W7 install to SSD, second HD with backup files causing BSOD on startup

[saganism]

Old setup:
1. HD with W7 + files
2. additional HD with extra files
3. SSD with Ubuntu

I never used my Ubuntu install and was having a few OS issues with old W7 install, so I decided to wipe Ubuntu and fresh install W7 on the SSD. I transferred the files I wanted to keep that were on the HD(#1) to an external then used a windows install disk to put W7 on the SSD. Booted fine from SSD and could access both HDs(#1 and #2). Set up User folder(Pictures, Music, Docs, etc.) to relate to folders on HD #2, worked for a few days or so and then started to get BSOD on occasion. My memory gets iffy about how long this persisted and the regularity of the BSODs, but eventually I had to unplug the SATA from HD #2 in order to boot.

Currently I have a clean W7 with updates installed on the SSD and a clean HD #1. If I plug in HD #2 right before windows loads up I get a 'Error: Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might have caused the issue' where I choose between a startup repair(which seems to set HD #1 as my 1st boot option, which obviously doesn't help since there is no OS on it) or Start Windows Normally. If I select the second option I get the Windows splash screen with loading bar then a BSOD flash to restart.

I would like to try and recover the files on HD #2 if possible, but I am unsure what to do at this point.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome saganism mate first up please run these and post back oh and make sure only the C: drive is hooked up

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html

&

http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Just out of curiosity how did you prepare the drive - wipe it as you said?

Now once this has been sorted the data on the other drive can be retrieved using this

BOOTABLE UBUNTU

Make a bootable Ubuntu disk http://www.ubuntu.com/download

Set the BIOS to boot from the optical when themachine boots it will show you a screen with TRY or INSTALL >select TRY not INSTALL

When it is finished - it takes very little time youwill get a screen like in the pic .

Open the drive you want > User and dig downuntil you get to the data / settings you may be able to copy / paste thematerial you want to an external source or other installed drive doing this.

I am not sure if it will but I have recovered tonsof data etc using this method both on "dead" or just plain drivesthat you cannot get data from using Windows.

There is a Linux Mint MATE version of doing this but I use this because it is so easy