it's a strange one. i have all my data (no software) stored on a hdd and W8.1 pro on my ssd. now if i remove the hdd, windows won't boot. anyone know why? i've tried running repair from disc, but still nothing. this just doesn't make sense to me, what has the hdd got to do with booting ssd?
windows 8.1 (ssd) won't boot after disconnecting data hdd
- Thread starter reg66
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nukemaster
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- Nov 23, 2004
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Please check the hard drive in disk management to see if it contains the boot loader for Windows 8. If this is the case, that is your problem.
The windows boot loader does not actually have to be on the drive you are booting from(Vista/7/8 have a partition or multiple partitions hidden from the user to deal with booting and diagnostics.).
You can move the boot loader over but it may take some work.
You "may" be able to use easyBCD community edition to add a boot loader to the normal c : partition as well. I have never tried it with Windows 8 and many little things can cause that to not actually work.
A screen shot of disk management may help(Start + R and type diskmgmt.msc).
The windows boot loader does not actually have to be on the drive you are booting from(Vista/7/8 have a partition or multiple partitions hidden from the user to deal with booting and diagnostics.).
You can move the boot loader over but it may take some work.
You "may" be able to use easyBCD community edition to add a boot loader to the normal c : partition as well. I have never tried it with Windows 8 and many little things can cause that to not actually work.
A screen shot of disk management may help(Start + R and type diskmgmt.msc).
yes, i did install windows on ssd while hdd was connected. cheers for the rapid responses.
so by installing with the hdd connected, are some of the boot files installed to that disk? i've poked around for hidden files but can't see any ini files or anything like
so by installing with the hdd connected, are some of the boot files installed to that disk? i've poked around for hidden files but can't see any ini files or anything like
nukemaster
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- Nov 23, 2004
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nukemaster
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- Nov 23, 2004
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Strange. I have never seen Win8 not at least have 1 partition to hold any diagnostics and bootloader. If you preformat the ssd or hard drive it can be installed on one partition, but the hard drive should not be holding anything in that case.
Well your boot loader should be in a hidden system folder called BOOT. it is not just normal hidden but a hidden system folder so you need to make sure you can see both.
If you want to check out what you have you need to set show hidden files, folders, and drives and then remove the check mark from hide protected operating system files. you change these settings in Windows Explorer under View.
Well your boot loader should be in a hidden system folder called BOOT. it is not just normal hidden but a hidden system folder so you need to make sure you can see both.
If you want to check out what you have you need to set show hidden files, folders, and drives and then remove the check mark from hide protected operating system files. you change these settings in Windows Explorer under View.
Lee-m
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- Jan 27, 2009
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Windows is a real bitch for doing this, I had the exact same issue when I installed this ssd.
I had to purposely break the boot loader some how (so it didnt work). Disconnect all drives except the ssd I wanted to boot from, then like popatim said, run start up repair from the install media. I had to run it more like 5 times for it to be fixed.
I had to purposely break the boot loader some how (so it didnt work). Disconnect all drives except the ssd I wanted to boot from, then like popatim said, run start up repair from the install media. I had to run it more like 5 times for it to be fixed.
nukemaster
Titan
- Nov 23, 2004
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sorted. using easybcd (free) select 'bcd backup/repair', click 'change boot drive', click 'perform action', select destination drive. done!!! hope this helps someone. ( i was using Windows 8.1 pro x64, so it should work on 7 etc etc).
i can now use use paragon migrate os to ssd successfully too! thanks to nukemaster for his original suggestion of easybcd
i can now use use paragon migrate os to ssd successfully too! thanks to nukemaster for his original suggestion of easybcd
nukemaster
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- Nov 23, 2004
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Wow. So glad I came across this post. Exactly my problem and I can't seem to find a fix.
Installed EasyBCD 2.2 Community Edition from NeoSmart Tech but receiving the following error:
Operation not allowed!:
An attempt was made to change the boot partition to a logical drive, which is not allowed. The boot partition must ba a primary partition. Please either select a different drive or convert the selected partition to primary first, then try again.
From Disk Management:
Disk 0 J: Sata that I want to remove. Healthy (Primary Partition)
Disk 1 C: is my SSD: Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary partition
FWIW, Both have Recovery partitions. The Sata also has a 100MB EFI system partition.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Installed EasyBCD 2.2 Community Edition from NeoSmart Tech but receiving the following error:
Operation not allowed!:
An attempt was made to change the boot partition to a logical drive, which is not allowed. The boot partition must ba a primary partition. Please either select a different drive or convert the selected partition to primary first, then try again.
From Disk Management:
Disk 0 J: Sata that I want to remove. Healthy (Primary Partition)
Disk 1 C: is my SSD: Healthy (Boot, Page File, Crash Dump, Primary partition
FWIW, Both have Recovery partitions. The Sata also has a 100MB EFI system partition.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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