Sometimes installing a second hard drive may interrupt the default boot process and prevent your PC from booting. In addition, you may be unable to access Windows as the PC would halt at startup.

However, Windows Report team has compiled the right solutions for you so as to fix this problem.

Second hard drive stops boot [Fix]

  1. Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS
  2. Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections
  3. Update HDD drivers
  4. Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair
  5. Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Method 1: Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS

One of the reasons for this problem is because the HDD/ boot disk is not at the top of the boot order. The system retrieves boot information and OS details by following a boot order; the boot order consists of the sequence of sources which the computer searches in order retrieve valid information.

Meanwhile, BIOS enables you to specify a drive by its position in the hard-drive list as below (eg HDD-1, HDD-2, etc.) make sure that your original drive is on the SATA0 data cable, and the new one is on the SATA1. Hence, the system will try to read off the SATA0 drive first.

However, if the HDD/boot disk is not at the top of the boot order, the computer tries to boot from another source which results in the error message. If you intend to set the boot disk i.e. HDD at the top of the boot order in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), follow these steps:

  1. Power up your computer
  2. Press the F1 key or any specified key to enter the BIOS (other keys such as F1, F12 or Delete may be used depending on your HP system).
  3. Locate your computer’s boot order under BIOS Boot.
  4. Select the HDD/SSD i.e. the boot disk and move it upward using the arrow key.second hard drive stops boot
  5. Save the changes by following the screen prompts and exit the BIOS.

Method 2: Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections

second hard drive stops bootSometimes, the laptop may have wobble resulting in loosened state of the PC-to-HDD connections; the wires connecting the HDD to the system and vice versa might have been unfastened which causes the second hard drive to stop boot process.

In order to check the PC/HDD wire connections, you need to use a screwdriver (or you can get one from Amazon). Follow these steps to check the connections and fix the problem:

  1. Power off your computer and remove the battery. Open up your computer’s casing afterwards.
  2. Detach the HDD from your computer.
  3. Clean all the ports and wirings linking the HDD to the computer and also check the SATA and power cables.
  4. Replace the faulty cables you detect and fix loose connections.
  5. Now, reconnect the HDD to the computer. (Ensure that all the connections are fastened tightly.
  6. Hence, attach the battery and power up your computer.

However, if you do not have the tools and required practical knowledge involved in using this method; it is advisable that you consult a computer technician or computer engineer to help you out.

Method 3: Update HDD drivers

Some hard disk drivers are not compatible with Windows 10 most especially after Windows 10 upgrade. However, you can fix this problem either manually or by automated solution such as TweakBit Driver Updater. In addition, this tool is approved by Microsoft and Norton Antivirus. After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best automated solution. You can find below a quick guide.

    1. Download and install TweakBit Driver Updater
    2. driver updater starting windowOnce installed, the program will start scanning your PC for outdated drivers automatically. Driver Updater will check your installed driver versions against its cloud database of the latest versions and recommend proper updates. All you need to do is wait for the scan to complete.
      tweakbit driver updater scanning
    3. Upon scan completion, you get a report on all problem drivers found on your PC. Review the list and see if you want to update each driver individually or all at once. To update one driver at a time, click the ‘Update driver’ link next to the driver name. Or simply click the ‘Update all’ button at the bottom to automatically install all recommended updates.
      tweakbit driver updater scan finished
      Note: Some drivers need to be installed in multiple steps so you will have to hit the ‘Update’ button several times until all of its components are installed.

Disclaimer: some functions of this tool are not free.

Method 4: Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair

You can also fix the boot error problem by performing automatic repair/start repair on your system by using Windows bootable installation DVD. Here’s how to do this:

  1. Insert Windows bootable installation DVD and restart your PC afterwards.
  2. Press any key to boot from CD or DVD when prompted to continue.
  3. Select your language preferences, and click “Next”.
  4. Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left.
  5. In the “choose an option” screen, Click Troubleshoot > Click Advanced option > Automatic Repair or Startup Repair. Then, wait for the Windows Automatic/Startup Repairs to be complete.
  6. Restart your PC and boot to Windows. Attach the second hard drive afterwards.

Method 5: Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

second hard drive stops bootFinally, you need to consider replacing your PC’s HDD because it may be faulty. You can remove your HDD, connect it to another PC to access the files and folders on the PC, and also to confirm if it boots up from the HDD.

Meanwhile, if the new PC is unable to identify and access the HDD, then you definitely need to replace it with a new one.

However, if the PC can detect and access the HDD, then the probable cause for the error problem is due to the faulty SATA cable. The SATA cable connects the HDD to its motherboard; we highly recommended that you replace it with a new one. You can carry out the replacement by a professional computer engineer.

In conclusion, feel free to comment us below if you have any question concerning the solutions we mentioned above.

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