Launch Windows from SSD instead of the HD

Samhayne

New Member
Messages
14
(edit: solved. For whatever reason the SSD didn't have an EFI
partition and Win8 wasn't installed on a GPT partition...
So it didn't show up as bootable UEFI device)


Hey :),

Been fiddling around with it now for one day but didn't get it running.
Guess I need some help... :(

My notebook had a hardware defect... so I removed the SSD and sent
it to the hardware service provider.

Yesterday I received the repaired notebook but I totally fail in setting
up UEFI so it would boot from the SSD again (with my old Win installation).

When installing Win 8 it was probably all handled automatically.

But now I'm lost...
There's a "Windows Boot Manager" entry in the UEFI but it points to the
hard disc... and I can't select the SSD.
(It's detected as Hard Disk 1 in the UEFi's info tab though)

There is a BOOTMGR file in the SSD's root.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Can you please remove that link to your image and upload it directly to the forum because it generates a ton of unwanted pop ups and some of them may not be suitable for younger forum members.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Hi Samhayne,

Thanks for that! Now, I'm still a bit confused about your current configuration. So, do you have "both" the hard drive and the SSD connected right now?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Wait! Your link points to an MSata arrangement and you previously identified it as an ordinary SSD. Please provide your make/model number and list all internal system specs or just run speccy and post the report:

Speccy - System Information - Free Download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Hum... maybe my fault.

Yes it's an mSata SSD.
The notebook is a Lenovo Y580.

Maybe really related to the notebook after seeing this thread:
Y580: new Crucial M4 mSATA SSD not showing in BIOS... - Lenovo Community

Just weird that it all worked before...
It won't show me the selection seen in the screenshot in the third posting.
I did like him, installing Win 8 from DVD... but now I can't select it any more
after installing the mSata in the repaired notebook.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
So, the factory fixed it, and they should have restored the original boot configuration, including the mSata caching arrangement. So, what exactly isn't working since the factory did the repair? Please explain in detail.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Sorry again,
I was just editing my last posting:



It won't show me the selection seen in the screenshot in the third posting (Lenovo Forum Link)
I did like him originally, installing Win 8 from DVD ... but now I can't select it any more
after installing the mSata in the repaired notebook.

I removed the SSD before sending it to the factory.
(I bought it seperately and I didn't trust the service to not lose it during the repair procedure)

The BIOS' Windows Boot Manager option just won't bring up the menu when hitting enter or anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Oh my Samhayne,

You seem to add additional information that changes your situation with every new update; however, since you did not explain your actual issue with clarity from the get-go, I'm just apprehensive about making any suggestions at this point without asking more questions until I finally understand your issue with total clarity. I think at this point, it might be better for someone else to assist you. Good luck in finding a solution to your issue.

my2cents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Hm... I wrote in the very first posting that I uninstalled the SSD before
sending it to the factory.
Now I installed it again and wanted to boot my old Windows installation
from it but can't select it in the BIOS.
The "Windows Boot Manager" option shown in my screenshot just won't
allow any change. (It's just showing the other/normal hard disk in brackets)

Yet the SSD is shown in the BIOS info screen and accessible when booting
from the manufacturer's default Windows installation on the built-in hard drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hm... I wrote in the very first posting that I uninstalled the SSD before
sending it to the factory.
Now I installed it again and wanted to boot my old Windows installation
from it but can't select it in the BIOS.
The "Windows Boot Manager" option shown in my screenshot just won't
allow any change. (It's just showing the other/normal hard disk in brackets)

Yet the SSD is shown in the BIOS info screen and accessible when booting
from the manufacturer's default Windows installation on the built-in hard drive.

OK, so if you think you gave a clear, concise, and thorough explanation of your actual issue in your original post, then its my fault for not being able to understand your issue from the start! So, all those adjustments you made were not actually necessary because of the clarity of your original post. So, I apologize for asking for them because I should have been able to figure all that out from your first post. With that said, I offer my deepest apologies and I am quite sure that someone will be jumping right in to fix your issue very shortly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
I don't understand the hostility... but... yeah. Ok.

What are you talking about? I just placed all the blame directly on myself and apologized to you and now you are saying I'm hostile? OK, I'm sorry for everything. It's all my fault. You are right and I am wrong. What the heck else do you want me to say? I tried to help and I couldn't. Just hang in there and someone else will be along to fix you right up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Thanks for your help so far, my2cents.

I'll try to find a solution myself then and post it if I find it... maybe Google will lead some people here.

So far for the record:
Booting the manufacturer's HD Windows and adding the SSD's Windows Installation with EasyBCD to
the boot menu didn't work either... the screen stayed black.

Also it seems like Lenovo delivers the Y580 with different BIOS versions. I have a "newer" one now,
not available at the support page. So the BIOS menu looks different now.

2 pictures of BIOS screens:
The first is one I found in the Lenovo forum (also a Y580 notebook, I think it shows the boot setup
screen of the BIOS version I used before) and below the screen I am shown -> No way to setup
priorities there.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hey Theog,

it seems like nothing ISRT related is really applicable for this Notebook.

In Windows the "Accelerate" tab isn't shown. The drive is also not marked as "accelerated"
(I'm referring to this picture: http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...54799-install-windows-system-msata-isrt-3.jpg)


In the BIOS there isn't an option either.

Also swtching from UEFI to legacy mode won't make the SSD show up.

I'll attach all BIOS screens now for total clarity:
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
As you are in AHCI mode, why would the Msata show.

Check the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting for the IRST.

Hm... it's set to AHCI, true... why shouldn't it work?
I looked in your linked guide.... it says I should even change TO AHCI:

First you need to prepare your BIOS for installing windows on the MSATA drive.
We need to disable the Intel Smart Response Technology.

Tap F2 at the startup to
enter BIOS. Under SATA OPERATION change to AHCI from ISRT.

:confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hey Theog,

it seems like nothing ISRT related is really applicable for this Notebook.

In Windows the "Accelerate" tab isn't shown. The drive is also not marked as "accelerated"
(I'm referring to this picture: http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...54799-install-windows-system-msata-isrt-3.jpg)


In the BIOS there isn't an option either.

Also swtching from UEFI to legacy mode won't make the SSD show up.

I'll attach all BIOS screens now for total clarity:

Intel2.PNG

Resetting UEFI to Legacy will stop Windows 8 booting.

Also try reseating the Msata drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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