Prevent the system from attempting to start using the hard drive.
Prevent the system from attempting to start using the hard drive.
I've been working on fixing a problem since installing an SSD and Windows on it. After setting up Windows 10 on the new drive, I moved some important files from my old HDD—photos, videos, art, game saves, etc.—and renamed the old disk "Babushka" because it's slower. When I reinstalled Windows, I left the HDD connected and used the EFI partition that holds boot files. It seems the system thinks the HDD is still active, showing a boot error even though I can still boot into Windows on the SSD. This causes slow startup times, which is frustrating. I created boot files in a new partition labeled "E:" for boot files and "C:" for Windows installation. I set the SSD as top priority during booting, but I don’t have screenshots. The issue persists when I try to use F9 to select the SSD during startup. How can I prevent the computer from trying to boot through the HDD?
During the setup phase, when prompted about the installation disk, you might choose to erase all partitions for clarity. Simply press the advanced option immediately.
No, the SSD isn't set as the top boot priority compared to other devices in your UEFI/BIOS settings.
Issue arises because I removed the HDD partitions without backing up data before switching to an SSD, which prevented me from deleting older files. The EFI partition on my HDD remains stuck, possibly triggering the system to attempt a restart. (Disk 0 the HDD)
Remove the EFI system from the disk you don’t want to boot from; this will reset your installation without losing data. Edit- Also, consider deleting the 499MB NTFS partition that contains recovery files. Edit2- I missed the point about those partitions not being deletable. Is it possible to proceed if you run Disk Manager with admin privileges? Otherwise, use the install method and reboot after deletion, then retrieve the USB drive. (Sorry for the confusion, I’m currently at 34C and really trying my best.) Of course, altering this won’t fix the issue. The boot partition must be taken off the mechanical drive to avoid further complications.
I mentioned earlier that I prioritize the SSD. The issue is that I can’t remove the EFI partition and I’m hesitant to use third-party tools since I’m unsure if the UEFI I set up on the SSD will function properly. "E:" appears inside my SSD, as shown in the previous partition screenshot.
To ensure SSD safety, remove it and restart using the Windows installation media to reach the screen displayed. This method isn’t third-party and should work reliably. I appreciate your caution, but I don’t see another option since you’ve already adjusted the boot sequence. You might also consider turning off HDD booting in BIOS, though this feature varies by manufacturer.