Windows 10: Can't boot SSD without HDD connected

In my desktop i7 machine, Windows 10 1909:

I just bought an SSD and then cloned my C: hard drive to the SSD.

The SSD boots (very fast) and functions perfectly - only if I have the HDD also connected. It won't boot on the SSD alone, I get a 'PC needs repair' message.

(If I disconnect the HDD while it's running, the system fails. But while the HHD was running the system, I was able to hot-add the SSD with no problem.)

What's up?

:)

 

New SSD wont boot

Hi John

Boot into BIOS, is SATA Mode set to AHCI to enable booting from an SSD drive?

Is the SSD drive set a top of the Boot Priority list?

Did you try connecting that SSD to the SATA Port normally used by your old HDD?

 

Laptops can't boot from optical HDD\SSD caddy :-(

Hello
I have been investigating *a lot* and trying to boot a 2015 year HP Pavilion DV7 17-f076no (Serial: J1X05EA#UUW) from a Chinese Ebay optical drive HDD\SSD caddy:
Read multiple forum questions that had the same problem as I: ( Bios can't find a bootable SSD inside optical caddy )
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo...find-caddy-SSD-in-BIOS-boot-list/td-p/3278964
Tom's Hardware: For The Hardcore PC Enthusiast

Startup:

• Cloned a 1000gb HDD containing 100/1000gb of Windows 10 Home 64-bit to a 500gb SSD with a EZ Gig IV 4.6.2 cloning software and a USB-SATA transfer cable.
• Original 1000gb HDD is still inside the laptop.
• DVD-drive replaced with a 500gb SSD caddy.

So far:

• The SSD (=2018 Samsung 860EVO 500gb) can be used and seen inside Windows 10. ( As a storage only )
• The 2015 Bios F.43 Rev.A American Megatrends Inc. can not see the SSD from the BIOS boot order. Windows Boot Manager sees only the original HDD.
• UEFI Legacy boot-mode is disabled. I don't think enabling it would help since I'm starting up Windows 10.

Solutions:

• Faulty caddy ? Chinese sellers sell many multiple variations of different 9.7mm thick caddys with different micro switches. This one had only a 1 pc of micro switch with 2 position choices.
• Bios is just not flexible enough. Open the 20+pcs of laptop screws and put the SSD to the place of the original HDD.
• UEFI Legacy mode ?
• Modding the caddy. Someone said the caddy is in a "power saving sleep mode" when inside BIOS and it is therefore unseen and shortening some pins would help ? Any experience in soldering the caddy electronics so that it is constantly awake ? This sounds believable ?
• Cloned the HDD twice to minimize errors but no help I doubt it is because of the cloning process and if it is it is because the HDD and SSD were not the same size 1000gb and 1000gb and the partitions don't match or so...?

Laptops are not easy...

 

Changing Boot Drive from HDD to SSD

Trying to understand here.

Do you have Win-10 installed on a HDD and on a SSD?

If so are you asking how to get your system to boot from the SSD opposed the HDD?

If you don't get an option of seeing a boot option at the beginning of the BIOS process {mine is to press ESC to see boot menu] check with the manufacturer. There HAS to be a key which does that.

Another possibility is: If both drives are SATA just switch the cables and reboot.

Check your Configuration file and see if 2 OSs are listed.

As you can see here, I have mine set to dual-boot. Win-10 on a HDD and Win-7 on a SSD.