Question Please help with removing an old hard drive

[arkenax]

Hey, I am buying a new SSD tomorrow and wanted to get my computer ready today.

I have two drives, a 120gb ssd (C drive) which windows is installed on, and an 300gb hard drive (F Drive), which is the one I want to remove.

When I remove the old hard drive and then boot up my computer, I get the message "reboot and select proper boot device". I have made sure to double check that the 120gb ssd is the one with windows installed on it.

I followed some steps on the internet and changed the boot sequence so that windows boot manager was on top but this did not solve the issue. One thing I did notice was that when I put the boot manager on top then clicked save and exit, the next time I went into my boot sequence the boot manager had been automatically placed on the bottom again. I then plugged my old hard drive back in, went into the bios settings and moved the windows boot manager on top again and now my computer will boot into windows like normal without displaying a "reboot and select proper boot device message".

Is it possible that my old hard drive has critical files on it that my computer needs in order to boot? If so how do I check? Also is there a step I am missing?

It's worth noting that I do not care about the data I have on my old hard drive as it is almost entirely games.

Here is a couple pictures of what my boot sequence looks like with and without the old hard drive;

https://imgur.com/a/ud5DqDg

View: https://imgur.com/a/ud5DqDg


Here is a screenshot of my Disk Management in windows;

https://imgur.com/a/iCpTm1V

View: https://imgur.com/a/iCpTm1V


I thought about using the windows disk management tool in order too select my old hard drive and "delete volume" but I am nervous to do this as my computer will not boot into windows without it.

I think the problem may be that my windows boot manager is on my old Hard Drive and not my SSD, how do I change it?

If any more information is need in order to help, please just let me know and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can with more information. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am very lost.

 

[USAFRet]

The 100MB EFI partition on Disk 0, the 320GB HDD, is where the boot info lives.

You can either do a full reinstall on the 120GB Disk 1 (with only that drive connected), or attempt to build new boot partition on the 120GB drive.
@SkyNetRising has procedures to build that boot partition on that Disk 1.

But.....given this is a 120GB SSD...Why are you wanting to use that as the OS drive?
In 2023, that is really too small for actual use.

 

[MWink64]

The EFI partition is on the HD. That's almost certainly your problem. However, I'm not sure how to fix it. On the plus side, you have unallocated space on the SSD where one could go.

 

[arkenax]

The 100MB EFI partition on Disk 0, the 320GB HDD, is where the boot info lives.

You can either do a full reinstall on the 120GB Disk 1 (with only that drive connected), or attempt to build new boot partition on the 120GB drive.
@SkyNetRising has procedures to build that boot partition on that Disk 1.

But.....given this is a 120GB SSD...Why are you wanting to use that as the OS drive?
In 2023, that is really too small for actual use.

I skimped out on storage space like an idiot when I bought my PC, windows only seems to take up around 60gb or space so I assumed my OS would be fine on a small 120gb SSD, is that not the case?

 

[USAFRet]

I skimped out on storage space like an idiot when I bought my PC, windows only seems to take up around 60gb or space so I assumed my OS would be fine on a small 120gb SSD, is that not the case?

Will it fit?
Yes.

Is it good for ongoing use?
Absolutely not.

My current C drive, which almost entirely just the OS and applications, consumes around 220GB.
No 'data' or games at all.

A 120GB drive has not been sufficient for several years.

 

[arkenax]

Will it fit?
Yes.

Is it good for ongoing use?
Absolutely not.

My current C drive, which almost entirely just the OS and applications, consumes around 220GB.
No 'data' or games at all.

A 120GB drive has not been sufficient for several years.

I have always made sure to have at least 30gb of space free on my SSD to accommodate my OS. As long I have free space it should be ok, right? If not I am installing a 480gb SSD tomorrow and can move the OS over to that drive if needed.

 

[USAFRet]

I have always made sure to have at least 30gb of space free on my SSD to accommodate my OS. As long I have free space it should be ok, right? If not I am installing a 480gb SSD tomorrow and can move the OS over to that drive if needed.

Besides the 120GB, what other drives will be in this?
What do you use the system for?

"moving" (cloning) to a 480GB is only an option after it all works on the single 120GB by itself.

 

[arkenax]

Besides the 120GB, what other drives will be in this?
What do you use the system for?

"moving" (cloning) to a 480GB is only an option after it all works on the single 120GB by itself.

I plan on having the 120bg SSD be dedicated to my OS and pretty much nothing else, and then having my new 480gb SSD to have my programs and games on. I mainly use the PC to place games on.

 

[USAFRet]

I plan on having the 120bg SSD be dedicated to my OS and pretty much nothing else, and then having my new 480gb SSD to have my programs and games on. I mainly use the PC to place games on.

OS and programs should go on the same physical drive. There is no benefit in having programs on a different drive.
Ganes, yes, applications, no.

I strongly suggest the 480GB for the OS, applications, and a game or two.
The 120GB for other games.

 

[arkenax]

I created a new EFI partition on my SSD but it has not seemed to solve the issue. After creating the EFI partition on my 120gb SSD, I turned off my computer and then removed my 300gb Hard Drive. I then went into the boot sequence on my BIOS settings and placed the windows boot manager at the top and tried to boot into windows and I was met with the "reboot and select proper boot device" message again.

One thing I did notice was that the windows boot manager has my 300gb Hard Drive in brackets next to it (this can be seen in my original post) but when I remove it there is nothing next to it, I think my 120gb SSD should be next to it in brackets?

Do I somehow need to manually change the Windows Boot Manager drive?

I'm very sorry about the dumb questions and poor explanations, I really am out of my depth here.

https://imgur.com/a/lE2dLy6

View: https://imgur.com/a/lE2dLy6

 

[USAFRet]

I created a new EFI partition on my SSD but it has not seemed to solve the issue. After creating the EFI partition on my 120gb SSD, I turned off my computer and then removed my 300gb Hard Drive. I then went into the boot sequence on my BIOS settings and placed the windows boot manager at the top and tried to boot into windows and I was met with the "reboot and select proper boot device" message again.

One thing I did notice was that the windows boot manager has my 300gb Hard Drive in brackets next to it but when I remove it there is nothing next to it, I think my 120gb SSD should be next to it in brackets?

Do I somehow need to manually change the Windows Boot Manager drive?

I'm very sorry about the dumb questions and poor explanations, I really am out of my depth here.

There are other steps needed.
The person I tagged above may chime in with the exact procedure.

Or, just do a new OS install on the new 480GB you'll buy.

 

[arkenax]

There are other steps needed.
The person I tagged above may chime in with the exact procedure.

Or, just do a new OS install on the new 480GB you'll buy.

I don't have a windows installation disk / disk drive and I do not have a usb big enough to store windows on it. I bought this PC from a local private builder a few years ago. Am I able to do a fresh OS install without those tools? Also would that involve needing to have my all three drives (my 120gb ssd / my old 300gb hard drive / my new 480gb ssd) connected to my pc in order to do a new OS install?

I could be very wrong here and correct me if I am but creating a new boot drive on my 120gb ssd seems like it would be the more hassle free option? If so I would just like to do that to get this over with as this situation has me stressed and Id like to get it over with.

I really appreciate you taking the time to help someone as clueless as me haha

 

[USAFRet]

I don't have a windows installation disk / disk drive and I do not have a usb big enough to store windows on it. I bought this PC from a local private builder a few years ago. Am I able to do a fresh OS install without those tools? Also would that involve needing to have my all three drives (my 120gb ssd / my old 300gb hard drive / my new 480gb ssd) connected to my pc in order to do a new OS install?

I could be very wrong here and correct me if I am but creating a new boot drive on my 120gb ssd seems like it would be the more hassle free option? If so I would just like to do that to get this over with as this situation has me stressed and Id like to get it over with.

I really appreciate you taking the time to help someone as clueless as me haha

For a used system, the very first thing you need to do is a full wipe and reinstall.
This is for your protection. Seriously.

I'm guessing you did not do this?

For an OS install, all you need is an 8GB USB stick.
Do you have one of these?

Download Windows 10

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Bob.B]

I plan on having the 120bg SSD be dedicated to my OS and pretty much nothing else, and then having my new 480gb SSD to have my programs and games on. I mainly use the PC to place games on.

If windows and the apps are leaving 50GB+ free space on the ssd you should be fine for now.

