usually checked after basic connectivity has been established.

Since the hard drive is powered on, the power cable is likely functioning. The next most common reason for a computer not detecting a new external hard drive is a loose, faulty, or incorrectly connected data cable. Checking the data cable ensures that the communication pathway between the drive and the computer is established, which is essential for detection.