Computer will not boot when i pull a new hard drive that is not in use

[HilmerB]

Hello,

I recently put a 2tb hdd into my computer but realized i am not using it, i have absolutely nothing on there and it was installed quite a while after i built this comp. What might be causing this and how can i pull this hard drive safely?

 

[J_E_D_70]

Did you reinstall or repair windows after you put the new drive in?

Where in the process does it hang and what's the error?

 

[avenseth12]

I dont understand but here is how you pull the drive.

1. Power down your PC
2. Unplug the power supply cable from the power supply
3. Open your PC case
4. Unplug the power supply cable from the Hard Drive you want out
5. Unplug the sata cable from the drive.
6. If the drive is on a drive rail - unlatch it and slide the drive out.
7. If the drive is screwed in remove the screws and pull it out.
8. Unplug the sata cable from your mobo and remove from your case
9. Close your case and done

 

[chriss000]

I believe , as does the above , you might be suffering from 'master boot record error'. where windows falls on its face if you take out a drive that was in when it was configured. I dont think there is any way around this except a re install/repair? of windows without the drive in. I may be mistaken.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Should be wble to do a mbr repair with windows disk.

 

[chriss000]

Should be wble to do a mbr repair with windows disk.

To be honest, I know these things are not cheap but if you dont need the other drive for anything, its hardly worth the agro. If you put the drive back in the pc will boot up fine; Its up to you.

 

[HilmerB]

Yeah, i did a repair with the original install disk once the hdd was out and it started to boot properly again. Thank you everyone for the replies, they really helped me troubleshoot.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Great!