Windows 8.1 refuses to boot when secondary HDD is removed

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marciopol

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Mar 14, 2015
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Hi. I will explain my problem briefly. I have installed a new windows 8.1 copy on my SSD, but apparently it still uses bootloader from secondary HDD which also had W8 installed. So now everytime I try to boot my laptop without HDD inserted it throws simple "Operating System Not Found"

So far everything is working, but I am afraid that when my hdd dies I will be left with not-working computer :<. So, is there any way I can make it boot with only SSD inserted?

If you need any additional info to help me solve the problem, ask!

Hoping for fast response, thanks in advance :)
 
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SortNVF

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Mar 3, 2015
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If you havent done anything with the SSD install yet, id recommend taking out the regular HDD and reinstalling on the SSD. If that doesnt make it bootable, take it out back and shoot it.

Sorry, i dont really know how you managed to make an install that isnt recognised as an OS in the first place. But hmm do as i said and it should work.

Also make a copy of that HDD while you have it out of the comp.
 
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marciopol

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Mar 14, 2015
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It is already picked as the boot drive, and it just doesn't work, it only boots when secondary hdd is inserted, when it is removed whatever boot option in UEFI I choose it throws "Operating system not found"
 
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M

marciopol

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Mar 14, 2015
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@SortNVF Unfortunately I already have quite a lot on my ssd, I only noticed this problem now, as I always have secondary hdd inserted. System boots from SSD (it is fast and so on), but only when HDD is inserted. I can provide any details about my setup u want if it helps.

Thanks for answers
 
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J

jimpz

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Jan 20, 2012
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Did you install Win8.1on the SSD with the 2nd hd installed?
In that cast, Windows almost always puts the boot record on the HD,
Rub windows boot repair, (I believe it needs to run 3 time) & it should start booting correctly.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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The issue stems from installing the OS when you had two drives connected.
Windows 7 and later, in their infinite wisdom, puts the System Reserved partition (boot info) on the 'other' drive.

How to fix?
Disconnect everything but the desired SSD
Get your Windows install media
Boot, and do the Repair option.

It 'might' fix it.
 
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M

marciopol

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Mar 14, 2015
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Problem fixed, started to type some commands from some tutorial on how to fix/wipe/recreate BCD (I had no idea what I was doing) and... everything works now! Thanks for giving me some attention :)
 
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