Why does my PC not boot without my old HDs?

[SirCanealot]

Hi all,

Posting from work, so I can't post settings or anything, but thought I'd post this up while I get a second

Recently got a new Seagate 1.5tb (upgrade on a budget!) and I've installed it to replace my old 2 HDs which are getting on a bit and are quite slow.

I installed the HD fine, and ran a benchmark, error check, etc and the drive seemed fine. Copied all my files over to it, and then took the old HDs out (planned to keep them for a week or two before selling them on to make sure the Seagate isn't one that's going to die in a week).

However, when trying to boot without my old HDs, the system tells me to select a correct boot device or insert boot media (does this just before Windows would usually boot). I've selected my WD Raptor as my 1st disk in the bios, and I've told it to boot from it, but the PC won't do it. I'm sure if I installed the old HD's back it would boot fine, but that kinda sucks :/

My system WAS set up as follows:
IDE 500 gig Hitachi (Windows 7 used to be installed on this)
Sata 300 gig Seagate
Sata 300 gig WD Raptor (Windows 7 installed on this)

Now my system is set up as follows:
Sata 1500 gig Seagate
Sata WD 300 gig Raptor (Windows)

I think it might be something to do with the old 500 gig IDE HD I used to have installed that used to have W7 on. Could it be looking to that for some sort of boot record? I'll try putting it back in when I get home of course. But why on earth is it doing this? Do I just need to re-install windows back onto the Raptor with JUST the 2 HDs in and see if it works then? (wouldn't be that much trouble)

Mobo is an old Asus Commando which is working with no problems really.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[rpstewart]

Could it be looking to that for some sort of boot record? I'll try putting it back in when I get home of course. But why on earth is it doing this? Do I just need to re-install windows back onto the Raptor with JUST the 2 HDs in and see if it works then? (wouldn't be that much trouble)

Yep, that's the problem. Windows will put the boot files on whichever disk is enumerated by the system as Disk0, regardless of where you ask it to actually install itself.

If you're installing Windows on a system with multiple HDDs it's always best to disconnect all bar the drive you want to install Windows on before starting.

 

[SirCanealot]

Noooooo! I did not know this. That's seriously crap, why do they do it that way in this day and age? xD

Oh well, I was thinking of reformatting soon again anyway... Thanks very much

 

[Echo]

Shouldn't have to reinstall, boot 7 disc and run repair - should add the necessary bootloader to the raptor in a few seconds.