Question Laptop can't read any of my drives?

[aarono123]

I have a Lenovo IdeaPad S400 Touch. It has a 500gb HDD and it can't load into windows 10 unless I restart the computer multiple times. I replaced the HDD with a Crucial 500gb SSD and I am now trying to install Windows 10 from the HDD onto the SSD, but the Laptop can't find my SSD. There is no boot device detected. This was the issue with the HDD in the first place, so I thought if I replaced the HDD with an SSD, then I could fix the issue, but my laptop just won't find any device. Does this mean I should give up on my laptop?

 

[velocityg4]

Your SSD has no OS. It can't be booted from until an OS is installed.

Create a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 10 onto the SSD. Leaving the HDD out of the laptop. Once the SSD is properly formatted and Windows 10 installed. Then you can plug the HDD back in and transfer your files from the old HDD. You'll need to reinstall software and reset settings manually.

1. Use the Media Creation Tool to create installation media. See section"Using the tool to create installation media..." https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
2. Remove the HDD if you have not already done so. You just want the SSD in there for now.
3. Plug in the flash drive, turn on the Lenovo then start to tap F12 immediately until you see the boot device selection menu.
4. Choose your USB installation media and press enter
5. Choose the appropriate language, time, keyboard for you and click Next.
6. Choose Install Now
7. If asked to enter a product key just skip if you don't know it. If you skipped select the version which came with your laptop home or pro, don't worry about n-versions. This is important. If you choose the correct version home/pro. It will automatically activate once you connect to the internet. If you choose the wrong version. You'll have to start the process all over again. Actually you can convert but reinstalling is easier on a clean installation.
8. Windows Setup: Choose Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced) (Upgrade will just result in a warning and a reboot)
9. Select each partition for your SSD (if more than one). On each one click delete (careful if you didn't remove your HDD). You'll just be left with the drive as Unallocated space. Make sure it is highlighted and click next.
10. Go do something else. The next part is automated and can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on the speed of the installation media and device.
11. Answer the questions it asks you. If you don't want a Microsoft account choose "Skip this step" and use a local account. I also leave the password blank as it will force you to make a hint here. Whereas you can create a password later without a hint.
12. Wait again
13. Turn off automatic downloads in the Microsoft store and remove the steaming pile of junk apps and games the Microsoft store app just dumped on your PC.
14. Take the time to go through your privacy settings and notifications (I just turn all the notification junk off)
15. Connect your old HDD and transfer your files. You'll need to take ownership of your user folders to access them. https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/take-ownership-folder-windows-10-using-file-explorer
16. Install your software.