Installed Win7 with 1 SSD and 1 HDD plugged in, BIG mistake, need help

fsunate · 31 Mar 2015

I've searched the forums and realize now that it was a huge mistake installing the OS while both new drives were plugged in. Windows did an update to service pack 1 and now it will not load past the windows screen. I've unplugged the HDD where the OS is not installed and then it will boot and load windows. I'm assuming in order to have use of both drives that I will need to do a clean install on the SSD while the HDD is NOT plugged in. Once that is done I'm assuming I would then plug the HDD back in and make sure boot is set to SSD in the bios. IF that works correctly, then I assume that I would need to try to use diskpart in order to clean since the MBD was installed on the HDD and that diskpart is the only way to clear that? EDIT: maybe not the only way, but the easiest means I have available to me.

SSD is on sata 0
HDD is on sata 1

I have no ~~information~~ data on the drives that I ~~need~~ wish to keep, so wiping them is not a problem. I just need to know the proper way of completing this.

Thanks in advance for any help.

gregrocker · 31 Mar 2015

If it will boot when you unplug the HDD then have you tried setting the SSD to boot first in BIOS setup? This should cut the HDD out from booting and interfering.

Please try that now and post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image.

If the system will not boot at all with the hard drive plugged in then move the data off of it and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command, repartition it in Disk mgmt as a data drive, make sure it isn't set to boot first.

fsunate · 31 Mar 2015

SSD is set to boot first in bios

Windows did an update to service pack 1 and now it will not load past the windows screen. I've unplugged the HDD where the OS is not installed and then it will boot and load windows.

so it will boot with the SSD where the OS is installed, but not with both drives plugged in.

fsunate · 31 Mar 2015

Found another post that was 873 days old, going to try This once I get home.

gregrocker · 31 Mar 2015

Why? I told you exactly what to do.

If the SSD boots on its own, holds the System Active flags on C or System Reserved partition, then it doesn't need repair.

What is interfering is the hard drive, which requires wiping with Diskpart Clean Command
to clear boot code which could be the only thing blocking the SSD boot if it will boot without the HD.

fsunate · 31 Mar 2015

We're saying the same thing, sort of. In order for me to do what you're saying then the HDD has to be plugged in, but what I'm saying is that it will not boot with it plugged in and that the SSD has always been set to boot first. So what I will try, based on the information from the older post and what you've currently suggested, is to use the OS install disk to get to a command prompt by using shift-f10 at the language screen to be able to run diskpart. there I will select the HDD and perform a clean. Assuming I can get that far.

What I didn't understand before is that I didn't need to re-install windows, now I do thanks to your most recent post, and that will save me time, assuming that this will work.

AddRAM · 31 Mar 2015

Please post a shot of Disk Management if possible, unless you are re installing now. Thank You :)

gregrocker · 31 Mar 2015

Yes, I understand you cannot run Diskpart Clean Command from Win7, which is why it shows in Step 1 how to access Command Prompt at Startup - Windows 7 Help Forums.

I would unplug the SSD during the operation so there's no chance it will be chosen instead.

fsunate · 31 Mar 2015

unplugged ssd, ran OS install disk, used shift-f10, typed diskpart then enter, and now it sits at a cursor, no line shwing DISKPART> EDIT: after 10 mins it showed up

gregrocker · 31 Mar 2015

I would do a Disk Check after wiping the hard drive.

If it shows problems then I'd also run the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.