Solved System won't boot from SSD, please help.

[Rhirtix]

Physically disconnect the old HD.
Make the SSD, disk0 & first HD boot in BIOS.

View attachment 164047

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

View attachment 164048

Refit old Hd when Windiws 7 is booting OK.

View attachment 164049

If you can delete the second Windows 7 (not default) entry at the boot tab of msconfig and you're happy with the way things are, that decision is entirely up to you, if it works (for you) don't fix it.

​

No need to REINSTALL.

Physically disconnect WD750, WD1500, & WD640.
&
delete the second Windows 7.

Also,The HD needs to be pluged in to the first SATA port on MOBO & first HD boot in BIOS.

The SATA ports are listed as follows:

SATA 3 SATA 1 SATA III
SATA 4 SATA 2 SATA III

SATA 1-4 are SATA II.

I have the SSD connected to the top SATA III port.

 

[theog]

System boot files are install to the first HD.

 

[gregrocker]

System boot files are installed to the first partition which is marked Active.

It is always the Active flag which determines where the System boot files go, unless Win7 is being installed fresh to a target partition with no preceding Active partitions. In this case the installer will flag the install partition Active itself.

Have you decided if you want to keep Win7 on F, or clean reinstall it to the SSD with no other HD plugged in to interfere? What is the exact problem existing now then?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) will (re)create the "System" boot files to the first partition on the HDD / SSD that is detected by Windows as Disk 0 it does not matter if a partition is marked as active on Disk 1 or 2 or whatever, it will not work.

 

[gregrocker]

I just repaired Win7 on DISK3 making sure no preceding Active partitions existed and without unplugging any HD's. The System boot files remain on DISK3 Partition 1.

 

[Rhirtix]

Hey guys. I figured I'd start over with all of this as I'm getting a bit confused, honestly. Below I've written what my process and goal are.


Here's what I'm doing at the moment:

I have disconnected all HDDs (750gb (old boot), 640gb, and 1.5tb (backup)). All of those drives are SATA II and formerly connected to the SATA 1, 2, and 3 ports.

Currently, my SSD is the only connected drive, and it’s plugged into the first SATA III port on the mobo. I just ran DISKPART on the device, running the following operations: clean all, partition primary, format/label, and active. (The drive is still formatting at the moment.)

Once DISKPART operations have completed, I intend to install a brand new copy of Windows 7 on the device. After that, I’ll boot into the SSD, leaving all other HDDs disconnected. I’m going to fully update W7 and then reinstall all the applications that I use and configure them. I’m also going to check in diskmgmt that the SSD is indeed Disk 0 / C: drive.

After all that…I’m going to reconnect my 750gb HDD, which is the one that included the only other bootable copy of W7 on the machine. There are just a few apps on there that I need to transfer over. (It’s easier to copy them over than to reinstall the entire thing.)

Next, I plan on rebooting and initializing/formatting the 750gb HDD, pending everything on the SSD primary is working as intended.

The 1.5tb HDD has an image of my 750gb drive, which I’m keeping solely as a backup in case none of these operations execute favorably. If everything is working correctly, I’m then going to install the 1.5tb HDD into the SATA II 1 port, format it, and create a backup/image of the SSD onto it.

I’m waiting on an RMA from WD to arrive for my second 640gb HDD. Once it arrives, I’m going to create a RAID 0 with both 640gb drives in the SATA II 2, 3 slots.

The 750gb drive, at this point, will then just be a backup drive in a box in storage.

Can I get some verification that this workflow will yield the results that I’m trying to achieve?

I can’t thank you all enough for your help – thank you!

 

[gregrocker]

You cannot move programs over, just their installer to reinstall.

Here are tips for getting a perfect reinstall - use the ones which apply to you: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[theog]

I personally would stay away from RAID, as it seems to more problems than it is worth.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I personally would stay away from RAID, as it seems to more problems than it is worth.

. +1

 

[theog]

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) will (re)create the "System" boot files to the first partition on the HDD / SSD that is detected by Windows as Disk 0 it does not matter if a partition is marked as active on Disk 1 or 2 or whatever, it will not work.

I just repaired Win7 on DISK3 making sure no preceding Active partitions existed and without unplugging any HD's. The System boot files remain on DISK3 Partition 1.

To be 100% sure, system boot files are installed to the OS HD, you need to have only one HD plug in, when doing a install or Startup Repair.

 

[Rhirtix]

I personally would stay away from RAID, as it seems to more problems than it is worth.

Really? What are the common problems experienced with it?

I am planning on backing up the SSD and RAID 0 drive to my 1.5tb HDD using Acronis True Home Image 2011. That software has been good to me so far.

 

[Rhirtix]

Well, I've got everything up and running as intended.

SSD is the primary, active, boot C: drive. Plugged in via SATA III.

My 1.5tb HDD is SATA 1 (SATA II).

I opted not to go with RAID 0 and instead decided to use my 750gb HDD - plugged in to SATA 2 (SATA II).

Thanks so much for the help to all of you. Will give out +1 reps when I have a bit more time.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Good to see you're getting it sorted and thanks for the update.

 

[theog]

Well done.

 

[AndyHu92]

I am unable to go to Diskpart, please help. My asus just reinstall everything but when it goes back to the starting states, it just loops to the instalation state for a few minutes and starting states and over and over. PLEASE HELp

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, Boot into BIOS setup to see if there is an EFI Boot Disk in BIOS Boot order. If so remove it, set DVD drive first to boot. If EFI BIOS also set to Legacy BIOS.

Then boot into installer, at first screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT

Now click Install Now to Clean Install Windows 7 to partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail. Follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Boot into the installer you have prepared from Steps 1 and 2. Press Shift

 

[AndyHu92]

I'm sorry. I had a hard time analyzing. I'm a beginner. I'm sorry. So after checking CD drive to first book. I Press Shift + F10 right after it reboot to the Asus logo? and then I type in the whole code

"DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT"

I'm sorry. Please explain.

 

[gregrocker]

It couldn't be more clear that you are to boot into the installer (DVD) to the first screen before pressing Shift + F10.

 

[AndyHu92]

I press shift +f10 but I still get the message of "Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key."

Should I install the recovery disc and reboot? because that "message" repeats...

 

[AndyHu92]

The only two place that allowed to go without giving me that message are 1) f2 - My BIOS, where my UEFI Boot and PXE rom is disable. My optical drive is my Boot Option #1 and my Samsung SSD 883 is my second. 2) f9 to window setup [EMS Enabled], which therefore I enter f8 to Advanced Boot options. where I have "Safe Mode", "Safe mode with command prompt." I also saw Directory services restore mode."

Again, please help. I can't go to command box with Shift + f9.