Adding HDD with data leads to pause on Starting Windows page?

[current]

Hi all,

if I try to install a HDD that has data on then a startup pause occurs for about 20 seconds on the Starting Windows page. The only way Ive found to 'get around' this is to format a drive on that machine and then windows starts ok again. Obviously this is far from ideal and any help resolving this welcomed.

Win 7 ultimate 64
I5 3570k
Gigabyte Z77X-D3H
8gb Corsair Vengeance RAM
OCZ vertex 3 120gb SSD OS drive
Sandisk Extreme 120gb
WD 2x 2tb drives
Seagate 3tb drive

Latest updates and bios on OS and components.

 

[gregrocker]

What you want to get rid of potential interfering code in the data HD boot sector is Diskpart Clean Command and not a mere format.

You can also post back a screenshot of the maximized DIsk Mgmt drive map and listings, using SNipping tool in Start Menu, so we can take a peek.

 

[current]

Thanks for the reply but I think we have crossed wires.
The drives I try to add - that is ANY new or previously used ones, but NOT ones with OS/boot on just music etc. - require a format to 'solve' the windows pausing situation?

 

[gregrocker]

What that often means is there is conflicting boot code on the boot sector of the second HD which is interfering with the booting of the OS HD.

To solve this you may need to wipe the HD with Clean Command, not just format it. Formatting doesn't do the job needed.

There might be other hardware related causes, too.

 

[current]

None of the drives have boot sectors - all just data no OS. Uploaded disk management snap...

 

[gregrocker]

Every HD has a boot sector. If it had an OS at one time it can have bad code remaining which causes it to interfere with another HD's ability to boot, even the BIOS to post.

The problem can also be hardware related, having to do with the cables or connections, or the physical condition of the HD.

 

[current]

Thanks for cont. replies.
None of the drives had OS on at any time. I've tried other storage drives with just data from another pc (fairly new ones) and I get the same results. In fact, as I recall, I part magiced current installed ones, so shouldnlt be conflicts for other drives added?
Also tried moving drives to dif inputs and same result - whether it was on the intel bank or marvel. Physically moving the drives has the same result.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Are you hot swapping the drives?

 

[whs]

It is possible that those HDDs are in stop status and need time to startup when you refer to a folder/file on them.

I have this problem with a couple of internal HDDs that contain only data (my OS is on a SSD). My tower is sitting on my desk and I can hear the HDDs starting.

Check yours whether you hear some startup sounds (sounds like a jet at the airport that is being cranked up).

 

[current]

Thanks for replying.
No hot swapping.
Not a startup issue.
The machine is always off when I install a hdd and when started system up I always go to bios to check it's visible. But always same result; bios and/or Win' screen sits for 20 sec's before getting to welcome screen.
Tried putting HDDs in another machine to make sure not dodgy drive.
Maddening stuff.

 

[whs]

I think the BIOS delay is pretty normal. The BIOS checks all devices to make sure that they are operational - that takes some time if you have a lot of devices. My BIOS phase on this system (a Dell 530) is longer than the Win7 boot time - go figure. I noticed that only after I installed the OCZ Vertex. Maybe that is the culprit.

 

[current]

Hi,
whs - bios usually whizzes by and so does Win screen.
gregrocker - DM screenshot posted on my 3rd post.