"Reboot and select proper boot device" can't access Windows 10!

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Ransome

Ransome

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Installed a new Samsung SSD EVO 850.
That's a secondary drive - not a system drive.

My system drive remained my Crucial M4. I only swapped its stata port to another Intel Sata III 6Gb/s.

What can I do now?
Can't access Windows.
My Motherboard is Asus Sabertooth Z77.

 
Solution
SkyNetRising
You can fix it pretty easy:
  • 1. Shrink C: partition by 300mb;
    2. Create new primary partition in unallocated space (format ntfs, drive letter X: )
    3. Make new x: partition active;
    4. execute command from elevated command prompt
    • bcdboot c:\windows /s x:
    5. Reboot your PC, go into BIOS and change boot priority to boot from SSD and save BIOS settings;
    5. Reboot and verify in Disk Management, that partition X: has "system" in description.
Done. Now you can disconnect HDD and system will be able to boot without it.

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Ransome

Ransome

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I tried. Not entirely sure how. But I think I did. And nothing works. What the hell?
I only extracted both my old ssd and hdd drives. With the electric power off, prepared the new Samsung SSD abd plugged both SSDs inside only.
It should work.
:(
 
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Ransome

Ransome

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Tried. Not working.
Drive is recognize in Bios and there's no reason why it won't boot.

Is there even a different whether it use Sata 0 or 1 (Intel ports)?

Damn it all. I haven't changed a thing that should cause it. Heck I didn't even touch that SSD, basically
 
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Ransome

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I noticed sonething odd. The motherboard has my SSD as: P2: M4-CT256M4SSD2

Whats P2?
There's no Boot Priority menu section where I can rearrange drives.Not one that I can find.. I have the latest Bios of this mobo.
However In the main bios menu I see 1 drive on the bottom 'boot priority" abd if I press G8 for Boot Menu I can select it.

If I swap the drive back it says: P1: SSD....
But still won't work.
Tried resetting defaults with f5 numerous times. Nothing.
Tried Boot Override and it rebooted and did nothing.
My Asus Sabertooth Z77 bios is 2104 and I never had problems with it or the SSD. It was flawless a mere hour ago.

All I did was:
Turn off power from the electric socket splitter. Open case. Making sure I have no static on me.
Removing HDD and SSD by unplugging 4 cables. Mounting my SSD on the tray.
Putting both trays back.
Connecting both SaTA and both power cables. Close case. Power on.
Turn on the machine.

"Reboot and Select proper Boot device" or insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"...

I really need help
 
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Ransome

Ransome

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Its new. It should be empty.
Also I unplugged the new SSD and plugged the old SSD to Sata 1 exactly as before.
Even with 1 drive it still won't work.
Please read my above comment I updated it

I have done no change and didn't tinker with the old SSD at all.
 
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Ransome

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I can put ot this way.
I had 1 256 GB SSD with Windows 10 installed on it + apps + games.

And 1 2 TB HDD with games and storage.

All I did was removing the secondary - NO OS - HDD.
And plugging a new SSD to replace it.
Now it won't boot to Windows from the old SSD.
Even if I unplug the new SSD.
What could possibly cause this? How do I acess Windows?
 
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Ransome

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The WHAT NOW?? how did that ever happen?
I formatted my SSD in August but didn't format the HDD and installed Windows cleanly using a USB stick bootable drive (made from Media Creation Tool of Win10).
I don't remember doing anything like selecting my HDD. Installed Windows 10 cleanly on the SSD.
How the hell do I fix it?!
Please give me some advice.

Also, how do I prevent it in the future?
Should I have disconnected all other drives during Windows install? Is this common?

What is a boot manager anyway?Can i move the boot manager to my SSD?

Thank you.
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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This usually happens, when multiple drives are connected during windows install.
To avoid that, only one drive must be present during installation.

You can fix it by creating bootloader partition on SSD and fixing bootloader on it.

Can you connect hdd back, boot into windows and post screenshot from Disk Management?
 
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Ransome

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Here's a screenshot:
https://i.imgur.com/2PYitOj.png
2PYitOj.png


Yes, when I did the clean install of Windows 10 about a month ago - I had both my SSD and my HDD connected in.
I formatted my PC- deleted C drive (SSD), didn't touch the D drive (HDD). I then pressed on C and went on with Windows Installation.
Why would Windows "think" it's a good idea installing the boot manager on the wrong drive - and how did it happen?
What does Boot Manager mean anyway?

You said: "You can fix it by creating bootloader partition on SSD and fixing bootloader on it."
How can you create a bootloader partition? and why is it necessary?

