"Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device," etc. Error - Just Sometimes

Hi, guys.

A short while ago I posted about my 750 GB WD HDD that was giving me a Bootmgr is Missing error. Well, I don't get that error now after using KillDisk to wipe the drive clean, but after reinstalling Windows 7 and all my programs today, I got the infamous "Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device..." error.

I've actually gone through the Windows 7 reinstallation process three or four times in as many days to try and rid myself of the error, but it appears I'd say on two out of every ten restarts, only on this 750 GB drive, and it isn't permanent. If I do a control, alt, delete, Windows starts normally. I don't know if this means anything, but sometimes before the error message, I see "Matrix Storage Manager" appearing and disappearing quickly. Startup repair using a Windows 7 repair disc says no problems could be detected and my installation of Windows 7 is listed. I have checked for loose cables. No problems. I have run chkdsk and the WD diagnostics tool (long method). It passes. My HDD is set as the first boot device, and the DVD-RAM is second.

When I restarted the PC, I noticed on the HP splash screen that it said to press F9 for diagnostics. I did that. As you'll see, it came back with a BIOHD-2 error (no drives detected). The DVD-RAM and HDD work (other than the error message) and are detected in the BIOS, so this sure is puzzling. After this, I powered down the PC, opened it up, checked the cables, and then removed the 750 GB drive and reinstalled my 2 TB drive, powered the PC up, and ran the test again. It passed. Based on this, can I assume that the 750 GB drive is close to failing? It just seems odd why all the other diagnostics say it is fine and the HP diagnostics give the error.

Check in BIOS setup to see if HD is detected. What is the SATA controller setting? Is there more than one storage controller?

Test your HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, followed by Disk Check run from the installer's Command Line in System Recovery Options.

If necessary format a full disk partition marked Active to try install and do the DIsk Check, using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

gregrocker said:

Check in BIOS setup to see if HD is detected. What is the SATA controller setting? Is there more than one storage controller?

Test your HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, followed by Disk Check run from the installer's Command Line in System Recovery Options.

If necessary format a full disk partition marked Active to try install and do the DIsk Check, using Step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

The HD is detected in BIOS. How to I find out the SATA controller setting? Where do I check to see if there is more than one storage controller?

Look under storage or HD section of the BIOS setup menu's .

There are other steps given to check the HD. Do those now.

If you'd posted your system specs in the bottom left corner of your posts someone might have already checked for you.

As I said in my first post, I already ran WD's diagnostic on the drive. It passed an extended scan. I've already done chkdsk, and it, too, passed. The SATA controller setting is set to RAID. There are three settings: RAID, IDE, and AHCI.

Change it to AHCI to try install. If that fails try IDE.

Make sure you are following the Best Practices for reinstall in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Unplug all other HDs and peripherals. Pay attention to how drivers are handled in Win7 because this is not XP.

Speaking of drivers, let me mention something. During this whole process, I downloaded and installed the Windows 7 driver for my Brother PT-1950 labeller. Once I did that, it said I must restart for the changes to take effect. It was when I restarted at that time that I first got the error message. Prior to that, the Windows 7 install and reinstallation of all my programs had gone beautifully. I'm almost tempted to reinstall Windows 7 again sans the Brother PT-1950 driver. I will try the ACHI option. I don't understand why it was set to RAID, as it is my understanding that RAID is used for multiple hard drives installed all at once. I only use one drive at a time.

Let us know how it goes after setting it to AHCI.

On some machines the RAID setting accomodates both RAID and AHCI. But on those machines you often see there are only two options, RAID and IDE. Setting it to RAID doesn't necessarily mean you're using RAID, but it is ready at that point to be set up that way. (And you're right about RAID being for multiple disks.)

Rather than a reinstall you might consider reverting to a prior restore point (prior to the installation of that driver you're concerned about):

System Restore

After restoring or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 wait to see what driver optional Windows Updates provides after enabling Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware