Question Windows won't boot after replacing Intel Optane with an M.2 SSD ?

[Jamesb8488]

I’ve been trying that using the leaky and I’ve tried using the F2 key and neither one works. It goes straight to the screen every time

Does the old HDD work and boot? If it does plug that in try to get into bios with that. Change the boot order to the new drive , then unplug the old hdd after you restart. Remember all bios changes are saved to the motherboard and not the drives

 

[fishindamarket]

Old HDD is plugged back in as well. Still same issue.
I still have the SDD plugged in as well. 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[Jamesb8488]

Old HDD is plugged back in as well. Still same issue.
I still have the SDD plugged in as well. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Take out the new ssd that was freshly cloned. So that is only the old hdd

 

[fishindamarket]

Did that. Same issue

 

[Jamesb8488]

Weird. Nothing should stop you from getting into bios.

• Here's a list of some of the most common setup keys by manufacturer:
  • Acer: F2 or DEL
  • ASUS: F2 or Del
  • Dell: F2 or F12
  • HP: ESC or F10
  • Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2
  • Lenovo Desktops: F1
  • Lenovo ThinkPads: Enter + F1.
  • MSI: DEL for motherboards and PCs
  • Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold the volume-up button.
  • Origin PC: F2
  • Samsung: F2
  • Sony: F1, F2, or F3
  • Toshiba: F2
• If you don’t hit the key in time, Windows will load and you will have to reboot and retry.

 

[fishindamarket]

I’ve tried all of these.

 

[fishindamarket]

See how quick bios flashes. Only for a quick sec. Although I’ve tried tapping repeatedly for every key try and no luck.

https://imgur.com/a/O0KBItM

View: https://imgur.com/a/O0KBItM

 

[Jamesb8488]

I’ve tried all of these.

You might need a tech to look at it.

 

[Jamesb8488]

See how quick bios flashes. Only for a quick sec. Although I’ve tried tapping repeatedly for every key try and no luck.

https://imgur.com/a/O0KBItM

View: https://imgur.com/a/O0KBItM

Spam del from the moment you press the power button. Msi is del for bios. The one above your arrow keys

 

[fishindamarket]

I did that. Also did F2 because those are most common. Also tried every other f key.

 

[Jamesb8488]

I did that. Also did F2 because those are most common. Also tried every other f key.

You gotta spam it. Bit if non of that works then you need to take it to a tech.

 

[rcald2000]

fishindamarket Hello. This previous posting is similar to your issue. Please read it and see if it offers any insight into your current problem:

M.2 SSD not showing up in Windows installer

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/m-2-ssd-not-showing-up-in-windows-installer.3771186/

 

[fishindamarket]

Thanks but that doesn’t help

 

[SkyNetRising]

Old HDD is plugged back in as well. Still same issue.
I still have the SDD plugged in as well. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Take out the new ssd that was freshly cloned. So that is only the old hdd

Did that. Same issue

Make sure HDD is connected to same sata port, it was connected before.
If you manage to boot into windows with old HDD, reconnect SSD and
show your clone result (screenshot from Disk Management).
I suspect, cloning was not done properly.

 

[fishindamarket]

Make sure HDD is connected to same sata port, it was connected before.
If you manage to boot into windows with old HDD, reconnect SSD and
show your clone result (screenshot from Disk Management).
I suspect, cloning was not done properly.

How do I do that? I can’t even get into windows. Can’t get past this black error screen. Can’t access bios.
HDD is in same slot still did not work

 

[SkyNetRising]

Disconnect all drives. Should be able to get in BIOS then.
Make sure, to turn off fast boot in BIOS.

 

[fishindamarket]

i was able to access bios this morning. not sure what changed.
Fast Boot is off and has been off. I did not change it.

here's a breakdown of the BIOS Settings:

SATA MODE - AHCI Mode
M.2/Optane Genie - disabled

any idea what else to look at in bios?

I do have the SSD removed and only the HDD plugged in right now..

 

[SkyNetRising]

Check boot priority settings.
Windows Boot manager has to be first in boot order.
UEFI boot mode has to be enabled.

 

[fishindamarket]

Check boot priority settings.
Windows Boot manager has to be first in boot order.
UEFI boot mode has to be enabled.

See attached. Should boot mode select just be “uefi “ instead of “legacy/uefi”?
I’m not seeing any priority boot setting.

https://imgur.com/a/NOI1Cxo

View: https://imgur.com/a/NOI1Cxo

 

[fishindamarket]

Boot priority seems to be correct see attached

https://imgur.com/a/1XVRaOx

View: https://imgur.com/a/1XVRaOx

 

[SkyNetRising]

See attached. Should boot mode select just be “uefi “ instead of “legacy/uefi”?

Yes. Set boot mode to UEFI only.

I’m not seeing any priority boot setting.
Boot priority seems to be correct see attached

It's not correct.
Have only Boot option #1 enabled.
Set it to UEFI:Hard Disk Drive.

Disable all the other options #2 - #13.
Only other useful option would be UEFI:USB Hard Disk Drive -
for booting from USB windows installation media.
Rest of them you'll probably never have to use.

 

[fishindamarket]

Yes. Set boot mode to UEFI only.

It's not correct.
Have only Boot option #1 enabled.
Set it to UEFI:Hard Disk Drive.

Disable all the other options #2 - #13.
Only other useful option would be UEFI:USB Hard Disk Drive -
for booting from USB windows installation media.
Rest of them you'll probably never have to use.

That seemed to work! i have rebooted and am in windows.
Now the question - can i still add in the SSD and if so, what steps to take so this doesn't happen again?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Disconnect HDD physically and
Try to boot with only SSD connected.

If that doesn't work, then reconnect HDD, boot into windows and
show screenshot from Disk Management (both HDD and SSD connected).

 

[fishindamarket]

Will do. Nothing else in the BIOS needs changed since the SSD is going in the M.2 slot and not the SATA slot like the HDD?

 

[fishindamarket]

I just tried to boot up with the SSD attached and the HDD unplugged completely.
WE ARE IN BUSINESS! thnak you everyone and @SkyNetRising

How would I now check to make sure the SSD is running correctly and up to it's caliber?
And anything else i should do when installing a new SSD?
Any bios settings to adjust such as Enabling Fast Boot or anything else?