Solved won't boot with external USB attached

[shimself]

OK so the workaround isn't too bad, but still


I have a toshiba 3Tb usb hdd for backup. Like the title says the boot hangs if it's attached. I just changed machine and reinstalled windows, and it still happens. It hangs just after the Starting Windows message appear and just before the pretty coloured dots start waving around. Any ideas?


Thanks

 

[iko22]

Hi shimself,


The HDD is too big for the Windows 32-bit platform. Windows 32-bit limits you to a 2TB storage device. That limitation is removed on 64-bit editions of the OS. The workaround is to re-format the drive as 2TB capacity, but then you would have 1TB of inaccessible storage space.

 

[shimself]

Hi shimself,


The HDD is too big for the Windows 32-bit platform. Windows 32-bit limits you to a 2TB storage device. That limitation is removed on 64-bit editions of the OS. The workaround is to re-format the drive as 2TB capacity, but then you would have 1TB of inaccessible storage space.

it's win 7 pro 64 bit. Nice idea thanks. (To prove it I also have a 3T internal hdd)

 

[iko22]

it's win 7 pro 64 bit. Nice idea thanks. (To prove it I also have a 3T internal hdd)

your forum profile states that you have Windows 32-bit


Perhaps you could update your System Specs in your User Profile?

Thanks.

 

[shimself]

your forum profile states that you have Windows 32-bit


Perhaps you could update your System Specs in your User Profile?

Thanks.

done sorry.

(I would have added the laptops as well but it only seems to want one system)

 

[Megahertz07]

As I understood, the computer hangs during startup when the USB 3TB is attached.
Does it work normally if you attach it after boot is completed?

Open device manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

 

[shimself]

As I understood, the computer hangs during startup when the USB 3TB is attached.
Does it work normally if you attach it after boot is completed?

Open device manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

yes it does. the workaround is unplug if rebooting, then plug in once login screen apears. As a new install with tons of windows updates running when you least expect it it's been a nuisance


and device manager has no alerts


Thanks for the help

 

[jumanji]

'.......The HDD is too big for the Windows 32-bit platform. Windows 32-bit limits you to a 2TB storage device. That limitation is removed on 64-bit editions of the OS. The workaround is to re-format the drive as 2TB capacity, but then you would have 1TB of inaccessible storage space.

Sorry iko22 , that statement is not correct. I have a Seagate Expansion 3TB external ( Desktop,) initialised as GPT) plugged into Windows Ultimate 32 bit Desktop at boot.





Megahertz07 is on the right track .

 

[Megahertz07]

Please attach an image of Disk Management (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) of the external disk as Jumanji did.
Expand the window and the columns so we can read them.

 

[iko22]

Hello shimself

Sorry iko22 , that statement is not correct. I have a Seagate Expansion 3TB external ( Desktop,) initialised as GPT) plugged into Windows Ultimate 32 bit Desktop at boot.

View attachment 408714

View attachment 408715

Megahertz07 is on the right track .

sorry I goofed a bit earlier , and misconstrued my facts in my earlier reply.

Please follow jumanji and Megahertz07 excellent example on this matter.

 

[shimself]

Please attach an image of Disk Management (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) of the external disk as Jumanji did.
Expand the window and the columns so we can read them.

herewith. (disk 2,3,4,5 will be the built in usb/sd etc panel on the front face)

 

[SIW2]

Take the active flag off it.

type the following at command prompt:

diskpart
(press enter)
sel vol j:
(press enter)
inact
(press enter)
exi
(press enter)

 

[Megahertz07]

Take the active flag off it.

type the following at command prompt:

diskpart
(press enter)
sel vol J: (not F
(press enter)
inact
(press enter)
exi
(press enter)

Disk J: is set as "active", it is set as a boot able disk. It probably had a OS installed and now is for data.
On BIOS, it is probably set as first boot option.
You have 3 options:
- On BIOS, set disk 0 as first boot option.
- Open a CMD window as Administrator and use the Diskpart commands SIW2 gave you or you can set disk J: as inactive using Disk Manager

 

[SIW2]

Yes, should be J:

 

[TechnoMage2016]

Most, or at least Many PC's and Laptops are setup in the Bios to boot from the Flash Drive first. OK?


If the attached Flash Drive (USB device) has a boot sector and OS, it will boot the PC, and if not the boot process will/may hang.


I have one old Flash Drive that I've used for years, with my Utilities programs on it. I use it on every Service Call. I have reformatted it several times over the years, but almost every PC will try to boot from it, if it's plugged in when I boot or re-boot the PC.
I've given up trying to figure out why, I just have to remember to unplug it before I re-boot a PC.
(it's an old PNY 8GB FD)
Ain't that weird?


Life is too short, to worry about the simple stuff.

 

[shimself]

Thanks for the help. I'm on holiday so can't try anything out until I return. I am certain that the first disk in the boot order is indeed the SSD as it should be

 

[shimself]

Please attach an image of Disk Management (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) of the external disk as Jumanji did.
Expand the window and the columns so we can read them.

Sorry for the huge delay, it stopped being a regular nuisance, but now I'd like to hand the pc over so it needs fixing



Done - it's disk J: (sorry about the drive letters, it's historical)

 

[iko22]

Welcome back shimself. Just to recap, does the computer+external disk still hang, after J: is marked as Inactive?

 

[shimself]

Thanks for those who tried to help


The drastic solution was forced on me, the pc died, so same problem came up with 2 dell T3400, now replaced by a Lenovo and problem gone away