[Pictures] My parts (SSD/HDD) are not showing up in my BIOS's boot order and I can't override/choose which drive to boot from!

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

EDIT: Sorry pics aren't just on the forum, don't know how, sorry :/

[Sorry for bad cable management btw xD]

When I boot up my PC (first build, built yesterday), I see the MSI Click BIOS 4 (got an MSI Z97 PC Mate MoBo), everything is fine. I want to install windows 8.1 (maybe upgrade to 10 in future) and i have it on disk (I don't have an optical drive cos the one I got doesn't work, so I'm getting another today). The problem is, when i go to the boot order, it comes up with just this:

https://imageshack.com/i/exZfNfyQj

And when I click on say the 'Hard disk' option, it just has the other options again like this:

https://imageshack.com/i/hlsm9Nxvj

This is somewhat of a problem because I intend to install windows to my SSD. I have both my SSD and HDD powered and connected to the mobo via SATA 1 (SSD) & 2 (HDD):

https://imageshack.com/i/pcnBqVAej
https://imageshack.com/i/eyFiBqu8j
https://imageshack.com/i/ipH0dSh2j
https://imageshack.com/i/eyx3CE71j

As you can see, my Mobo acknowledges that the HDD and SSD are connected:

https://imageshack.com/i/f0IhGTp5j
https://imageshack.com/i/pcUazupIj

Also, there are no options below the boot order options to do stuff such as choose which hard disk to boot to:

https://imageshack.com/i/f0FripGUj

What do I do, have I not installed some parts or wires correctly? Will I not be able to use my new PC? I have no clue what is going on... Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

BTW my specs are:
i5-4460
MSI Z97 PC Mate
EVGA 2gb GeForce GTX 960 SSC ACX 2.0+
16gb (2x8) Corsair Vengeance Pro (2400mhz) (Its at 2400mhz in my system, is that too much? It's at 1.632 V, too much? Enough? Not enough?)
1TB Western Digital Blue SATA 3 HDD (Goes in SATA 3 slot? I don't think so just checking)
128gb SanDisk X110 2.5" SSD
500W EVGA 500B Bronze PSU

I also got a 'ScanFX Hard Drive Cooler' for free but I don't think it will fit in my system, any suggestions?

https://imageshack.com/i/expsVfQVj
https://imageshack.com/i/ex52fSAIj
https://imageshack.com/i/f0rG0Qglj
https://imageshack.com/i/idUZLdOMj
https://imageshack.com/i/ideFvuOqj
https://imageshack.com/i/hl5ClS5Wj
https://imageshack.com/i/pdATSWhYj
https://imageshack.com/i/ipGbGO89j
https://imageshack.com/i/pcHItqc0j

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Just unplug the hard drive for now and leave the SSD plugged in. Are you installing the OS via disc or USB?
You don't really need an optical drive, you can make a Window 8 Installer on a USB. Same with Window 10 when it comes out.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

I have Windows 8.1 on a disc. I'm not sure how to get it on USB because some people say it lasts only 90 days and I tried a method on the Microsoft website last night (formatted usb stick) but when I plugged it into my new PC, it just showed up as it was connected, but I couldn't do anything.

I'll get back to you when I've fiddled with the SATA Ports

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

I did not mean to install the OS on a USB, it is just the window installation setup on a USB. You need to boot up the USB holding the setup to start the installation process. You do have a legitimate windows 8.1 product key ?

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

Maximoford :

I did not mean to install the OS on a USB, it is just the window installation setup on a USB. You need to boot up the USB holding the setup to start the installation process. You do have a legitimate windows 8.1 product key ?

I've tried putting the SATA cables into different slots (I have 6), booting without the HDD, and even switching which cable goes into which drive. Nothing changes. (did you see the pictures?).

Also yes I have a legitimate Windows 8.1 product key with my disc.

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Ignore the boot order for now if you want to install window 8.1, directly choose to boot to the USB drive containing your window 8.1 setup.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

This is where i downloaded the installation media: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Is that right? btw the USB drive is showing up on the BIOS now.

If I boot directly to the USB drive, what happens? How do I get it on my SSD and where do I find my SSD/HDD? (to install drivers/apps/games etc.? Do i install windows, then power off, go to BIOS, SSD is there and somehow put windows on there? I have no clue?

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

When you boot up the USB, you start the Windows 8.1 installation process. Follow the onscreen instructions to install windows on your SSD. The reason why I told you to leave only your SSD drive plugged in is so you don't accidentally install it on the HDD. After the installation completes and it restarts, make sure you change the boot order to the SSD/Boot manager and take out the USB else you be booting to the USB again.
After you installed windows, you can plug in the HDD. If it does not show up in windows, check "Disk Management" and create a partition.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

so when windows installs, it restarts and i go into bios, the ssd should be in the boot priorities?

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

Yes. And remove the USB.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

Ok thanks I'm gonna try that now (also if it doesn't work and I've used my product key, will i have to buy windows again?

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

If you haven't activated it online, you can still use it. You should be able to reuse your key on the same build though.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Thanks! I've installed windows on the SSD, but I can't find the HDD in the BIOS or in windows? umm...

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

Did you plug it back in?
Check in Disk management.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

Sorry for the late response :/
The HDD shows up in devices and shows up as a storage device but i cant access it as a storage device. Also by 'disk management' do you mean 'disk space'? If not, how do I get to 'disk management'?

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Press Window button+X, select Disk management.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

nm I found disk management, but what do I do now? The HDD is there but is unallocated. What do I do to it to get it working properly and be able to access it? Thank you for all your amazing help

I'll select one of your earlier posts as the answer when I hear back from you

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

Right click on it and format it.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

Does that mean I right click and click 'Convert to MBR Disk'? Or do I click 'Convert to Dynamic Disk'? There is no plain 'Format' option...

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Maximoford :

Suztera :

Does that mean I right click and click 'Convert to MBR Disk'? Or do I click 'Convert to Dynamic Disk'? There is no plain 'Format' option...

I assumed you didn't install Window 8.1 in UEFI, choose "convert to MBR disk" then.

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Suztera :

Maximoford :

I assumed you didn't install Window 8.1 in UEFI, choose "convert to MBR disk" then.

I've converted it and nothing has changed :/

Suztera · Jul 24, 2015

Did you right click on the partitions (The sections that are coloured in either black/blue)

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

yea i right clicked on the hdd it had a black line the ssd had a blue one

Maximoford · Jul 24, 2015

Done now thanks!!

[Pictures] My parts (SSD/HDD) are not showing up in my BIOS's boot order and I can't override/choose which drive to boot from!

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