ssd and hdd help

[Mitreable]

hi guys!

so i got an ssd for my computer. i used to have a hdd running the computer with the OS on it. now i unplugged my hdd and plugged the ssd in and installed W10 on the ssd. then i replugged the hdd to my computer and it boots from my ssd and cant find my hdd anymore. what have i done wrong? i did'nt delete any files on my hdd. i'd like to have my hdd as a "slave" for my ssd. is this how you do it?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hey there, Mitreable!

I'd recommend you to go to BIOS and make sure that the now secondary HDD is being detected there. I'd also suggest you try getting it recognized by resetting BIOS. It would get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults, so you'd need to reconfigure them, but it also might help the system recognize all the SATA drives connected to it. I'd also advise you to try plugging the HDD to a different SATA port and using a different SATA cable.

Even if you'd use the HDD as a slave, you'd need to reformat it in order to get rid of the OS and start anew. Make sure you have backed up your files from it beforehand, though. Reformatting would require you to erase all the data on it.

Hope this helps. Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Mitreable]

Hey there, Mitreable!

I'd recommend you to go to BIOS and make sure that the now secondary HDD is being detected there. I'd also suggest you try getting it recognized by resetting BIOS. It would get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults, so you'd need to reconfigure them, but it also might help the system recognize all the SATA drives connected to it. I'd also advise you to try plugging the HDD to a different SATA port and using a different SATA cable.

Even if you'd use the HDD as a slave, you'd need to reformat it in order to get rid of the OS and start anew. Make sure you have backed up your files from it beforehand, though. Reformatting would require you to erase all the data on it.

Hope this helps. Keep me posted!
SuperSoph_WD

The next problem is how do i boot into bios. My SSD boots into Windows so fast that the menu only shows up for a split second. And where can i reset the bios, is there any obvious way. Just making sure since i've never done it.

 

[hyfurd2112]

Is set up key F12? Whatever it is, spam the hell out of that key. Like press, press, press, press, press... you get the idea. I guarantee that will work. Go to storage tab (differs on different motherboards) and enable whatever SATA port your second hard drive is connected to.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

You can access BIOS using the access key(s) which depend on the motherboard manufacturer, @Mitreable. It sounds like you have fast boot enabled on the mobo by default, which is most probably why you only able to see it for a split second.

Let me know if you encounter any issues.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Mitreable]

You can access BIOS using the access key(s) which depend on the motherboard manufacturer, @Mitreable. It sounds like you have fast boot enabled on the mobo by default, which is most probably why you only able to see it for a split second.

Let me know if you encounter any issues.
SuperSoph_WD

I changed the sata cable on the HDD and when i booted it, it took a few extra seconds and i got into the BIOS and it found my HDD there now i reformated it and its all good, but 1 last question. Theres no files on my HDD now, can i just download files to it now?

 

[hyfurd2112]

Yep, the HDD is basically a storage partition that you can use to store anything.

 

[Mitreable]

Thanks guys!

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

I changed the sata cable on the HDD and when i booted it, it took a few extra seconds and i got into the BIOS and it found my HDD there now i reformated it and its all good, but 1 last question. Theres no files on my HDD now, can i just download files to it now?

I'm glad to hear that, @Mitreable!
Yes, as long as you have the HDD initialized and then partitioned and formatted, you should be able to access it through the File Explorer(This PC) in Windows. If you'd like to change the default install path to the secondary drive, so that it doesn't fill up your SSD, I'd advise you to check this Tom's Hardware tutorial on how to redirect the folders.

Best of luck! Hope I was helpful!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[hyfurd2112]

No problem.