Question My previous m.2 ssd with windows installed won't start after adding a new m.2 ssd to my computer
Question My previous m.2 ssd with windows installed won't start after adding a new m.2 ssd to my computer
When I first assembled the PC, I had an m.2 500gb SSD and a SATA 2TB hard drive. I installed Windows on the SSD, but now newer games demand an SSD, so I upgraded to a 1TB M.2 SSD. The installation worked without issues, but when I reach the motherboard splash screen and attempt to boot into Windows, I receive a prompt asking me to reboot or select the proper boot drive or insert the boot media in the chosen device and press a key. After restarting, I check the BIOS and notice the boot option has switched to the new SSD, yet the old hard drive boot option is no longer available as it was when I initially set the boot drive. I try booting again and the same issue persists. I found some information suggesting that not all of Windows installs go into the boot drive, with parts going onto a separate drive, possibly linked to the SSD setup. I also learned that installing two M.2 SSDs might disable certain SATA ports, which could explain the connection. I need assistance to resolve this.
Describe what you did during the installation process. Did you copy your previous storage device to the new one? Or did you start a new Windows setup on the fresh drive? Or was there another action taken? If you ran a full Windows install, it usually performs better with just one connected drive at the time of setup; additional drives can be added later.
Can the system be restored to its original working state?
I need to check if the DM window is active, to determine if the boot partition is on the HDD.
Yes, Windows is present on the SSD, though the small boot partition might be located on the HDD.
Installing the new NVMe could prevent the SATA port from working. That means no booting.
A possible fix is relocating the HDD data cable to a different SATA port on the motherboard.