Can only shut down when DVD drive is mounted or in failsafe mode


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #1

    Can only shut down when DVD drive is mounted or in failsafe mode


    I have recently purchased an SSD drive (SANDISK Extreme, works like a charm) and along with that a second hdd drive caddy for my old hdd instead of my DVD drive.

    My laptop is an ASUS K53sv with i7 2630QM Processor ASUS - Notebooks- ASUS K53SV

    Both SSD and old hdd in drive caddy works perfectly, except that I can only shut down or restart when in failsafe mode.
    It doesnt matter if I boot from my old harddisk with windows 7 Home premium that used to work fine, or from my new one with Windows 7 pro, Google Chrome, Microsoft Essentials, updates and drivers, and nothing else installed. Both Windows are 64 bit.


    If I replace the drive caddy and hdd with the old DVD drive it shuts down just fine, no matter what hard disk I boot from.

    After having shut down running programs it just goes black, but doesnt power off. I have to do that manually by cutting power, when both hdds are in.

    I have not had the "Windows was not shut down properly" error message upon reboot, nor any subsequent errors.

    I have a few (maybe far-fetched) theories as to what causes the problem, but mostly guesswork.

    1. There is a defect in the hard drive caddy that only shows up when I shut down (strange error but not impossible)

    2. There is some part of the ordinary shut down process that expects a hdd and DVD drive and blacks out if it doesnt get it.

    3. The BIOS expects a hdd and DVD drive and blacks out if it doesnt get it. (but why does it work in failsafe mode)

    4. The failsafe mode approach to shutting down is different from the ordinary shut down proces.

    I really hope there are some knowledgeable person that will solve this problem for me, as I really dont know what to do.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #2

    When you say fail safe mode, you mean fail safe defaults through the BIOS, correct?


    Have you tried resetting the BIOS hardware/software connections after you load optimized/setup defaults in the BIOS?
    1. Shut down and turn off the computer.
    2. Unplug the computer from the wall or surge protector (then remove the battery if it is a laptop).
    3. "Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station, disconnect
      cables to printers or devices such as external monitors, USB memory sticks or SD cards, headset or external speakers, mouse or auxiliary keyboard, turn off WIFI and Bluetooth wireless devices." (Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues HP Pavilion dv5000 Notebook PC series - HP Customer Care (United States - English))
    4. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds. This closes the circuit and ensures all
      power from components is drained to clear the software connections between the BIOS
      and hardware and clear any corruption in the temporary memory.
    5. (If it is a laptop, plug the battery back into the laptop and then) Plug the computer back into the wall. Do not reconnect any unnecessary peripherals; monitor, keyboard,
      and mouse should suffice and be the only peripherals reconnected.
    6. Turn it on to reinitialize the software connections between the BIOS and hardware


    Did you try power cycling the SSD with all other drives removed?
    • The following steps should be carried out and take ~1 hour to complete.
      1. Power off the system.
      2. Remove all power supplies (ac adapter then battery for laptop, ac adapter for desktop)
      3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and drain all components of power.
      4. Reconnect all power supplies (battery then ac adapter for laptop, ac adapter for desktop)
      5. Turn on the system and enter the BIOS (see your manual for the steps to enter the BIOS)
      6. Let the computer remain in the BIOS for 20 minutes.
      7. Follow steps 1-3 and physically remove the SSD from the system by disconnecting the cables for a desktop or disconnecting the drive from the junction for a laptop.
      8. Leave the drive disconnected for 30 seconds to let all power drain from it.
      9. Replace the drive connection(s) and then do steps 4-8 again.
      10. Repeat steps 1-4.
      11. Start your computer normally and run Windows.


      The above steps were a result of: Why did my SSD "disappear" from my system? - Crucial Community

      While that may not be your drive, a power cycle should be the same on all SSD drives. See how the system responds after the SSD power cycle.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi writhziden. I appreciate the input.

    After trying your procedures (didnt work), I came accross this thread Asus K53sv hdd in optical drivebay caddy problem which identifies the problem as a bug in the particular bios version.

    At least this means I dont have to spend a lot of time trying to fix it. Now I just need to decide how Il cope with the error until a bios upgrade arrives. If ever.

    thanks again though
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #4

    You're welcome. That is a bit of a bummer.

    Let us know if it is ever resolved.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Win 7 Home Premium x64
       #5

    I had exactly the same problem with my A53SV/K53SV. I bought the caddy on ebay here, same model here.
    Notice in the pictures that there's a little switch next to the SATA connector inside the caddy. The description says that it is for "incompatible devices", nothing more, there came no manual with it...
    I didn't even notice the switch, i bought the caddy more or less accidentally.
    Afterwards i realized that most of the caddys on the internet do not have this switch.

    Before trying it, i updated my BIOS from (the latest official v320) to the (unreleased, leaked) v324 without any success. Only then i discovered the switch, flipped it and.....it worked! Shut down, restart, hibernate! Until today I couldn't find out what that thing actually does. But it works for my notebook.
    Anyone else, who can verify it??
    Good luck trying it!
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:58.
Find Us