Finally I just finished a 1 hour+ call with MS Support. All that they could do was to suggest downloading Win10 ISO from their site (Media Creation Tool) and then either installing it with a custom re-install or making a USB installation flash drive and doing a clean install.
I am seriously considering a full clean-install now.
What do you say?

 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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You can fix it pretty easy:
  • 1. Shrink C: partition by 300mb;
    2. Create new primary partition in unallocated space (format ntfs, drive letter X: )
    3. Make new x: partition active;
    4. execute command from elevated command prompt
    • bcdboot c:\windows /s x:
    5. Reboot your PC, go into BIOS and change boot priority to boot from SSD and save BIOS settings;
    5. Reboot and verify in Disk Management, that partition X: has "system" in description.
Done. Now you can disconnect HDD and system will be able to boot without it.

 
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Solution
Ransome

Ransome

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One more thing:
If I do go for the clean installation of Windows 10 fix - where would you suggest installing Windows itself?
The old Crucial M4 256GB SSD (from 2011/12)?
Or the new Samsung 850 Evo 1TB SSD (received today)?
Originally I thought I would just plug in the new EVO drive and install STEAM and GOG and make it a GAMING-only SSD.
Then keep my Crucial M4 SSD as an OS drive + applications and programs (MSI Afterburner, CCleaner, CPUZ etc).
Now I'm not so sure.
 
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Ransome

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Won't I get stuck with an annoying partition then?
Is there no way to make in embedded or merged into already existing C partition? (SSD)

Also is there a way to remove the "system" status from the HDD? And again -how did the bootloader ever got there?

Is it a normal state that Windows has a separate partition just for bootloader (whatever that is)?
Also, please notice my other questions at above post, as I consider the concept of clean install/re-install.


I know a lot of questions, but I need to understand this. Thanks a lot.
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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You can remove drive letter X: after bootloader is fixed. The partition will be invisible.

Yes, it's possible. But I wouldn't suggest doing that.

Yes it's standard way (how Microsoft intends it to be).

Yes, you can do that too. But it will require much, much more time than simply fixing bootloader.
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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If you decide to do clean install anyway, then it would depend on remaining life of Crucial drive, where to install OS.
If Crucial drive has plenty life left, then I'd install OS onto it and use Samsung 850 evo for game library.
If Crucial is at the end of it's life, then install OS onto Samsung 850 Evo.
 
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Ransome

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OK you solution seemed to have worked. I've also removed X letter now and got a few warning messages - but I'm going to reboot and check it out.
UPDATE: It works. Now the drive is hidden. Great.

Can I somehow remove the "system" status of the HDD? (meaning the boatloader in it too).


How would I even know if the Crucial's current life-span? It's not like SSD's has a bar of HP left. lol.
Furthermore from what I read - it's kind of unproved / unconfirmed at this current point if SSDs has a specific life-time or not. Like - whether they live X years or Y years utterly depends on their function and luck - and not some average life-span or wear & tear like Hard-Disks. Don't know if it's true or not.

 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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Can you post screenshot from Disk Management? HDD should have no "system" in the description.

Crucial has software for it. It's called Crucial Storage Executive. You can download it from Crucial web site.
2_575px.PNG

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/support-storage-executive?cm_re=hero-_-second-_-us-download-se

 
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Ransome

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Hey there!

I don't have the HDD connected anymore actually.
I only removed it like you said after powering down the pc, then rebooting.
I also posted a my CrystalDiskMark of my newly acquired Samsung 850 EVO SSD.
Are these good results? May I rest easy ;)
What do you think?
AQJ7JfW.png


I will try to install that software you linked and report.
Thank you so much for all the help and the information.
I've learned a lot.
And frankly I'm glad I got out of it without needing to do some custom-re-install of Windows 10 or a clean-install - like Microsoft suggested. Because I already did a full format+clean install merely a month ago.

 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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Yes - everything looks great there.
You don't have to worry about old bootloader remains on your HDD. They are hidden anyway.

If you absolutely want to get rid of those bootloader remains, then you'd have to delete certain files/folders from HDD:
(turn on visibility of hidden files in folder options first)
  • bootmgr
    bootnxt
    \boot
    \EFI
 
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Ransome

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Alright, I just checked with the Crucial Storage Executive both drives came in good health.
My crucial has reportedly used 4% of it's predicted lifespan. Not bad for nearly 9000 hours run, huh?

w9afqKz.jpg

l9WyTla.png


Once more, thanks a lot SkyNetRising.
Truly appreciate the help, info and accurate solution :bounce:
 
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