Question BIOS Won't Recognize Reinstalled SSD

[EricLane]

*I posted this issue in Storage forum but I think this may be a MOBO issue*

Tl;dr: I removed my SSD. I then reinstalled it. The SSD is listed in BIOS as a storage item. Flash BIOS shows me the contents of the drive (so it isnt corrupted). It won't let me choose that SSD to boot from. I've exhausted all options I can think of.

Story: I bought a new PC but I wanted to keep all my SSDs. I plan to sell my old PC, so I installed a new 500GB SSD. I downloaded Windows 11 onto a USB and bought a key online. I tried to install. Windows says the key is legit, but then is goes to a window that says "This PC doesn't currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11". That is when I realized the key was an UPGRADE key, not a fresh windows install key.

I took my old 1TB SSD with Windows 10 and reinstalled. I think that the upgrade key will work if I have windows 10 installed. However...

My BIOS will not let me select the 1TB Windows SSD in the boot selection. So I uninstalled the 500GB, and unplugged all sata cables except for the 1TB SSD. It does show the 1TB SSD in BIOS EZ Mode storage list. I also This PC doesn't currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 the SSD is not corrupted by using flash BIOS, where I can see the contents of the drive.

I am seeking advice on how to make this drive bootable in BIOS.

CASE: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower
MOBO: MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK LGA 1200 Intel Z490 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i7 10700K 3.8GHz 8-Core
COOLER: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: Zotac GTX 1080 AMP Extreme 8GB
PSU: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified
MEMORY: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3600

https://imgur.com/a/7eOGShs

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/bios-ssd-not-bootable-7eOGShs

 

[USAFRet]

OK...back story:
"I bought a new PC..."
Prebuilt? Did it come with its own preinstalled OS?

 

[EricLane]

OK...back story:
"I bought a new PC..."
Prebuilt? Did it come with its own preinstalled OS?

In the other thread you said there weren't different versions of Windows I could buy. As you can probably tell, I am not knowledgeable with computers.

I might have misunderstood you but chat GPT confirms there are different versions. Upgrade vs OEM vs New Build.

You also said I was limely scammed, even though the windows installer said the key was valid.

https://imgur.com/a/kFsq5hQ

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/windows-upgrade-options-kFsq5hQ

 

[EricLane]

OK...back story:
"I bought a new PC..."
Prebuilt? Did it come with its own preinstalled OS?

I built the pc myself and have upgraded varipus parts since about 2014.

 

[USAFRet]

ChatGPT is wildly unreliable.

For Win 10/11, there is no "upgrade key".

Again, you did not need to "buy" anything.

 

[stonecarver]

For the simplicity of of ruling out if other issue are the root cause of Windows 11 kicking out the install of the OS.

Install it without a key. When it asks if you have a Key just press no.

If it moves forward it was the key if it stalls the key had nothing to do with the issue.

Edit: also have it disconnected from the internet just in case windows updates are throwing a wrench in the gears. Not likely but just in case.

 

[EricLane]

For the simplicity of of ruling out if other issue are the root cause of Windows 11 kicking out the install of the OS.

Install it without a key. When it asks if you have a Key just press no.

If it moves forward it was the key if it stalls the key had nothing to do with the issue.

Edit: also have it disconnected from the internet just in case windows updates are throwing a wrench in the gears. Not likely but just in case.

This was it. I overlooked the option to install without a key. It is currently installing in my new SSD. Thanks!

 

[mikemid]

update your ssd firmware