Default HD no longer bootable after adding a SSD

AddRAM · 15 Jul 2014

Installing from the Recovery discs may be the cause of it, not positive on that.

But you are carrying over any problems from the HD.

Disconnect the Hard Drive, just run windows off the ssd to see.

I would always recommend doing a clean install.

Have your network (ethernet) drivers on hand before you start.

If your computer came with a driver cd it will be on that.

If not, go to the motherboard manufacturers website to download them.

You say you`ve been living with this since 2011 ?

Not acceptable

caballo · 15 Jul 2014

Yeah

I will follow the instructions in BSOD Support Forum and gather logs and will make a new post about help with BSOD.

The SSD hasn't asked me for windows activation since 2011 :)
Maybe because it is installed on the same MB?
I just booted from SSD with HD disconnected and it came up fine :)

Next I powered up with both SSD and HD connected and booted from SSD and everything was fine too :)
Next I powered up with both SSD and HD connected and booted from HD and everything was fine too :)

Here is the disk mgmt screenshot with both SSD and HD connected and booted from HD:

Edit: The only inconvenience currently is that I have to go to the boot menu every time after powering up, otherwise I get the message
“Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key”

AddRAM · 15 Jul 2014

You shouldn`t be getting that message, set a default operating system to start and set the timeout to like 5 seconds.

Using EasyBCD.

EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

Do you get this message with just the ssd installed or just the hd installed ?

caballo · 15 Jul 2014

No, I get it only when both drives are connected.
I already have EasyBCD installed on SSD. I will try configuring it now.

gregrocker · 16 Jul 2014

Only the actual partition booting Win7 and labeled System should be marked Active. If the System Reserved is booting both OS's then it alone should be marked Active. Check now if SSD is independently bootable by unplugging System HD.

If not with other drive unplugged Mark SSD Win7 Partition Active , then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until it boots to make the SSD independently bootable. Then you can plug other drive back in, set preferred first HD to boot in BIOS setup, trigger other drive to boot using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key.

If you don't like this arrangement, install EasyBCD to primary Win7, add the other to Dual Boot menu as Brian suggested. This also keeps both independently bootable since each has a System drive.

caballo · 16 Jul 2014

Greg,

I verified yesterday - both drives - SSD and HD are independently bootable.
I am worried about running Startup Repair - if something will get messed up and the drive will become unbootable.

SSD was the primary boot device in BIOS Boot Menu-->Hard Disk Drive Priority
I changed it to HD. Now I am no longer getting the "Reboot and select proper boot device...." message.
It is now booting from HD by default. I am able to boot from SSD by going to boot menu (F12) after powering up the machine.

Thanks for your advice.

gregrocker · 16 Jul 2014

Startup Repair will not mess up anything, only check that everything is in order.

But if each drive is independently bootable then you don't need it. Just use the BIOS to boot your choice of OS's, or install EasyBCD to your Primary Win7 to add the other one, giving them unique names in the Easy Add OS Entry tab.

If you already have Easy and it doesn't work correctly as you want, delete the old listings to create new. This has worked countless times.

caballo · 16 Jul 2014

Thanks, Greg. I will do that.

AddRAM · 19 Jul 2014

caballo said:

Greg,

I verified yesterday - both drives - SSD and HD are independently bootable.
I am worried about running Startup Repair - if something will get messed up and the drive will become unbootable.

SSD was the primary boot device in BIOS Boot Menu-->Hard Disk Drive Priority
I changed it to HD. Now I am no longer getting the "Reboot and select proper boot device...." message.
It is now booting from HD by default. I am able to boot from SSD by going to boot menu (F12) after powering up the machine.

Thanks for your advice.

Excellent news