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Windows 10/11 Won’t Boot with 2nd Hard Drive [Solved]
If the PC won’t boot from a new hard drive, check our solutions
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Sometimes installing a 2nd hard drive may interrupt the default boot process and prevent your PC from booting. In addition, you may be unable to access your Windows PC because of computer won’t boot with the second hard drive plugged in.
Furthermore, it’s very likely that you install a new hard drive and the PC won’t boot due to storage concerns or the second hard drive causing boot failure.
As an example, users reported the error computer will not boot with SATA hard drive connected.
However, the Windows Report team has compiled the right solutions for you in order to fix the computer not booting after installing new hard drive issues.
What can I do if a new hard drive won’t boot on Windows 10?
1. Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS
One of the reasons for this problem is that the HDD/ boot disk is not at the top of the boot order. The system retrieves boot information and OS details by following a boot order.
The boot order consists of the sequence of sources that the computer searches in order to retrieve valid information.
Meanwhile, BIOS enables you to specify a drive by its position in the hard-drive list as below (eg HDD-1, HDD-2, etc.) make sure that your original drive is on the SATA0 data cable, and the new one is on the SATA1. Hence, the system will try to read off the SATA0 drive first.
However, if the HDD/boot disk is not at the top of the boot order, the computer tries to boot from another source which results in the error message.
If you intend to set the boot disk i.e. HDD at the top of the boot order in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), follow the above steps.
If you want to keep your system running smoothly, you can get adedicated Windows optimizer software. They typically include cleaner utilities, as well as disk management tools that are more user-friendly than the BIOS.
2. Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections
Sometimes, the laptop may wobble resulting in a loosened state of the PC-to-HDD connections; the wires connecting the HDD to the system and vice versa might have been unfastened which causes the second hard drive to stop the boot process.
In order to check the PC/HDD wire connections, you need to use a screwdriver. Follow the above steps to check the connections and fix the problem.
However, if you do not have the tools and required practical knowledge involved in using this method; it is advisable that you consult a computer technician or computer engineer to help you out.
3. Update the IDE drivers
Sometimes the only way to fix this problem is simply to visit your laptop manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers’ drivers for your laptop. After downloading the latest drivers, uninstall your current one by following these steps:
However, updating drivers manually could be very stressful and time-consuming. You can always opt to execute all processes through third-party software likeOutbyte Driver Update.
This program not only will show you the right driver version for your device but will prevent also PC damage.
⇒Get Outbyte Driver Updater
4. Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair
You can also fix the boot error problem by performing automatic repair/start repair on your system by using the Windows bootable installation DVD.
5. Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Finally, you need to consider replacing your PC’s HDD because it may be faulty. You can remove your HDD, connect it to another PC to access the files and folders on the PC, and also confirm if it boots up from the HDD.
Meanwhile, if the new PC is unable to identify and access the HDD, then you definitely need to replace it with a new one.
However, if the PC can detect and access the HDD, then the probable cause for the error problem is the faulty SATA cable.
The SATA cable connects the HDD to its motherboard; we highly recommended that you replace it with a new one. You can carry out the replacement with a professional computer engineer.
No less important, keep in mind that the above solutions are recommended whenever experiencing these issues as well:
Feel free to comment below if you have any questions concerning the solutions we mentioned above.
More about the topics:Fix Hard Drive issues
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