Learn how to tidy up every so often just to clean out the crud.

Keep and eye on free space and if things start to get tight put a larger ssd on the shopping list.

 

[arkenax]

For a used system, the very first thing you need to do is a full wipe and reinstall.
This is for your protection. Seriously.

I'm guessing you did not do this?

For an OS install, all you need is an 8GB USB stick.
Do you have one of these?

Download Windows 10

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

I have never installed a fresh Windows myself since getting the PC. I know it doesnt really make the situation any better but I did buy the PC from a very reputable seller.

I believe I have an 8gb USB somewhere. Since windows takes around 40gb of storage on my 120gb SSD I assumed I would need a 40gb USB. I will attempt to install a fresh OS with my new SSD tomorrow when I get it.

Will having an OS on my 120gb SSD as well as my new 480gb SSD create any complications? Do I just simply need to reformat my 120gb SSD when I have a new OS on my 480gb SSD or will I have to go through a whole new process?

 

[USAFRet]

I have never installed a fresh Windows myself since getting the PC. I know it doesnt really make the situation any better but I did buy the PC from a very reputable seller.

I believe I have an 8gb USB somewhere. Since windows takes around 40gb of storage on my 120gb SSD I assumed I would need a 40gb USB. I will attempt to install a fresh OS with my new SSD tomorrow when I get it.

Will having an OS on my 120gb SSD as well as my new 480gb SSD create any complications? Do I just simply need to reformat my 120gb SSD when I have a new OS on my 480gb SSD or will I have to go through a whole new process?

After you have the OS installed and running on the 480GB, then you reconnect the 120GB, and DELETE all existing partitions.

As per the linked instructions, you install that OS on the 480GB while it is the only drive physically connected.

 

[arkenax]

After you have the OS installed and running on the 480GB, then you reconnect the 120GB, and DELETE all existing partitions.

As per the linked instructions, you install that OS on the 480GB while it is the only drive physically connected.

Got it, thank you very much for all your help.

 

[USAFRet]

Got it, thank you very much for all your help.

Good luck, and ask if you have any questions or issues.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I created a new EFI partition on my SSD but it has not seemed to solve the issue.

Creating an empty EFI partition is not enough.
It has to be formatted, then bootloader has to be installed onto it.

Execute following from elevated command prompt. Regular command prompt will give error on last step.
If you get any errors, then stop immediately.

diskpart
list disk
select disk 1
(select 111GB disk)
list partition
select partition x
(select 500MB EFI partition, x=1 or x=2)
(make sure, you have selected correct partition, next step will format/erase it)
format fs=fat32 quick
assign letter=H
exit
bcdboot C:\windows /s H:

Last message should be "Boot files created sucessfully".
Then shut down your pc, remove old HDD, adjust boot priority in BIOS and try to boot into windows.

 

[arkenax]

Creating an empty EFI partition is not enough.
It has to be formatted, then bootloader has to be installed onto it.

Execute following from elevated command prompt. Regular command prompt will give error on last step.
If you get any errors, then stop immediately.

diskpart
list disk
select disk 1
(select 111GB disk)
list partition
select partition x
(select 500MB EFI partition, x=1 or x=2)
(make sure, you have selected correct partition, next step will format/erase it)
format fs=fat32 quick
assign letter=H
exit
bcdboot C:\windows /s H:

Last message should be "Boot files created sucessfully".
Then shut down your pc, remove old HDD, adjust boot priority in BIOS and try to boot into windows.

Thank you very much for the concise and easy to follow instructions! However I decided to just do a fresh OS install on my new 480gb SSD.

This was my first time ever using Toms Hardware and everyone has been extremely helpful and it has honestly blown me away with how helpful everyone was. Thank you very much.

 

[arkenax]

Good luck, and ask if you have any questions or issues.

Hey, I managed to successfully install a new OS onto my new SSD, Everything seems to be working as it should, at least from what I can tell. I'll leave a new screen shot of my disk manager just in case i'm missing something.

https://imgur.com/a/3W2AqNS

View: https://imgur.com/a/3W2AqNS


Once again, thank you very much for all your help. I honestly don't know if I would have managed to sort out my issue without your help haha.