won't boot with external USB attached

OK so the workaround isn't too bad, but still


I have a toshiba 3Tb usb hdd for backup. Like the title says the boot hangs if it's attached. I just changed machine and reinstalled windows, and it still happens. It hangs just after the Starting Windows message appear and just before the pretty coloured dots start waving around. Any ideas?


Thanks

Hi shimself,


The HDD is too big for the Windows 32-bit platform. Windows 32-bit limits you to a 2TB storage device. That limitation is removed on 64-bit editions of the OS. The workaround is to re-format the drive as 2TB capacity, but then you would have 1TB of inaccessible storage space.

iko22 said:

Hi shimself,


The HDD is too big for the Windows 32-bit platform. Windows 32-bit limits you to a 2TB storage device. That limitation is removed on 64-bit editions of the OS. The workaround is to re-format the drive as 2TB capacity, but then you would have 1TB of inaccessible storage space.

it's win 7 pro 64 bit. Nice idea thanks. (To prove it I also have a 3T internal hdd)

shimself said:

it's win 7 pro 64 bit. Nice idea thanks. (To prove it I also have a 3T internal hdd)

your forum profile states that you have Windows 32-bit


Perhaps you could update your System Specs in your User Profile?

Thanks.

iko22 said:

your forum profile states that you have Windows 32-bit


Perhaps you could update your System Specs in your User Profile?

Thanks.

done sorry.

(I would have added the laptops as well but it only seems to want one system)

As I understood, the computer hangs during startup when the USB 3TB is attached.
Does it work normally if you attach it after boot is completed?

Open device manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

Megahertz07 said:

As I understood, the computer hangs during startup when the USB 3TB is attached.
Does it work normally if you attach it after boot is completed?

Open device manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

yes it does. the workaround is unplug if rebooting, then plug in once login screen apears. As a new install with tons of windows updates running when you least expect it it's been a nuisance


and device manager has no alerts


Thanks for the help

Please attach an image of Disk Management (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) of the external disk as Jumanji did.
Expand the window and the columns so we can read them.

Hello @shimself

jumanji said:

Sorry @iko22 , that statement is not correct. I have a Seagate Expansion 3TB external ( Desktop,) initialised as GPT) plugged into Windows Ultimate 32 bit Desktop at boot.





Megahertz07 is on the right track .

sorry I goofed a bit earlier , and misconstrued my facts in my earlier reply.

Please follow jumanji and Megahertz07 excellent example on this matter.