Windows 10 won't boot after removing a second hard drive with Windows 7 on it

[pewpewboomboom]

Built a computer about a week ago with 2 drives for storage. The first drive C: is a Samsung 960 EVO 250GB being used as the boot drive with all programs being installed on it so far. Second drive E: is a WD Blue 1TB from a relative with Windows 7 previously installed on it and has so far not been used. I noticed there was some important stuff that a relative forgot to back-up so I decided to remove the drive to return it. After turning off my PC and removing the E: drive, Windows 10 wouldn't boot up from the C: drive stating "Reboot and select proper boot device". After placing the E: drive back into the PC, it booted up perfectly fine right into Windows 10.

https://s2.postimg.org/fu4o5ja6h/2017-08-06.png

I'm guessing the issue is somehow related to the "System Reserved" portion being connected to the E: drive as shown in the screenshot.

 

[gardenman]

You installed Windows on your SSD *while* your HDD was hooked up? It's a common mistake. For some reason Windows will often put the System Reserved partition on the HDD (or use the one already there). It probably has something to do with boot order in BIOS.

I recommend a full system backup before doing anything below.

This page is dated but seems to fit your problem and has a solution:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/209885-bootmgr-move-c-easybcd.html
I hope the information on it is still valid. You may have to change the boot order in BIOS afterwards.

Maybe this can help, read SkyNetRising's answer here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3482884/windows-boot-hdd-ssd.html That answer is for Win 10.

Another option is to reinstall Windows on the SSD *after* the HDD is removed.

I've never had to do this. I can't really help you with this any further but I thought I'd give you that info. Remember to backup everything before trying any of the above. Good luck.

If you think those won't help, then reply back.

 

[pewpewboomboom]

You installed Windows on your SSD *while* your HDD was hooked up? It's a common mistake. For some reason Windows will often put the System Reserved partition on the HDD (or use the one already there). It probably has something to do with boot order in BIOS.

I recommend a full system backup before doing anything below.

This page is dated but seems to fit your problem and has a solution:
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/209885-bootmgr-move-c-easybcd.html
I hope the information on it is still valid. You may have to change the boot order in BIOS afterwards.

Maybe this can help, read SkyNetRising's answer here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3482884/windows-boot-hdd-ssd.html That answer is for Win 10.

Another option is to reinstall Windows on the SSD *after* the HDD is removed.

I've never had to do this. I can't really help you with this any further but I thought I'd give you that info. Remember to backup everything before trying any of the above. Good luck.

If you think those won't help, then reply back.

Both ideas didn't seem to work, so I'll just stick with the tried and true method of reinstalling Windows. Thank you for your help!

 

[gardenman]

Did you try EasyBCD? I just tried the link on that first page and noticed it asked for a login/password. I should have tested that first. That is just an old outdated link. You can download EasyBCD from here: http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/ There is a free version.

If you haven't re-installed yet it might be worth a try. I hope you get it fixed up, I'm sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[pewpewboomboom]

Did you try EasyBCD? I just tried the link on that first page and noticed it asked for a login/password. I should have tested that first. That is just an old outdated link. You can download EasyBCD from here: http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/ There is a free version.

If you haven't re-installed yet it might be worth a try. I hope you get it fixed up, I'm sorry I couldn't help more.

I think I had a brainfart when I was typing my reply. I only tried the second option because of the username requirement. I ended up reinstalling Windows since it was easy and quick (960 Evos rule). Thank you for your help regardless!

 

[Rdelaura]

Hi, I'd hate to bring this old topic up but I think I might be having a similar issue and was wondering some input. I built a new PC and pulled the hard drives from the old one except the SSD (which Windows is installed on). Now when I boot that old PC it shows the BIOS splash screen then flashes a bunch of times and goes into the BIOS. I select the SSD to boot from that Windows is installed on and it flashes and goes back to BIOS.

Do you believe I have the same issue? Will I lose everything if I use a USB stick and launch the Windows Media Creation Tool or will that fix it? Thanks for any input.