Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected Boot device and press a key

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Asdfghjk

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Mar 21, 2013
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"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected Boot device and press a key"

Just built my first pc a couple weeks ago, worked on first start-up no problems. Today I come home from work and got the message noted above ^. Tried putting the startup disk in and it booted up fine, so I know it's not the motherboard. Went through the installation menus and I can see my Boot Device, a Scandisk SSD so I know it didn't die on me. But it says windows can't be installed to it because it is now a gpt partition style, even though I installed windows to it just fine weeks ago, and have been running off of it since then. Can anyone help me out here?
 
Solution
RetiredChief
If that is an "upgrade" win 7 disk, I don't think custom should be greyed out.
I often us the upgrade version to do a clean install, by selecting custom.

I'm not sure what happened, but mostly likely you will have to delete the partitions on the drive.
Two methods.
1) a 3rd party partitioning program. Pretty sure there is one on the Ultimate Boot CD.
Link: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
Scroll down to section on HDDs, Not sure which would be the best.
2) Windows Diskpart cmd. This utility is on the Win 7 disk and can be accessed. If not familiar with Dos it can be a little nerve wracking.
Here Goes:
How to access Diskpart from Windows 7 DVD:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html

How to use...
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Feb 22, 2007
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You did set the Bios to AHCI before installing windows???
If you did then double check that the bios did not get reset to IDE.

Try this:
Make sure Bios is set to AHCI, and DISCONNECT any other HDDs except the SSD.
Start windows installation, select CUSTOM mode.
On page that shows your HDD, select advanced and delete all Partitions on the SSD.
Select the now un-partitioned drive and re-install windows.
When satisfied, reconnect any HDDs.

When Windows is Install, drivers loaded and you have re-installed your programs,
Do your self a favor and go to Control panel, select system, then Back-up.
On the left side select make a system Image. Select the HDD to put image on.
Ever have a problem with windows again, you can pop in the repair disk (after image is created, it will prompt you to create a bootable repair disk), select repair, then restore using image.
Walla, 15 Minutes later you reboot to exactly as it was when you made the image No reinstall, reload drivers, reinstall programs!!!

Added above is for windows 7. If Windows 8, DUMB-DUMB uSoft Hid Buried this app but it is THERE, just Google windows 8 backup
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Question - do you leave your PC on all the time?

Check your boot order and devices.

Possible scenario:
Install, and everything works OK
Fast forward a couple of weeks, Windows update.
Auto Reboot
Boot order is still set to the DVD
No Windows install in the DVD drive

Oops.
 
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A

Asdfghjk

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Mar 21, 2013
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No I don't leave it on all the time. Boot order is correct, and I tinkered with it a bit and no order I change it to has any other effect. I have my windows install disk in the DVD drive right now, changed to boot order to both the SSD and DVD drive, no effect.

P.s. why is everyone on this forum ex U.S. Air Force?
 
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Asdfghjk

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Mar 21, 2013
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It hasn't reset to IDE, just checked it.

The BIOS is set to AHCI, and I don't have any other drives, just the 1 SSD. And it won't let me select Windows Custom install. It's greyed out but upgrade isn't, which is where I can see the SSD.

Also it's windows 7, I didn't care for 8.
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Feb 22, 2007
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If that is an "upgrade" win 7 disk, I don't think custom should be greyed out.
I often us the upgrade version to do a clean install, by selecting custom.

I'm not sure what happened, but mostly likely you will have to delete the partitions on the drive.
Two methods.
1) a 3rd party partitioning program. Pretty sure there is one on the Ultimate Boot CD.
Link: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
Scroll down to section on HDDs, Not sure which would be the best.
2) Windows Diskpart cmd. This utility is on the Win 7 disk and can be accessed. If not familiar with Dos it can be a little nerve wracking.
Here Goes:
How to access Diskpart from Windows 7 DVD:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html

How to use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBksDkZ4I1Q
or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html

Description of the “switches” that can be used – The one you want is “clean” to remove all partitions
If you say “Clean all” that is the same as a secure erase. The “clean” wipes partitions and the “all” writes all zeros
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300415
 
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Solution
USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Obviously not everyone is. But the USAF has a large collection of geeks of varied backgrounds. And as such, may tend to gravitate towards sites like this.
Most of my AF career involved fixing things that went 1,500 mph.

And old geezers like myself and RetiredChief have also done a few teaching/instructional gigs along the way. This is another way of passing on the knowledge.
 
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Asdfghjk

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Mar 21, 2013
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2 ex af members replied to this post at about the same time lol. I'm currently in the af myself, though not retired (that makes 3?), just thought it was interesting/funny
 
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Asdfghjk

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Mar 21, 2013
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Hey thanks for the extensive trouble shooting solution but I've pretty much given up after doing a lot of trouble shooting on my own, a lot of which involves what you stated in your solutions, and believe the SSD to be defective :[. I ordered a new one, and luckily this defective one is still under warranty so hopefully I'll be able to get another one (working this time?) and use it as a very very fast slave drive/system restore disk like you recommended. I'm giving you the top solution for your effort, and if the disk was capable of functioning your solution sounds like it would have done the trick if any would have
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Feb 22, 2007
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Most HDD manufs offer a HDD utility for their HDDs that will rset Track 0. Wish the SSD manufs would take the hint and do the same. Several offer a "tool box" but not all. Some of the "tool Boxs" will perform a secure erease function.

Currently Have:
.. 10 Sata III SSDs (Curcial M4, Samsung 830 and 840 Pro, and agility III)
.. 5 Sata II SSDs, oldest one is a Intel G1 (predates Trim)
Only problem was with the OCZ Agility III which was bought BEFORE the OCZ fiasco.

Quick bio.
Retired from USAF in 1983 (Spent 12 Years teaching both basic and advanced Electronics). Spent 2 yrs as head of the electronic department for a CC, 18 Years as a contractor to NASA and retired in 2004. Was asked to come back in 2008 Casual time which has evolved to Full time (30 Hours) as a Senior Electronics Engineer - LOLs.
 
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