Boot Sequence problem

[justalogin]

Hi

My recently bought store assembled computer is configured like this

I also have a Western Digital 500Gb Ext HDD which isn't permanently connected. My problem is that when the Ext HDD is connected the boot sequence automatically places the WD HDD as first boot device and I get a "NTLDR missing" message.No boot up. If I disconnect it, before boot up - no problems. Tried setting and resetting the boot sequence devices in the bios - problem continues. I'd like to leave the HDD connected during boot up - or not - but that should not affect my boot sequence, right ?

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi

My recently bought store assembled computer is configured like this

I also have a Western Digital 500Gb Ext HDD which isn't permanently connected. My problem is that when the Ext HDD is connected the boot sequence automatically places the WD HDD as first boot device and I get a "NTLDR missing" message.No boot up. If I disconnect it, before boot up - no problems. Tried setting and resetting the boot sequence devices in the bios - problem continues. I'd like to leave the HDD connected during boot up - or not - but that should not affect my boot sequence, right ?

Is the external USB, or ide in an enclosure? If Ide is it set to slave or cable detect?

Ken

 

[Petey7]

Yes, he tried to change the boot order from what I read. This seems insanely unlikely to me, but did you change the boot order with the drive plugged in. I don't think it would matter, but you never know.

 

[josef613]

Sorry, I misread his post, wasn't reading well

 

[justalogin]

My WD Ext HDD is USB2 connected.

When I try setting boot sequence with the drive connected my bios displays the Ext HDD and my DVD drive as the only available drives ! When the Ext drive is disconnected my internal HDD is displayed. There, I think, is where the problem is.

 

[A Guy]

In BIOS, on Boot screen:

Boot Device Priority: 1st Optical Drive, 2nd OS HDD, 3rd can be blank

Hard Disc Drives: 1st should be OS

Also, on a reach

Advanced tab: Legacy USB Support- Auto

A Guy

 

[justalogin]

In BIOS, on Boot screen:

Boot Device Priority: 1st Optical Drive, 2nd OS HDD, 3rd can be blank

Hard Disc Drives: 1st should be OS

Also, on a reach

Advanced tab: Legacy USB Support- Auto

A Guy

To set OS HDD as my 2nd boot device it has to show / be listed - which it doesn't when the Ext HDD is connected. That's my problem

 

[gregrocker]

Boot Device Priority: 1st Optical Drive, 2nd OS HDD, 3rd can be blank

Hard Disc Drives: 1st should be OS

WD needs to be taken out of the first slot under HD's, which may be on a different tab than Boot Order.

Look under HD's everywhere they are listed in BIOS, and you will find the place where they register when plugged in.

Somehow WD is registering in the first slot when plugged in and bumps the OS HD to second, so it needs to be moved to second slot there before you even deal with Boot Order.

Then you can set OS HD to be first HD to boot.

 

[justalogin]

Boot Device Priority: 1st Optical Drive, 2nd OS HDD, 3rd can be blank

Hard Disc Drives: 1st should be OS

WD needs to be taken out of the first slot under HD's, which may be on a different tab than Boot Order.

Look under HD's everywhere they are listed in BIOS, and you will find the place where they register when plugged in.

Somehow WD is registering in the first slot when plugged in and bumps the OS HD to second, so it needs to be moved to second slot there before you even deal with Boot Order.

Then you can set OS HD to be first HD to boot.

Yes that seems to be the problem. I have looked in the BIOS but did not find (or recognize) where or how this could be done.

 

[gregrocker]

Is your HD plugged into SATA 1?

From your manual, look at this setting in BIOS:


Read your Manual here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

 

[justalogin]

Is your HD plugged into SATA 1?

From your manual, look at this setting in BIOS:
View attachment 86650

Read your Manual here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

I downloaded the manual. Thanks for the pointer. Went to PnP setting like you said and changed it to YES from the NO it originally was. Still no joy.

Also about the SATA 1 - The manual says that the "Main" menu in my bios should look like this

But mine looks like this

So, as you can see my SATA listing doesn't show. How do I go forward from here?

 

[A Guy]

Is your HD plugged into SATA 1?

From your manual, look at this setting in BIOS:
View attachment 86650

Read your Manual here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

I downloaded the manual. Thanks for the pointer. Went to PnP setting like you said and changed it to YES from the NO it originally was. Still no joy.

Also about the SATA 1 - The manual says that the "Main" menu in my bios should look like this

But mine looks like this

So, as you can see my SATA listing doesn't show. How do I go forward from here?

That is odd, I have an Asus board and mine looks like the first shot. It's going on 1am, so I have to go sorry, I'll look for this thread tomorrow. A Guy

 

[gregrocker]

The hardware should still be covered under 1 year warranty and tech support, so I would call Asus and get help with the issue or RMA the board.

Others may spot the problem who are more familar with the board. You might even post it in Hardware to shake the tree a bit. Just be sure to specify the mobo in title to attract it's familars.

 

[justalogin]

I found a solution ! Eureka !

Apparently Asus have a policy of issuing frequent updates to their Bios'. I updated mine and voila my Internal HDD showed up along with the 6 SATA devices listing. After the update, I set my desired boot sequence and tried several restarts with my Ext HDD connected. No Problemo.

Now, for those of you who have an Asus MB. There is in the TOOLS Menu of the BIOS a utility called EZ Flash which is the preferred method of updating the BIOS. Follow the instructions below

Thanks to all of you who took the time and effort to put down your thoughts on the issue. It was while following your suggestions that finally stumbled upon the solution

 

[justalogin]

Have you tried this?

Cool ! how did you do that ?

Back to your question. Your search only throws up Pre Win7 Solutions. OS' BIOS and Motherboards have changed a lot since then. Besides I already got my solution - in the post just before yours.

 

[A Guy]

Such attitude at the end of a friendly thread....

Glad you got it justalogin. I don't usually suggest flashing the BIOS, but based on the screenshot, that was looking like the next step. I should go to bed more often as a fix, lol. Good going. A Guy

 

[justalogin]

Such attitude at the end of a friendly thread....

Glad you got it justalogin. I don't usually suggest flashing the BIOS, but based on the screenshot, that was looking like the next step. I should go to bed more often as a fix, lol. Good going. A Guy

Yeah ! Flashing the Bios seemed quite a daunting and potentially problematic step considering my (lack of) expertise in that area. But the EZ tool makes it very simple and short. I also spoke with my local Asus service people (one very knowledgeable babe actually) and they recommend that this be done about twice a year. Thanks again !

 

[gregrocker]

Always safer to flash your BIOS from Windows.

Sorry we didn't catch it as it was just wrong that those drives didn't show up there.

 

[justalogin]

Always safer to flash your BIOS from Windows.

Sorry we didn't catch it as it was just wrong that those drives didn't show up there.

By "from windows" did you mean from within the windows GUI ? How is that done?

 

[gregrocker]

Most maker's have a Windows app to update BIOS as well as (or instead of) the DOS flash utility.