Windows 10: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED and cant read boot device on startup

Yes and no, Yes it is possible but it isn't recommended to use a failing hard drive.

Regarding the new problem, the best way to install Windows is to disconnect all hard disks other then the one you want to install on.
This prevents problems and is also for the sake of ease.

What your best option is:
1. Remove the broken hard drive (disconnect it at least for the time of installation)
2. In the installation setup delete all partitions on the new hard drive
3. The installation setup will create everything it needs, don't create a new partition but just continue and wait.

 

So im going to reinstall windows on the second hard drive with the other one removed. It's asking me to choose between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home. How do I decide? Last time I just guessed Pro.

 

Another question: this is the screen where I select where to install Windows. The brand new hard drive currently has 4 partitions and 1 unallocated space. Do I delete all of the partitions except 1? Or what do I do here?

 

Windows 10 Pro has a few features more compared with Windows 10 Home like bitlocker, the possibility to delay upgrades, group policy management and some other things, there isn't a lot of differences though.
I have sometimes the need to use a key I have for Windows 10 Pro and upgrade my laptop to Pro because of some of the features I sometimes miss, though I'm waiting to use it for my pc that I'm going to built within a few days.

Delete all partitions, also the unallocated space and click 'Next', the setup will create all the partitions that Windows needs.

 

Ok I'll do that. But hang on, something still seems strange. This laptop originally had a Windows 7 on it, then I upgraded it to Windows 10 for free. Now I'm installing Windows 10 on a separate hard drive - am I going to have to pay for this eventually?

 

You don't have to worry about activation, with the upgrade Windows 10 has registered your hardware on the servers of Microsoft with a so called digital entitlement.
When you install Windows the installation will be activated by the digital entitlement, the digital entitlement makes it possible that you can install Windows 10 as many times you want without the need for a key.

Only when the motherboard is replaced a new key has to be acquired or you have a retail key you can use, though with laptops it would then be better to get a new laptop instead.

 

Ohhh ok that makes sense, they used a similar reasoning for why we should make a PIN instead of a password.

Reinstallation is underway *Smile thanks again for the help!

 

You're welcome *Smile

Keep this thread updated on your situation please *Smile
We'd like to know if your problem is gone when it is finished.

 

Do you know if it's possible to just format the broken hard drive to fix this? I probably should have asked this from the beginning.

I only ask because I'm having issues re-installing. This hard drive came with Windows 7 pre-installed and now Alienware/Dell wants me to pay for a new copy of the recovery media (because I don't have the actual recovery disc). If I can just format the hard drive to solve this problem, I'd rather do that.

 

That may be possible, but you cannot use a failing hard drive properly. In a matter of time you won't be able to use it at all meaning that Windows won't be able to detect it.

You can do whatever you'd like with the hard drive, but you have to replace it sooner or later. The best is to replace it immediately and stop using it.
FYI, formatting may be possible, but installing Windows again probably won't be possible.