change system hard drive

[zuth]

hello all!
i encountered a problem after installing a new hard drive
i have 3 HDs (including the one i just installed) C: wich is where windows is installed and E: and F: for data
after installing the new HD ( F: )and formatting it, my system stopped booting, it just hangs, so i changed the boot order and it boots fine, but not through C: but through E:
i also found new BOOT folder in E:, wich wasnt there before
i believe that the HD the system boots from should be the one Windows is installed on ( C: ) so if im not mistaken (very likely i am) i should have C: marked as BOOT and SYSTEM in the Disk Management window
i searched a bit but cannot find a way to fix this, help would be greatly apreciated!

this is a screenshot of my Disk Management window

 

[Joan Archer]

Welcome to the forum, I don't know enough to help but I did notice from your screenshot that you have 2 Active partitions so perhaps that is the problem. Wait until one of the experts comes along to help I just wanted to welcome you and point out my observation.

 

[zuth]

thank you for the warm welcome, its helpful in a way to

also, i should have mentioned that initially just E: drive was active
both of them being active is a result of my attempts to fix this
didnt think it can have an effect but ill try having only C: active and report back

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello zuth, welcome to Seven Forums!


My friend Joan is on the right track.


Since the Hard Disk Drive that shows as Disk 0 is marked as Active, set the Windows 7 (Disk 0) as the first boot device in the main BIOS again and boot the Windows 7 installation DVD or a created repair disk and do the 3 separate startup repairs with the separate restarts to recreate the "System" boot files to the Windows 7 partition, have a look at this tutorial at the link below.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times


Then have a look at Option Two #2 of the same tutorial to see how to mark the Disk 2 as Inactive so this can't happen again and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

 

[whs]

I suspect that the MBR is pointing to E as the boot partition. No idea how that has happened.

I suggest you deactivate E and fix the MBR. Both can be done with the bootable CD of Partition Wizard (last download on this page) Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

 

[SIW2]

The method posted by BFK will do the job

 

[zuth]

@Bare Foot Kid

hi, and thanks for the quick reply
i tried your suggestion, changed boot order to C: ( disk 0 )
but when attempting "startup repair" it cannot detect any problems
also tried making disk 2 ( E: ) inactive and than running "startup repair" while disk 0 is first boot device
no good, it just hangs whenever i try to boot from C:
had to make disk 2 active again so i can boot my system

maybe im missing somthing in the "startup repair" phase?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Power down the PC and disconnect the HDD data cables from the motherboard, leaving only the Windows 7 HDD connected, make sure it's set as the first boot device in the BIOS and try the 3 startup repairs again.


You are doing at least 3 separate startup repairs with system restarts between each repair?

 

[zuth]

gonna try this in a minute.
just to make sure im not doing it all wrong.
im starting the system with windows CD in and clicking repair, then "startup repair"
then it tells me that are no problems, restarting and repeating, i should then still do it twice more? and again get no problems?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

With only the Windows 7 HDD data cable connected to the mobo and set as the first boot device in the PC main BIOS, boot the Windows DVD and do this 3 separate times with a PC/system restart between each startup repair.


How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

 

[zuth]

no luck
disconnected everything except the system HD
made 3 separate Startup repairs
no problems detected by them
and afterwards tried booting with the HD (the others still disconnected)
and it hangs just like before
getting frustrating around here
any advice?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Are you certain the correct HDD is connected and set as the first boot device for the repairs?

 

[gregrocker]

Can we see another screenshot of Disk Mgmt with all HD's plugged in?

It is safer to plug/unplug the cables at the HD's rather than touching the mobo. Be sure to discharge static by touching the case each time.

 

[zuth]

@Bare Foot Kid
i am sure its the only HDD connected, as for first boot device, its the only one in the list after disconnecting the rest, only its really second to the cd drive for the Windows CD

@gregrocker
i did disconnect from HD's and not mobo to be on the safe side
and here's another screenshot, nothing different except different order of HD's

 

[gregrocker]

Boot into BIOS setup to set Win7 HD as first to boot, before the CD/DVD drive.

Download and burn to CD free Partition Wizard bootable CD, boot CD, rightclick E to Modify>Set to Inactive, click OK. Partition Wizard will autostart on its own.

Next click on DISK0 so that it is highlighted, then from the Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, OK, Apply both steps. Close PW, remove CD, restart computer.

If Win7 doesn't start, repeat the above with all other HD"s unplugged besides Win7.

If Win7 doesn't start, use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to boot into Win7 DVD Repair console to run Startup Repair 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts.

 

[SIW2]

it just hangs whenever i try to boot from C:
had to make disk 2 active again so i can boot my system

At what point does it hang?

Any messages?

 

[zuth]

@SIW2
it hangs where the boot device is supposed to be activated i believe, for instance, if i choose to boot from CD, it prompts me to click a button to boot from CD, if i dont and the second boot device is my system HD it hangs, no massages

@gregrocker
im gonna give it a try, only thing im confused about is that you said to "set Win7 HD as first to boot, before the CD/DVD drive" but as i mentioned before, it wont boot this way, i have to choose my second HD for it to boot.
so i suppose you meant just to boot my system so i can download partition wizard, if so you may disregard that last comment, otherwise, if it has any significance to the process please let me know

 

[gregrocker]

As stated use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key which every computer has (look on first boot screen) to boot the DVD.
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button


PW CD will autostart, meaning it will boot itself.

Unplug all peripherals, remove any cards from slots.

 

[SIW2]

@SIW2
it hangs where the boot device is supposed to be activated i believe, for instance, if i choose to boot from CD, it prompts me to click a button to boot from CD, if i dont and the second boot device is my system HD it hangs, no massages

Do you get just a blinking cursor at top left of black screen?

 

[zuth]

gregrocker!!! your a life saver
I used Partition Wizard, as you suggested and the problem is solved, very quickly and easily to
many thanks to all who helped out