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TitoBob
Lv 7
TitoBob asked in Computers & InternetHardwareDesktops · 9 years ago

My "new" computer won't boot if my 1TB external HDD is connected - any way to fix this?

I had to get a refurbished desktop computer after my "old" motherboard quit working. This computer works fine, but won't boot unless my 1TB HDD is disconnected. After it boots completely, I can plug in the HDD and everything is fine. The techies who refurbished my "new" computer told me that it's normal for some older computers (early 2000's) have this problem. It's only a minor inconvenience, but I am wondering if there's any setting(s) I can adjust so I can leave the external HDD plugged in. I am (still) using Windows XP SP3, 80GB internal HDD, 1GB RAM, Pentium 4.

Update:

Sorry, guys, the "hit Delete" approach to get into the BIOS doesn't work - even the two Hotkey choices (F2 - BIOS, F12 - Setup) don't appear. The first thing to appear onscreen is the Gateway logo, then it goes right into Windows XP bootup (if the external HDD is unplugged). Otherwise, it just stops at the logo.

4 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 4
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Your computer is attempting to boot from the external drive when you plug it in. Since no copy of Windows is on that drive, it fails to boot up. You need to change the boot sequence on your computer so that it ignores USB devices when booting.

    Go into your BIOS by hitting Del key when prompted on startup. You should get the blue screen and white text. From there, scroll over to your boot settings and find the one called boot sequence. Set the first one to boot from your primary hard drive and then set the other options to nothing so that it only tries to boot from your primary hard drive.

    This should fix your issue and prevent it from coming back up.

    Source(s): Personal Experience
  • refsocrd1
    Lv 4
    9 years ago

    one possible solution is that in bios that either "boot from other device" or "boot from usb" is enabled.

    or the boot order is "external" then the "internal" drives.

    i'd suggest checking there first, and then disable or put it lower on the list.

    even my 3 year old computer has that problem if i have a usb card in my after market card reader(usb 2.0), it hangs everytime if plugged in. but if i disable those settings, it stops.

    If those options aren't there, then you may need to check the external and see if there is a boot.xxx file on the drive, if it is, you might be safe deleting it. change the extension to .bak or something else to be sure before you delete it.

    you also didn't specify if the drive is nas, esata or usb(type would help, 1.0.1.1, 2.0 3.0 etc),

  • mmacpherson5
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    boot sequence in the bios-hit delete as the computer starts.when the bios comes up just look for boot sequence and disable usb if listed, save and exit and you're all set

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Go to BIOS, and change the order of boot device (the hdd must be on first)

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