Windows 7 won't boot with WD Ext HD connected

atari360 · Feb 16, 2014

I cannot boot into Windows 7 with my WD External HD connected via USB.

I just put a PC together with Gigabytes Z87x-HD3.

I have tried all kinds of things in the BIOS. The boot sequence doesn't matter because even if the external drive is listed last it still won't boot.

I have test several things: 1. Disabling USB Legacy 2. Taking the external out of the boot sequence all together.

I am not sure of the UEFI settings and such, but I was told to even have it do UEFI Only and no combination seems to work.

Any ideas?

I saw something online about the WD SES Driver for 64-bit. HAvent tired it yet.

I am thinking maybe a firmware upgrade for the Ext HD.

Also... I could download the F2 BIOS for my MB but it only shows something about Support New 4th Generation Intel Core Processors (or something to that effect).

scout_03 · Feb 17, 2014

if you unplug the external drive and boot with the one that have the os on does it work .

atari360 · Feb 17, 2014

scout_03 :

Yes... I can only use the External when I boot into windows THEN plug the stupid thing in.

scout_03 · Feb 17, 2014

then the os in on the external drive so plug it in power and on asb then go in the bios and try usb device as 1 boot device .

atari360 · Feb 17, 2014

There is no OS on the external drive. It's only been a place for storing data.

scout_03 · Feb 17, 2014

then i would try to test the external drive the same way it made issue on your system with another computer there could be something with the case ,i would install that f2 bios in case they also made other bug fix in .

Lee-m · Feb 17, 2014

your not very specific. When you say it wont boot, what actually happens? how far along the boot process do you get ? any errors ?

atari360 · Feb 17, 2014

Sorry.

It depends. Sometimes it go to the windows screen and it hangs. Sometimes it says "Windows is loading files" and then tells me that there is no OS to boot into (like it was when I first turned on the system with a blank HD on it)

Didnt have any problems on the old system.... i was hooked up 24-7-365... never any issues.

Gonna try the F2 Bios

scout_03 · Feb 17, 2014

i would suggest also to use the drive maker test tool for the non os found issue .

Lee-m · Feb 17, 2014

Since your getting as far as windows attempting to boot, its most likely your USB drivers. If you installed the ones on your mobo cd, they might be out of date now. Check your mobo vendor for new drivers.

also check windows update for a Western Digital Technologies WD SES Device update. might be under device or optional.
or check here: http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5419/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzQ5NTI5MzU2L3NpZC9uajY0TTE4bA%3D%3D

Your drive is obviously fine, it sounds like a software issue to me.

atari360 · Feb 18, 2014

Bios updated to F2..... USB drivers are up to date..... did the SES update.

Still goes to "Windows is loading files"

Could there be some sort of hidden partition on the External hard drive I am not seeing?

scout_03 · Feb 22, 2014

check this http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ss/windows-7-startup-repair_2.htm

atari360 · Feb 23, 2014

It's a lost cause now I'd assume.

Scout... I don't want it to go to that like it does when I boot up the new PC with the external HD attached. The new PC runs fine... but will not start up with the external attached. I know its just as easy to not turn of fthe PC or even if I have to make sure the external HD isn't connected.

Just have no idea why this is an issue that seems to have never been solved (at least from all the searching I have done it hasn't

scout_03 · Feb 23, 2014

could it be that the case of the external drive made this are you able to get that drive out without voiding your warranty on it to test it in the system .

atari360 · Feb 23, 2014

It's 5 years old... I need a new one anyway.

I just hope a new ones doesn't cause the same problem.

scout_03 · Feb 23, 2014

then if you could take it out of the case you will know if this drive is good and only need a case for or a complete new external drive .

atari360 · Feb 23, 2014

...

The drive works fine. Get data on and off it all the time. It's just that when it is hooked up when the PC is turned on it tries to run Windows from it.

scout_03 · Feb 23, 2014

the only other thing i see is to connect hte external drive to another system and start it to see if it will behave the same way .

atari360 · Feb 23, 2014

Worked fine for 5 years on the old PC.

And as I have stated above I have tried just about every combination in my Bios.

scout_03 · Feb 24, 2014

the only thing i could see is to test it with data lifeguard diagnostic from wd even if it work well it could be starting to fail on the pcb electronic part .

atari360 · Feb 24, 2014

But it works just fine =-(

Works on the old PC (can be connected when I boot)... laptop (can be connected when it boots)... and new PC (but has to be disconnected when I boot).

scout_03 · Feb 25, 2014

work well on every other system then there could be a issue with the new motherboard usb chipset or the connector on the case does it cut the system onlu from front usb or also with the back one .

Windows 7 won't boot with WD Ext HD connected

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