Question Pc Won't start with HDD disconnected

[Torq2]

Hi,
I have a weird problem with my PC startup. I have a WD 2Tb external hard drive connected through usb.
Last week the PC started running very slowly. I ran a few virus checker tests which showed clear. I then run a check disk on my drives. The WD 2Tb drive checked fine until I checked the last partition. The PC hung and wouldn't continue to the end of the test.
I figured that there was a problem with that part of the disc, so I ordered another disk. I'm still awaiting delivery.

However, here is the weird part. I decided to disconnect the drive, after all it is just an external one. When I started my PC the next day the screen went black and a small cursor flashed in the top corner. Windows 10 wouldn't start.
So, I connected the drive and rebooted and the PC started. I then went into the bios to look at the boot sequence, but the external drive doesn't show. Now, I start my PC, when I get to the log in screen, I disconnect the hard drive. The pc then starts and runs perfectly fine. Reconnecting the drive causes it to run slow again.

I am at a total loss as to why the PC won't start with an external drive disconnected. what difference does it make to the PC if it is there or not. It only contains my files. When the new drive arrives, I will transfer my files to that and format the old drive in the hope that I can still use it for backup. However, I am a little concerned that if I format this drive my PC will not start and I won't have the drive in the original state to connect.

It could be that the new drive will work fine and everything will work out. I am still left wondering why the PC won't start up without the external hard drive disconnected.

Regards

 

[rgd1101]

check what partition is on the external hdd?

 

[Torq2]

check what partition is on the external hdd?

Hi,

I'm not sure what you mean. I have 4 partitions on the drive. Each one contains files for different interests. I.E music, photos etc. my system is on a seperate ssd drive.

 

[Lafong]

I'm a bit confused.

You say:

"the PC won't start with an external drive disconnected."

And you say:

"the PC won't start up without the external hard drive disconnected."

Does the PC start ONLY if the external is connected?

Or do I misunderstand?

 

[Torq2]

I'm a bit confused.

You say:

"the PC won't start with an external drive disconnected."

And you say:

"the PC won't start up without the external hard drive disconnected."

Does the PC start ONLY if the external is connected?

Or do I misunderstand?

I'm a bit confused.

You say:

"the PC won't start with an external drive disconnected."

And you say:

"the PC won't start up without the external hard drive disconnected."

Does the PC start ONLY if the external is connected?

Or do I misunderstand?

Sorry. I'll try and clarify. The PC will only start with the hdd connected. If I disconnect it it shows only a black screen and flashing cursor. If I connect the hard drive it will start up but very slowly, and the pc runs very slowly. So what I do is start the pc up until I have the log in screen for win 10. I then disconnect the hdd and login in. The pc will then run normally, but without the hdd connected.

 

[Lafong]

If it won't start from the INTERNAL drive ALONE, that may indicate that some Windows files are on the external.

But the external of course could be quite ill and therefore you are having trouble even if it is connected.

Just my speculation offhand.

Ideally, you want all Windows components on an internal.

 

[Torq2]

If it won't start from the INTERNAL drive ALONE, that may indicate that some Windows files are on the external.

But the external of course could be quite ill and therefore you are having trouble even if it is connected.

Just my speculation offhand.

Ideally, you want all Windows components on an internal.

Thanks.
The same thing did occur to me, but I couldn't see how the files could have gotten into the drive. When I installed windows, I only had the ssd drive connected. Anyway, the new drive arrives tomorrow and I'll back up the old drive onto that, then format it, and hopefully all will be well. Unless of course as you say there are some windows files on the external drive. Either way, I have a bad feeling that this is heading to a complete new windows install.

 

[MWink64]

Do you have ANY other external media connected to the system (external hard drives, flash drives, SD cards, etc.)? If so, try disconnecting them as well. It's a long shot but I've seen some machines get stuck trying to boot from unbootable drives. Though, that still may not explain why that external HD does make it boot.

 

[Torq2]

Do you have ANY other external media connected to the system (external hard drives, flash drives, SD cards, etc.)? If so, try disconnecting them as well. It's a long shot but I've seen some machines get stuck trying to boot from unbootable drives. Though, that still may not explain why that external HD does make it boot.

Yes, I have another hdd. I disconnected both and restarted, but I got the same result. It did say though, "please reboot to a bootable hard drive." or words to that effect. Which is again strange, as when I go into bios, the ssd drive is the boot drive and the external drive isn't listed.

 

[MWink64]

On modern UEFI machines, you often don't want the SSD/HD itself selected as the boot device (unless you're using the CSM to boot in legacy mode). Is there an entry for Windows Boot Manager (or something similar)?

 

[Torq2]

On modern UEFI machines, you often don't want the SSD/HD itself selected as the boot device (unless you're using the CSM to boot in legacy mode). Is there an entry for Windows Boot Manager (or something similar)?

Hi,
Here is exactly what it is saying with hdd disconnected. "Reboot and select proper boot device, or insert boot media in selected boot device and press any key". I looked in bios at startup and the ssd drive is first in line followed by two other internal drives. It is as if it thinks that the operating system is on this drive, when it is not.
Everything was working fine up until last week when the WD 2Tb drive seemed to have a problem in one of the partitions. I have managed to copy most of my files onto the other drives, but I ran out of space. Until the new hdd arrives I just have to wait to copy the rest.
Like I say, it doesn't make sense. I have disconnected this drive before with no problems. I tend not to install any programs on this drive, it is just storage.