Unable to boot Win7 with Secondary HDD (Primary is SSD)

rsmb41

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Nov 28, 2013
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I'm trying to boot new install of Windows 7 (on SSD) to boot with second HDD (SATA) with data.

System Config : AsRock Z77 Extreme 4, Single 4 GB RAM stick, Processor i5

Disk 1 : SSD ( Windows 7 New Install with AHCI)
Disk 2 : HDD ( connected to SATA port. Contains only photos and files, not used for Windows install)

Looks like Disk 2 is causing the problem. When I boot the system with Disk 1, I can load boot Windows. After connecting Disk 2. Windows boot Manager error appears with Boot Selection Failed because a required device is inaccessible.

Boot Order in BIOS
------------------------

Boot Option 1 : Windows Boot Manager
Boot Option 2 : Disk 1

I tried swapping the above order as well.

Hard Drive BBS Priorities ( Disk 1, Disk 2)

Boot Order in Boot Manager (via F11)
----------------------------

Windows boot manager
Disk 1 (SSD with Windows 7 )
Disk 2

If I select Disk 1, I get Windows boot Manager with Status oxc00000e ( boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible).

ASRock BIOS Version : 2.90 (latest)

I'm unable to move Disk 1 (SSD) to top of the boot order via F11

What should I do to get the second drive to work? thanks for you help.
 
Solution
The bios gets the boot info from the first drive it finds that has one so make sure the SSD is on the lowest numbered chipset sata port you have.

If you have an intel bd with 2 intel sata3 ports and 4 sata2 ports I would install the ssd on the lowest numbered sata3 port and the hdd on the lowest numbered sata2 port. Be careful though as some intel based boards dont have any intel sata3 ports but rather use marvell or asmedia and you definitely want to use the intel ports even if they are sata2.

rsmb41

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Nov 28, 2013
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HDD wasn't connected when installing Windows 7. I connected it after installing Windows and Drivers.

I can't boot the PC with HDD connected. I was thinking of getting SATA to USB cable to access/debug it. I'm not sure if there are other ways to access it. Its Segate 2 TB drive ( about 1.5 years old). at this point, I will be happy to just recover the data.
 

rsmb41

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Nov 28, 2013
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I think I have bigger problem then just bad HDD. To find the SRP, I removed the SATA and power from HDD. Restarted the system.

It asked for "Enter Boot media and press any key".

Powered Off. Re-checked cables.

Pressed Power Button. Power Supply Fan spun for a second and stopped.

Now, I can't power-on the PC.
 

RealBeast

Titan
Moderator
It could be your PSU going, that would cause a lot of issues. If you have another computer try a different PSU or else you will have to swap out parts until you can confirm they all work to give you evidence that it is the PSU.

If you disconnect the PSU and use a paper clip to short the green wire to a black wire (pin 16 to 17) it should start the PSU up normally, and yes it is safe to do and recommended by many PSU makers to test the unit.
 

popatim

Titan
Moderator
The bios gets the boot info from the first drive it finds that has one so make sure the SSD is on the lowest numbered chipset sata port you have.

If you have an intel bd with 2 intel sata3 ports and 4 sata2 ports I would install the ssd on the lowest numbered sata3 port and the hdd on the lowest numbered sata2 port. Be careful though as some intel based boards dont have any intel sata3 ports but rather use marvell or asmedia and you definitely want to use the intel ports even if they are sata2.
 
Solution

rsmb41

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Nov 28, 2013
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Update : I got the system to boot with SSD. Removed all the power connectors and reconnected back to mobo, then cleared CMOS.

When I add Disk 2 (HDD) bot manager loads the windows startup files.

I had a spare HDD (Disk 3). I tried booting the system with Disk 1 (SSD) and Disk 3 ( spare HDD). I can boot Windows. Just to make sure I tried booting with all 3 disks and ran into the boot problem.

Plus tried connecting SATA 2 port to Disk 2 HDD and had the same problem.

This narrows down the problem to Bad HDD. I'm waiting for SATA to USB cable shipment. I will post an update after testing the disk 2 (Segate 2 TB Drive).
 

Skilldo

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Nov 30, 2013
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I am having the exact same issue at the moment. Can you enable hot plugging on any of you SATA ports from the BIOS? After booting with just the SSD I was able to get in to my HDD files by plugging it in after Windows loaded. Still can't boot with both plugged in though. Did you use the HDD as a primary boot device before? Also, have you tried booting with the SSD and a completely clean HDD connected? I think that's my last option but it means losing all my data or buying a new drive.
 

lanufabi

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Jan 4, 2014
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I have a similar problem. I can start windows fluently only without HDD connected. Otherwise it takes over 10 minutes to pass "Starting Windows".
My config:
ASUS X51L Notebook
SSD in HD slot (Win7 System + Arch Linux)
HDD in SALCAR Adapter in optical bay (not connected during installation)

Is there any solution to avoid this hanging during boot?

Thanks
Fabi