Windows 7 OEM won't boot without OS disk in CD drive!?

ritcH · 15 Jul 2012 at 15:03

I was updating a computer today, installing an intel SSD and updating the OS from Vista to Windows 7 Pro OEM. It all went well except now I can't boot windows without the OS disk being in the CD drive.

I tried changing the boot order so that only the hard drive is first but I get an error message saying unable to boot, insert OS disc and press any key.

Another problem is that even though I quick formatted the old hard drive with Vista installed on it, the computer is dual booting and asking if I would like Windows 7 or Vista (recovered). When I boot into windows 7 and check the old hard drive it is empty.

Any ideas how I can resolve this?

Thanks

ritcH · 15 Jul 2012 at 15:17

There are 3 hard drives, 1ssd and 2 320GB normal hdds. Vista was installed on one of these, which was unpartitioned. The other was partitioned into a 50GB and 250GB drive.

When I installed windows 7 I quick formatted the old primary hard drive with vista on it. Then installed windows 7 onto the ssd. I didn't delete any partitions. I didn't disconnect any drives when I installed windows 7.

So because I installed from an OEM disc can I now reinstall Windows 7 by disconnecting the drives? I thought all the hardware had to be in place with OEM installs and that you can only install OEM once?

ritcH · 15 Jul 2012 at 15:28

That thread is about preserving the SSD, I'm more concerned about the problems I'm having in the OP, thanks anyway.

ritcH · 15 Jul 2012 at 20:37

In the end I did what you said and unplugged all the harddrives except the SSD. Curiously Windows 7 wouldn't even boot despite the fact it was on the ssd. Then I formatted and installed anew on the ssd and once that was completed plugged in the other two drives. Runs fine now.