Issue with a secondary internal hard drive stopping the PC from starting.
Issue with a secondary internal hard drive stopping the PC from starting.
This recent problem emerged during my fourth-year build. The internal hard drive I installed for extra storage unexpectedly disrupted my system. I’m documenting the sequence of events, since I’m still unsure where the issue lies.
1) The PC functions normally with the two ripjaws RAM modules and two extra memory sticks (I was running a Minecraft server at that time).
2) I decided to perform a simple memory swap—removing the two Patriot RAM kits. Both are correctly placed in the second and fourth channels for dual-channel operation.
3) The system starts up, but it freezes on the “Press this key to enter bios” screen. The power is still coming through (confirmed by the updating cap lock LED), yet I can’t access BIOS.
4) I attempted to reinstall the old RAM kits, but that didn’t resolve anything.
5) I tried re-seating the GPU, but it didn’t help.
6) I reset the CMOS in case it was affecting the boot process (no improvement).
7) I unplugged my secondary drive because it wasn’t critical for startup; pressed F2 and entered BIOS. This is the current state of the machine.
8) Now, the PC runs stably when the secondary drive is removed. However, if I connect the drive after booting into Windows, it works perfectly. I tried opening the BIOS menu, plugging in the drive, but it still didn’t recognize it. The BIOS doesn’t detect the drive.
9) For now, I’m keeping the hard drive unplugged, but I’m hopeful there’s a solution. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
PC Components:
- RX 5600 XT Phantom Gaming D3 6gb OC
- Ryzen 5 3600
- 2 x 8gb DDR4-3600 G.Skill Ripjaws
- 2 x 8gb DDR4-3200 Patriot
- Asus Prime B450 ii-a
- Cougar VTE 500 80+ Bronze
- Drives:
- Western Digital Blue 500gb M.2-2280 (primary boot drive)
- Seagate Barracuda 500gb HDD (the problematic drive)
The splash screen shown was similar to this:
*Small Edit: Other attempts I made:*
- Changing the CSM settings didn’t help.
- Switching the SATA data cable had no impact.
- Altering the SATA port didn’t resolve the issue.
- The M.2 SSD’s first port is disabled, but switching to another port didn’t work.
- Plugging it into the first port suggests it might not be properly connected.
Updated: July 14, 2024 by Hyphen8d
It seems your system isn't starting properly even when connected to power. After turning it on, the drive isn't recognized, and restarting doesn't help. The issue might be with the power supply or a faulty connection. Check the cables and ensure everything is securely plugged in. If the problem persists, consult a technician.
I've been feeling really drained, sorry for any confusion—I meant my bio is still current. My apologies, it didn’t make a big difference after all.
Here are some possible ways to attempt recovery:
- Check if the drive has any available backup copies or snapshots.
- Try using a data recovery tool designed for old or damaged drives.
- Consider professional data restoration services if the drive is beyond repair.
- Look into factory reset options to see if files remain intact.
- If possible, contact the hardware manufacturer for guidance.