W7/Linux Mint dual boot upgade

I'm using a different USB keyboard but it's going into the pc on the same USB port. Is it worth trying it in another port?

As was suggested earlier, I bet it's the USB K/B issue, are you able to use any other keys, other than the arrow keys to select different HDDs?

Not that I know of. I'll try it in another USB port.

I've put it into a port at the back of the monitor. I'll try the F12 options again BRB

Here's the next step, the 500GB partition/HDD needs marked Inactive, open an elevated command window and use this outline to mark that HDD/partition as inactive; if you have any questions about this feel free to ask.

click to enlarge

Well, some success Putting the keyboard through a different USB port has restored keyboard functionality. I chose drive 1 but it wouldn't boot. I got a message saying cannot boot need system disk.
As I say, maybe Linux got wiped last night. However I'm relieved that I can now do a boot from disk. Maybe I should start over and install Ubuntu on that drive.
What do you reckon?

Well done, Martin suggested it may be the K/B, well done Martin.


Did you see my post above?

Not sure how to go about that Ted. I know how to do an elevated command prompt. Do you mean copy what you have put in except applied to my 500GB drive?

Something else weird. I just opened Disk Management again and the numbers have changed. Disk 1 is now the 500gb disk. what's going on?

Are you sure you used the one-time menu and not the BIOS to change the boot order?