This is actually a solution to a IDE specific boot issue (which may even apply to Vista).
I have been trying to test Windows 7 professional on a spare work PC. The standard build for us is Intel Duo 2180 CPU, 2Gb RAM, single 200+Gb HDD, DVD-ROM/RW, on board sound/graphics - nothing fancy or esoteric.
Our machines have been upgraded over the years (new motherboards, PSU's, etc), many still in the cases they had 5+ years ago (Our Vista 'test' machine was newly built when Vista was released). This test PC had a single 320Gb Seagate IDE HDD. Despite running with XP-SP3 for the last two years or so without issue, Windows 7 Pro would install OK, but not boot from the drive unless the DVD was in and the system looked there first (I was aware of the 'system drive' issue often talked about). After 11 installs trying various 'tweaks' and even BIOS flashing - motherboard is only 6 months old - nothing seemed to work.
Suspecting a (previously unseen) hard drive fault, I opened the case to check serial numbers for warranty and noticed an 'original' IDE cable (not a current ultraATA cable). I don't know why, but I decided to change the cable and try the install one more time, and IT WORKED! Boots every time.
It seems that Windows 7 can see/use IDE drives connected using the older IDE cables, but it will not boot from them (to test, I tried putting back a different, older IDE cable - it didn't boot, but swapped the ultraATA cable in and it was fine again).
I just hope this may help anyone with upgraded older machines having 'inexplicable' boot problems with Windows 7
I have been trying to test Windows 7 professional on a spare work PC. The standard build for us is Intel Duo 2180 CPU, 2Gb RAM, single 200+Gb HDD, DVD-ROM/RW, on board sound/graphics - nothing fancy or esoteric.
Our machines have been upgraded over the years (new motherboards, PSU's, etc), many still in the cases they had 5+ years ago (Our Vista 'test' machine was newly built when Vista was released). This test PC had a single 320Gb Seagate IDE HDD. Despite running with XP-SP3 for the last two years or so without issue, Windows 7 Pro would install OK, but not boot from the drive unless the DVD was in and the system looked there first (I was aware of the 'system drive' issue often talked about). After 11 installs trying various 'tweaks' and even BIOS flashing - motherboard is only 6 months old - nothing seemed to work.
Suspecting a (previously unseen) hard drive fault, I opened the case to check serial numbers for warranty and noticed an 'original' IDE cable (not a current ultraATA cable). I don't know why, but I decided to change the cable and try the install one more time, and IT WORKED! Boots every time.
It seems that Windows 7 can see/use IDE drives connected using the older IDE cables, but it will not boot from them (to test, I tried putting back a different, older IDE cable - it didn't boot, but swapped the ultraATA cable in and it was fine again).
I just hope this may help anyone with upgraded older machines having 'inexplicable' boot problems with Windows 7