Reboot and select proper boot device problem

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Hairyhel

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Jan 2, 2013
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Hi,
I have a custom built pc that's around 1 and a half years old now, I have had this problem twice in the past before but this time I'm having a bigger problem; I have searched and read many threads on a variety of websites but none seem to match my problem close enough.

I have gone into the BIOS and set the default boot device to be my HDD.
I have checked all the wires leading from the motherboard and PSU to the HDD are plugged in correctly.
I have removed all the connections from the back of the case, leaving only the mouse, Keyboard and DVI cables.
I have removed all the SATA cables from their connections, leaving only the HDD with a SATA cable coming from the motherboard.

I also don't think that I can use the Windows OEM disk to try to fix the the problem because my system is running Windows 8.1 rather than the original Windows 7 I installed from the Disk.

My specs are as follows:
Intel i5 3570k
Gigabyte Z77 D3H
Western digital 3tb hdd
 
Solution
M
Here's a Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade, but it will only work if a version of Windows is already installed on your HDD, which it might not be anymore, so this might not work:

"Warning

"Don't format your hard drive before installing Windows. Your current version of Windows must be running when you begin installing Windows 8.1 or Windows 8."

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only


This should provide an OEM version that you can do a clean install with (format the hard drive and then install):

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=271128


However, the problem as I see it is that your license key (you do have a Windows 8 license key, right?) is only good for the upgrade version. It may not work on...
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mbreslin1954

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I'm assuming you've been into BIOS and made sure that BIOS sees your HDD? And that BIOS is set to boot from that lone HDD?

If the above is true, then it's simply a matter that Windows can't find an operating system to boot from on the HDD. The bootloader has been messed up or the OS is messed up such that it is un-bootable.

Assuming the BIOS sees the HDD and that it is set to boot from it, your only option then is to boot from a Windows 8 install disc and then either repair the OS or re-install it. How did you upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7?
 
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Hairyhel

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When I installed windows 7 there was an offer that Microsoft was doing which allowed me to upgrade to Windows 8.

How would I go about getting a windows 8 disk? and would it have to be Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 disk?
 
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mbreslin1954

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Nov 27, 2010
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Here's a Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade, but it will only work if a version of Windows is already installed on your HDD, which it might not be anymore, so this might not work:

"Warning

"Don't format your hard drive before installing Windows. Your current version of Windows must be running when you begin installing Windows 8.1 or Windows 8."

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only


This should provide an OEM version that you can do a clean install with (format the hard drive and then install):

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=271128


However, the problem as I see it is that your license key (you do have a Windows 8 license key, right?) is only good for the upgrade version. It may not work on the OEM version. You may have to wipe the disk and do a clean install of Windows 7, then upgrade to Windows 8 as you did in the first place.

If I could offer some advice, your experience here is a good reason why you should always keep a full system image backup of your HDD. ALL hard drives will fail, every single one of them. If you're not ready and able to re-install your system in the event of a hard drive failure, then you need a system backup image on an external drive. The good news is that Windows 7 and Windows 8 come with the capability to make a complete system image, no need to buy third-party software for the job.

(Don't worry about installing Windows 8 or 8.1, if you install 8 then 8.1 is a free upgrade).
 
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Solution
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Hairyhel

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My BIOS Does recognise my HDD so it probably Windows
 
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