Computer won't boot correctly from SSD

[bryan56]

Hi all,

My build:
MOBO: MSI Z97 PC Mate LGA 1150
SSD: Samsung 850 Evo 250GB
HDD: Western Digital 1TB blue
OS: Windows 10 Pro

I'm having difficulties getting my new computer to boot from my Samsung 850 Evo 250GB SSD. I installed Windows 8.1 Pro for Students on my SSD, then immediately upgraded to Windows 10 (so I don't know if this could be the issue). I can use my computer just fine, but every time I shut it down or restart it (putting to sleep is fine), it flashes the BIOS screen (but doesn't let me access the BIOS), then gives the error message:
"Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key_"
I then simply have to turn off my PC, unplug then replug the SATA cable for either my HDD or SSD, and reboot, and I can access my BIOS. Initially, I saw that under my "boot" settings that my Boot Option #1 was my HDD instead of my SSD, and that under "Hard Disk Drive BBS priorities", it had my HDD listed as the #1 spot and my HDD in the #2 spot. I swapped these two and saved everything, then rebooted from the BIOS page and everything works fine. However, this didn't fix the problem because as soon as I shut my computer down again, the same thing happened. This time, though, when I go to the "boot" settings in my BIOS, it recognizes the SSD as boot priority #1 in the "Fixed Order Priorities" and in the "Hard Disk Drive BBS properties". Also: along the way, I received a couple of error screens upon booting with the code 0xc000000e, claiming that my PC needed repairing. However, these went away as soon as I unplugged and replugged a SATA cable for my SSD or HDD.

So, in short, I can access and use my PC after shutdown, but only after unplugging a SATA cable for either my HDD or SSD, booting, then accessing my BIOS page to reboot from there. Any help on this issue would be appreciated! I can't figure out what's going on!

 

[siRwSsi]

Go to bios by pressing delete or f2 or etc rapidly while booting

 

[bryan56]

Go to bios by pressing delete or f2 or etc rapidly while booting

I've tried doing that, but it doesn't work, no matter how rapidly I press delete or F4. Also: it would be nice to not have to access my BIOS page every time I wanted to turn on or restart my computer. I'd rather have it just boot the way it's programmed to the first time.

 

[siRwSsi]

Well you have to go to bios in order to boot

 

[CNCSIT]

If you can get into bios, try flashing a new bios version. you will have to download the update from another machine though if you cant get into windows.

 

[bryan56]

Well you have to go to bios in order to boot

I don't think I should have to go to my BIOS every time I want to turn my computer on. Is that really true? Shouldn't I just be able to set my boot settings correctly in my BIOS, then when I turn my PC on, it should just start up normally?

 

[CNCSIT]

No you don't need to go into your BIOS every time it just needs to boot\post. since windows 10 is rather new updating your bios a good first step.

 

[CNCSIT]

Also try disconnecting your other drives and make sure the SSD is connected to SATA port 0. then try to reboot. You can also reset your BIOS to default settings and try rebooting

 

[bryan56]

If you can get into bios, try flashing a new bios version. you will have to download the update from another machine though if you cant get into windows.

I can get into Windows 10 and use my computer, it just requires me to unplug and replug in one of my SATA cables, and then to restart my PC from my BIOS page. It's not a huge problem, just a bit of a nuisance I would like to clear up. I'll try installing a new bios version when I get home from work tonight. Is this hard to do, and will I need a floppy disk? I think my mobo supports a USB drive, but I can't remember.

 

[bryan56]

Also try disconnecting your other drives and make sure the SSD is connected to SATA port 0. then try to reboot. You can also reset your BIOS to default settings and try rebooting

I think my motherboard only has SATA ports 1-6, and my SSD is plugged into SATA port 1 and my HDD into SATA port 5. I'll try resetting my BIOS to default settings, but will I lose anything in the process?

 

[CNCSIT]

typically you need to go to the manufacturer site and get the file then place it on a usb stick boot into bios and there is typically an update utility, i think they call it M-flash. This really sounds like a boot order problem to me so I would try the disconnecting all other drives thing first before you update though. if you reset you shouldn't lose to much provided you havnt done any overclocking or tweking in the bios prior to this

 

[bryan56]

Update: After resetting my motherboard to default settings, the problem has been solved. The reset placed "UEFI Hard Drive" as my first priority, which apparently recognizes my SSD as the boot drive. Thanks for all of the help!