No boot after removing 2nd hard drive

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by max123, Oct 31, 2012.

  1. max123

    max123 MDL Novice

    Oct 31, 2012
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    #1 max123, Oct 31, 2012
    Clean install win 8 no problems, everything working fine.
    Put 2nd hd in removable bay to back up to, all is well.

    Problem is that if i remove the 2nd hd that system wont boot, just hangs at the bios screen logo.

    Suggestions ?
     
  2. Adidas

    Adidas MDL Novice

    Aug 26, 2009
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    #2 Adidas, Oct 31, 2012
    Maybe windows write the boot files to the second HDD. try to remove 2nd HDD, install WIN on 1st HDD and connect back the 2nd
     
  3. humbert

    humbert MDL Novice

    Sep 8, 2012
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    #3 humbert, Nov 1, 2012
    Exactly the same thing happened to me. I had 2 hard drives in there to begin with, but for some reason Windows 8 put the bootloader on D:>. I found about because bootmgr and a directory called Boot were both on there.

    You can solve the problem by either removing the 2nd HD or by deleting the boot stuff off drive D: by using Hiren's boot disk (or similar). After that, boot from your Windows DVD or Flashdrive and simply perform a repair. That'll fix the problem.
     
  4. Rock Hunter

    Rock Hunter MDL Senior Member

    Dec 6, 2011
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    #4 Rock Hunter, Nov 1, 2012
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2012
    Or install Easy BCD 2.2 to manage booting. Allows easy changing boot drives and is especially useful if you dual boot. In my case I quad boot. Yes, 4 different versions of Windows on one disk and Easy BCD makes it very easy to switch between them.