All of a sudden needing to unplug HDDS when installing windows?


  1. Posts : 110
    Windows 10 Home
       #1

    All of a sudden needing to unplug HDDS when installing windows?


    After countless years of re-installing windows with never needing to remove the second HDD from my system, I finally get a new PC and the entire story changes. Error code 0x80300024.

    So I get my new PC with windows 8.1 preinstalled. I purchase a fresh copy of Windows 7. I have 3 internal mechanical HDDS and one solid state drive. Subsequently, I install windows 7 to the ssd without an issue. I then decide to reinstall 7 once again, but this time, I get the error that windows cannot be installed.

    Mind you, I have never EVER gotten this error on my 5 year old desk top pc.

    So after tirelessly searching forums, I came to the conclusion that I needed to disconnect all HDDS prior to installing windows, then it installs without a hitch. What gives? I didn't have to do any HDD disconnects when installing windows 7 the first time, and never needed to disconnect anything when completing this task on my old pc, so why the sudden change? Will I have to deal with this crap with a windows 10 fresh install, too.

    I have never had to do this before on any system I have ever installed Windows that had multiple hdds.

    I do however, use imaging software, but sometimes, on a rare occasion, I might just want to use the DVD just in case or just because.
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  2. Posts : 110
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I mean, I've literally spent HOURS reading threads. I read ones saying it doesn't matter and ones saying the other drives must be connected.... but I barely seen ones indicating that windows will AUTOMATICALLY refuse the installation. At worst, I've just seen ones that he said windows might install some files on a second HDD, but nothing along the lines of not being able to reinstall the system at all.

    I have the Asus Z97 Deluxe btw.
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  3. Posts : 110
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Anyone? Bump
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  4. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #4

    Just what is it you want from us?
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  5. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #5

    If you want to reduce the likelihood of problems, disconnect all drives other than the one that will receive the installation.

    If you don't care about the likelihood of problems, don't disconnect all other drives. You could always use something other than Windows.

    That's the way it is.

    After a lot of thought, I've decided that some of the stuff on the Internet and in threads isn't true. It's a hard pill to swallow, but I'm trying to persevere.

    Not the way everybody would like it, but that's the way it is.

    You could just disable the drives in the BIOS or Device Manager if you want, but most people find it just as easy to pull the cables.
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  6. Posts : 110
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #6

    ignatzatsonic said:
    If you want to reduce the likelihood of problems, disconnect all drives other than the one that will receive the installation.

    If you don't care about the likelihood of problems, don't disconnect all other drives. You could always use something other than Windows.

    That's the way it is.

    After a lot of thought, I've decided that some of the stuff on the Internet and in threads isn't true. It's a hard pill to swallow, but I'm trying to persevere.

    Not the way everybody would like it, but that's the way it is.

    You could just disable the drives in the BIOS or Device Manager if you want, but most people find it just as easy to pull the cables.
    Thank you. Is disabling the drive in the BIO
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  7. Posts : 110
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #7

    ignatzatsonic said:
    If you want to reduce the likelihood of problems, disconnect all drives other than the one that will receive the installation.

    If you don't care about the likelihood of problems, don't disconnect all other drives. You could always use something other than Windows.

    That's the way it is.

    After a lot of thought, I've decided that some of the stuff on the Internet and in threads isn't true. It's a hard pill to swallow, but I'm trying to persevere.

    Not the way everybody would like it, but that's the way it is.

    You could just disable the drives in the BIOS or Device Manager if you want, but most people find it just as easy to pull the cables.
    Thank you. Does disabling the drive in the BIOS have the same exact affect as disconnecting the hard drives physically? As far as windows not being able to see that the HDDs are connected.
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  8. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    I would think it would be easier to just pull the SATA data cable out at the HDD. That's what I do.
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