Problem with new computer seeing the hard drive

[MartyJ]

I have a new Asus M32 desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 with 2 partitions. I was using a program Partition Wizard and I clicked align the partitions, then I couldn't boot up anymore or get into the bios. Removing the hard drive got me into the bios, but I didn't know what to do, so I called support and they said ship it to us and they would try to fix it. I took the hard drive and put it into a seven year old Dell Vostro and it recognized the hard drive. I deleted the partitions, put it back in the Asus and it was recognized again and all is fine. Why did align the partitions cause this to happen? Could this have been corrected within my Asus without removing the hard drive and using another computer? Thank you.

 

[cyclops]

I can't say if you could have done anything on the new machine to correct the hard drive problemm, not enough info here. I would ask why you are messing with partitions on a new PC? You probably have/had 2 parts for the primary C: is your os and the 2nd part is probably D: and would likely be a recovery/backup image part. What is your goal here?

 

[MartyJ]

The machine came with Windows 8. I formatted and made 2 partitions. Windows 7 on the first and Windows 10 on the second. There was also a small 100mb partition that windows must have made before Windows 7. Everything was running fine until a few weeks later. I clicked within the partition wizard software "align the partitions". I thought it would make my computer run even better. After I clicked, it said to reboot, and then the computer wouldn't recognize the hard drive anymore. It was stuck on the Asus splash screen. Just wondering what I did wrong and glad I had an old computer to fix the mess I made.

 

[cyclops]

I would recommend you start using a non-essential computer for learning/experimenting purposes and always have a hard drive clone sitting on the shelf before diving into such activities. That way you always have a sure fire way of a quick recovery method. Good that you are curious, just don't get crazy on your nice new computer.

 

[DavidE]

Reading post #3 i'm not sure sure what you did to buy a PC that came with 8.1, and what you did to get Win 7 and Win 10 on it
You probably could have done a Startup Repair to fix the boot problem.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

i.e.
Did you upgrade the 8.1 to Win10 with the free upgrade offer ?
And then install Win 7 Ultimate ?
Win 7 won't understand the W8.1 or W10 Boot Manager and be able to update it correctly.

If Startup Repair doesn't fix your issue, you might need to manually rebuild the BCD Store.

When you install multiple OS's on a PC, the oldest OS should be installed first, and newer OS's installed after that in the order they were released.

I believe the Align you did corrupted the Boot Manager (aka Bootloader/BCD Store).
I've done this to myself several times over the years, and Startup Repair always worked for me.
Any time I Install OS/Upgrade OS/Move/Align/Resize partitons, it can cause boot problems.
I always make full backups of EVERYTHING before making such changes, so i can easily recover.

Best to do as cyclops suggested, and learn on a TEST box with a "clone" drive available for recovery.

You could also post a screen print of Disk Management if you want more help with what you want to do.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[AddRAM]

We would have told you to run a few commands in Diskpart to see if the disk even needed to be aligned.

Next time don`t be so foolish.

The offset on the 1st partition on the selected drive has to be divisable by 4 at the KB level, that`s it. Simple.

If not, THEN you use a tool like a Partition Wizard Boot CD or Diskpart booting from the Install DVD to correct the alignment.

 

[RolandJS]

Hey guys, I want to learn -- what is and why for: Align the Partitions? This is the first time I've seen that phrase.

 

[MartyJ]

Here is a screen print from my Disk Management taken from Windows 7 partition. To go into Windows 10 I click on Pqboot on the desktop. To get back to Windows 7 I click on Pqboot in Windows 10. Is Pqboot the right way to switch? I found it during a Google search.

 

[DavidE]

Hey guys, I want to learn -- what is and why for: Align the Partitions? This is the first time I've seen that phrase.

See this tutorial by whs:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

 

[Layback Bear]

When I tinker with more than one operating system I do it the safest way I know how.

Each new operating system gets it's own Drive (disk)(ssd).

When I boot I select which system to boot into.
If I screw up one of the operating system it doesn't effect the others.
Just boot into the working operating system and format or repair the one I screwed up.

 

[RolandJS]

Hey guys, I want to learn -- what is and why for: Align the Partitions? This is the first time I've seen that phrase.

See this tutorial by whs:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/113967-ssd-alignment.html

Saved onto hard-drive, thanks! As one who desiring to learn more and more about backup/restore, data recovery, effective/efficient/correct computer operations -- this information will definitely be a welcome addition to ReadingMaterial folder.

 

[AddRAM]

Here is a screen print from my Disk Management taken from Windows 7 partition. To go into Windows 10 I click on Pqboot on the desktop. To get back to Windows 7 I click on Pqboot in Windows 10. Is Pqboot the right way to switch? I found it during a Google search.

Usually the boot screen is more then enough.