Author Topic: Reformatted an old hard drive that had Windows installed... Still tries to boot  (Read 1417 times)

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Offline Naweo

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  • Posts: 199
I think bios is trying to boot into an old hard drive. I have installed windows on a new SSD and simply want the old SSD for stoage, and so I wipled it clean with a reformat. It appears there is still an un-deletable bootable partition, and I can't seem to remove that boot partition.

Any ideas?

Thanks

https://i.gyazo.com/b77a8561bccc32a8e12b0ed502509af0.png


Offline fohat.digs

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Not sure that I'm remembering correctly, but can you right click on the partition and do a "delete partition"?
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Offline Leslieann

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First off, remove the drive you want to format... Boot up the system, that should get the bios to correct, but also it will ensure your system is not booting off of that drive.

It's very possible it's using the boot partition on the to be formatted drive  to boot your SSD, which is why you can't format it.
If that's the case when you remove it your system will not boot, you can either fix it with a Windows disk or put the other back in and ignore the problem.


If it boots with the one removed (or after you have fixed it), reconnect the drive to be formatted. Note that if it's a relatively new system you don't even have to shut down to reconnect it. However, instead of formatting it, delete all of the partitions on it, then create a new "simple" partition and format that. That will get rid of any boot sectors and give you max capacity.


Fair warning,
It's very likely you're using it to boot your SSD.
« Last Edit: Thu, 25 August 2022, 23:04:51 by Leslieann »
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Offline Naweo

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  • Posts: 199
Yes I made a few threads about this. I will come back after I have booted one the drive I intend to use only and removed the drive I intend to format / remove as a bootable drive.

If windows boots normally WITHOUT the annoying hard drive inside, then I can safely attempt to remove the bootable partition, correct?

Offline Naweo

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 199
First off, remove the drive you want to format... Boot up the system, that should get the bios to correct, but also it will ensure your system is not booting off of that drive.

It's very possible it's using the boot partition on the to be formatted drive  to boot your SSD, which is why you can't format it.
If that's the case when you remove it your system will not boot, you can either fix it with a Windows disk or put the other back in and ignore the problem.


If it boots with the one removed (or after you have fixed it), reconnect the drive to be formatted. Note that if it's a relatively new system you don't even have to shut down to reconnect it. However, instead of formatting it, delete all of the partitions on it, then create a new "simple" partition and format that. That will get rid of any boot sectors and give you max capacity.


Fair warning,
It's very likely you're using it to boot your SSD.

I can now confirm the drive in question (crucial SSD, no other crucial drive in the system) is unplugged, and the PC boots fairly.

I can now safely attempt to remove the bootable partition, correct?

Offline Naweo

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 199
First off, remove the drive you want to format... Boot up the system, that should get the bios to correct, but also it will ensure your system is not booting off of that drive.

It's very possible it's using the boot partition on the to be formatted drive  to boot your SSD, which is why you can't format it.
If that's the case when you remove it your system will not boot, you can either fix it with a Windows disk or put the other back in and ignore the problem.


If it boots with the one removed (or after you have fixed it), reconnect the drive to be formatted. Note that if it's a relatively new system you don't even have to shut down to reconnect it. However, instead of formatting it, delete all of the partitions on it, then create a new "simple" partition and format that. That will get rid of any boot sectors and give you max capacity.


Fair warning,
It's very likely you're using it to boot your SSD.

I can now confirm the drive in question (crucial SSD, no other crucial drive in the system) is unplugged, and the PC boots fairly.

I can now safely attempt to remove the bootable partition, correct?

I believe it was a success. The crucial disk is now fully a single volume:

https://i.gyazo.com/ebc6f294814d7c6c9786a6389b0be073.png

Offline Leslieann

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Yep, looks good.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
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| GMMK TKL
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w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
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| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline Naweo

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  • Posts: 199
Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.