Desktop stuck at BIOS splash screen when SSD attached

[VT10T5]

Previously, I ran only a single HDD, but decided this go-round to treat myself to an SSD for faster boot and, hopefully, some improved reliability, plus an HDD for storage capacity. However, two days in I am running into issues.

Was running fine for after SSD/HDD install (previous HDD had died), then suddenly the computer decided to hang up, unresponsive, at the BIOS splash screen whenever the SSD was attached via SATA data cable (connected to power but not data, it acts as expected: calls for a boot disk).

Drives are:
120GB Kingston SSD (only thing I've loaded on it is Windows 7 64-bit, Office 2007, and device drivers).
1 TB Seagate (HDD only SWTOR has been loaded on it)

If I switch the SATA data cable from HDD to SDD upon "insert boot disk" prompt, I get a successful boot, though I can't imagine why that would work, or at least what kind of fault would create that sort of symptom. Is the SSD at fault or something else? What can I try for further diagnostics?

Also: how much risk is there in this debug procedure? I'm sure the risk of a static shock is the biggest, but is there anything else which risks harm to the computer?

Edit:
I should mention that the OS installation on the SSD was a clean install and done before connecting the HDD. I haven't registered Windows yet because I used a Win7 boot disk but my key is an upgrade (computer started with Vista) so Windows won't accept it, and I haven't been able to wrangle Microsoft support into a solution (other than their offering to sell me a new OS).

 

[spooky2th]

Install the SSD alone, in the original port where windows was installed, with no other drives. Use the windows install disk and select repair boot files option and see if you can boot. Make sure latest MB drivers and etc are installed and then add other drives after your system is running right. If you have more than one drive installed when installing windows, windows will install boot files on the other drives. If one fails then you will have problems booting.

 

[VT10T5]

Can't boot with the SSD installed. Using boot disk and swapping data cable from HDD to SSD I can get started but it can't repair, and now the previous workaround won't work (as if the repair attempt or data cable manipulations have affected the SSD files adversely).

Hmmmmm. Did a clean install onto the SSD but still hanging at the ASUS splash screen.

 

[spooky2th]

Sometimes a clean install is the best way to go. Install windows with just the SSD installed. Load MB drivers and etc, set up the bios and make sure your system is running right then install other drives. leave the SSD in the same port that windows was installed on unless you cloned the original boot drive. If cloned more the SSD to the old HDD boot port and see if it will boot by it's self.

 

[VT10T5]

Did a clean install, but had to do the old "boot from boot disk with the HDD attached, then switch the data cable to the SSD and refresh until the install program sees the SSD" to manage it. All seemed to be going well, then came the forced reboot after installing the files and I'm hung at the BIOS screen again, unresponsive.

 

[VT10T5]

Important(?) note: USB mouse not functional when doing the clean install to SSD from boot disk but okay at BIOS screen when SSD is not connected.

 

[spooky2th]

There are free apps to secure erase/optimize SSD's. This zero's out the whole SSD. Might try that then install the SSD alone and first boot into bios and make sure AHCI is set for one thing. Set optimized defaults first then check AHCI and memory speed & timings, save settings and boot up with boot disk inserted and load windows.

 

[VT10T5]

AHCI has always been set. Z77 mobo, and it looks like it defaults to it.

So to do that (erase/optimize SSD), I need another desktop to hook up to?

Tried formatting prior to clean install but Windows tells me it has an invalid NFTS on it. Guess that means something on the drive is really FUBAR now?

Thank you for your advice, btw!

 

[spooky2th]

Don't need to format a SSD. A secure erase then you should be able to install it into your system alone and install windows on it. Hopefully. You could have a defective SSD?

Go here and find the SSD app from Kingston.

http://www.kingston.com/us/support/technical/search

Called "ToolBox" or something? And yes, you will probably need to do this on a working computer. Unless the toolbox can be made into a boot app, with the SSD installed?

 

[VT10T5]

Lazy/frustrated I did a clean install to the SSD with both it and the HDD installed. Seems to have worked?!?

I don't see any new files on the HDD. Maybe I got away with it? SSD looks like it was scrubbed; no trace of any previously installed software or drivers on it.

I can't explain what the issue could have been, but we'll see how long my happiness lasts. Here's hoping my return to the site is as a browser and not a flustered poster!



Oh, and I figured out the mouse issue: was in the USB 3.0 port and activated when I loaded the mobo drivers.

 

[spooky2th]

Always glad to hear good news.