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Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:49 pm
by Zonda_
I’ve fitted a Samsung SSD to a laptop but when I switch it on it says No bootable devices. When I go into the BIOS it is detecting it fine and displays the name, model number and size etc. The SSD was taken out of a machine that booted with it fine and had no other hard drive.

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:59 pm
by Simon
Uefi boot mode on the SSD I wonder.

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:01 pm
by DeskJockey
Simon wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:59 pm Uefi boot mode on the SSD I wonder.
Most likely, I agree

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:04 pm
by Zonda_
Simon wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:59 pm Uefi boot mode on the SSD I wonder.
Sorry, what does that mean?

The boot list option is UEFI in the BIOS

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:07 pm
by Zonda_
Ah, I changed it from UEFI to Legacy and it’s working now.

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:51 pm
by Simon
Next time you rebuild that machine flip it to UEFI ...

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:07 pm
by Zonda_
Simon wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:51 pm Next time you rebuild that machine flip it to UEFI ...
It wouldn’t boot from that though?

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 9:55 pm
by Simon
That's because the BIOS is looking for a UEFI OS install.

If you do reinstall Windows with UEFI enabled, then it'll install Windows in UEFI mode and work correctly in the future.

But the last time Windows was installed on that SSD the BIOS (on whatever machine) was in Legacy (BIOS) mode, so you can't switch it up.

UEFI needs a compatible Windows install to work.

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:04 pm
by Zonda_
So if I do a system reset I need to set UEFI in the Bios first?

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:09 pm
by Matty
I don't think a system reset within Windows will work, you'll need to do a proper drive wipe and install from DVD/USB if you want to switch.

TBH I wouldn't worry about it. Someone can probaby tell me otherwise but other than slightly faster booting and some security features ('Secure Boot') it won't really have any impact.

Re: Hard Drive help

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 11:44 pm
by Simon
Yeah what Matty said. If you're ever doing a proper format and reinstall then switch it. Else forget about it till then.