Removeable storage drive for Windows 10
Removeable storage drive for Windows 10
I connected the drive through USB and it seems fine. Possibly the operating system is the issue. Alternatively, the motherboard might be contributing to the problem.
I think hardware issues might have caused the drive to become unbootable, but you confirmed it's working. If you connected it elsewhere, try reinstalling it. Check the drive letter assigned—often D—but it can differ. Use an administrator Command Prompt and run the appropriate command with the correct mount point (like "D:"). After that, you can generate fresh boot images using tools such as bcdboot. Make sure to replace MOUNTPOINT accordingly.
Would this result in losing the key from the drive? You're currently looking for the OEM key since it's missing from his laptop.
No, it will not alter the system installed in that way. Extracting OEM keys from computers nowadays, especially laptops is often useless. The key is stored in the UEFI, and it can be seen from there, or at least a part of it; if it is indeed a part of the UEFI. That way, no matter if you reinstall Windows, it will find the key and auto activate if it is Windows 10. But do check first to see if it's in the UEFI. This applies to laptops sold within the last 2 years I'd say with some certainty but I won't promise anything. There's a VBS you can run to retrieve the key from the registry... but I'm not sure about the legal part behind doing so.