F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Unusual BIOS update occurred unexpectedly.

Unusual BIOS update occurred unexpectedly.

Unusual BIOS update occurred unexpectedly.

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Hecchicero
Member
171
01-21-2026, 03:48 AM
#1
Apologies for the confusion. I resolved it myself without needing help. Yesterday afternoon I tried to turn on my computer, but it wouldn’t boot. It would freeze on the motherboard logo and prevent me from accessing Windows or BIOS settings. I shorted the CMOS jumper and managed to enter the BIOS, where one of my secondary drives was marked as "Windows boot manager." It seemed the system was attempting to boot from that drive, even though Windows was installed elsewhere. After setting the correct drive as first in the boot order, everything worked properly now. I’m puzzled about what might have caused this issue—could it be a virus, a glitch, an update problem, or something more unusual like a cosmic ray?
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Hecchicero
01-21-2026, 03:48 AM #1

Apologies for the confusion. I resolved it myself without needing help. Yesterday afternoon I tried to turn on my computer, but it wouldn’t boot. It would freeze on the motherboard logo and prevent me from accessing Windows or BIOS settings. I shorted the CMOS jumper and managed to enter the BIOS, where one of my secondary drives was marked as "Windows boot manager." It seemed the system was attempting to boot from that drive, even though Windows was installed elsewhere. After setting the correct drive as first in the boot order, everything worked properly now. I’m puzzled about what might have caused this issue—could it be a virus, a glitch, an update problem, or something more unusual like a cosmic ray?

S
sparker6400
Member
120
01-21-2026, 02:51 PM
#2
It could become an issue because the system has been using the new drive since 2017 and it has always worked properly. No recent BIOS adjustments have been made.
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sparker6400
01-21-2026, 02:51 PM #2

It could become an issue because the system has been using the new drive since 2017 and it has always worked properly. No recent BIOS adjustments have been made.

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HyPeRMANIAC12
Member
53
01-21-2026, 04:31 PM
#3
The SSD likely experienced a problem, so the BIOS switched back to the only remaining boot method. It’s probably not necessary to reformat everything, though that’s still a good idea. If you’re comfortable using Disk Manager, you might be able to remove the boot partition.
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HyPeRMANIAC12
01-21-2026, 04:31 PM #3

The SSD likely experienced a problem, so the BIOS switched back to the only remaining boot method. It’s probably not necessary to reformat everything, though that’s still a good idea. If you’re comfortable using Disk Manager, you might be able to remove the boot partition.

J
JoloYolo
Member
205
01-21-2026, 07:46 PM
#4
It seems like your old hard drive still holds remnants of Windows system and recovery files. It looks like your current Windows setup is a bit unusual, and you're worried about losing those partitions that might help the main drive. The SMART status on your SSD isn't showing any issues, so it's unclear what exactly happened.
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JoloYolo
01-21-2026, 07:46 PM #4

It seems like your old hard drive still holds remnants of Windows system and recovery files. It looks like your current Windows setup is a bit unusual, and you're worried about losing those partitions that might help the main drive. The SMART status on your SSD isn't showing any issues, so it's unclear what exactly happened.

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OnlyNocturnal
Junior Member
20
01-29-2026, 07:44 PM
#5
I suspect the issue stems from a Windows Update. After a recent restart, the system booted into the old installation drive. I’ve been wanting to clean up the remaining files and reformat the drive for new use, but haven’t done it yet—this has been going on for more than a month.
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OnlyNocturnal
01-29-2026, 07:44 PM #5

I suspect the issue stems from a Windows Update. After a recent restart, the system booted into the old installation drive. I’ve been wanting to clean up the remaining files and reformat the drive for new use, but haven’t done it yet—this has been going on for more than a month.

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knightndey
Member
183
01-30-2026, 12:48 AM
#6
This is why duplicating drives can be problematic.
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knightndey
01-30-2026, 12:48 AM #6

This is why duplicating drives can be problematic.

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ArceusHD
Member
154
02-14-2026, 01:03 AM
#7
I've repeated this many times without encountering any issues. The reason people might say that is likely due to a common expectation or assumption about the outcome.
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ArceusHD
02-14-2026, 01:03 AM #7

I've repeated this many times without encountering any issues. The reason people might say that is likely due to a common expectation or assumption about the outcome.

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OKNK
Member
231
02-14-2026, 01:39 AM
#8
I didn't duplicate it, since I recall setting up a brand new Windows installation on the SSD and removing the data partition from the original HDD. I should have formatted everything properly rather than just wiping out the obvious files. That was clearly a simple oversight looking back—2017 was my year, and I was still learning about PCs. Cloning is especially handy for upgrading drives in devices with just one drive slot, such as laptops and all-in-one systems.
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OKNK
02-14-2026, 01:39 AM #8

I didn't duplicate it, since I recall setting up a brand new Windows installation on the SSD and removing the data partition from the original HDD. I should have formatted everything properly rather than just wiping out the obvious files. That was clearly a simple oversight looking back—2017 was my year, and I was still learning about PCs. Cloning is especially handy for upgrading drives in devices with just one drive slot, such as laptops and all-in-one systems.

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Mr_Floobiful
Posting Freak
890
02-20-2026, 09:37 AM
#9
I'm sorry but that's not a helpful remark, and next time if you don't specify, please refrain from saying it. It only adds confusion and is clearly wrong. Third, no one has ever discussed cloned drives. You can install multiple boot partitions simply by setting up Windows on a new drive after an upgrade. I can advise anyone to disregard that incorrect and misleading information.
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Mr_Floobiful
02-20-2026, 09:37 AM #9

I'm sorry but that's not a helpful remark, and next time if you don't specify, please refrain from saying it. It only adds confusion and is clearly wrong. Third, no one has ever discussed cloned drives. You can install multiple boot partitions simply by setting up Windows on a new drive after an upgrade. I can advise anyone to disregard that incorrect and misleading information.

D
deathtodawn
Member
216
02-26-2026, 05:30 PM
#10
Well, actually.
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deathtodawn
02-26-2026, 05:30 PM #10

Well, actually.