Set up the issue
Set up the issue
I have a used I5 6500 with no drive. I found a 128GB SSD from another build. Windows won’t boot or repair it, so I plan to format it and install Windows 10. Can I connect the SSD to the existing I5 and format it cleanly? The new computer can help pick the format type. Since my son is away, I’ll proceed safely.
you're facing a common issue when trying to install Windows on a system that was formatted in MBR. the problem likely stems from the file system structure not being compatible with Windows requirements. you mentioned formatting it as NTFS, which is fine, but the MBR format might still be causing conflicts. consider checking the disk's partition settings or using a tool like dd to repair the MBR before proceeding. if needed, you could try booting from a USB with a bootable OS to test compatibility.
I've settled down and am eager to try again. I checked YouTube and discovered various guides, including instructions on completely erasing a system drive. It seems I need to wipe all data from the partition. Since there are multiple partitions on my main "C" drive, do I have to install them manually, or will Windows handle it automatically? Also, how should I prepare the drive before initializing it? This might be the key step I was missing.