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Thread ID: 89469 2008-05-01 08:00:00 Disk Drives In Wrong Order: How To Change? gkar (5215) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
664630 2008-05-01 08:00:00 Hi,

I am in the process of reinstalling MCE2005, again, after major hardware issues. Unaware my SATA HDDs were in the incorrect SATA connectors on the motherboard. I installed thinking I would just change their letter designation in Computer Management.

Because I had soooo many issues I have used up all my allowances for the product key & had to beg & plead I wasn't a crim to get a new key, so I'd prefer NOT to have to go through that bull again.

Instead of the correct order as below:

c: OS
D: Media
E: Music
F: Media 1
G: Backup
etc.

I now have:

c: Music
D: Media
E: OS
F: Media 1
G: Backup

I thought I would change the SATA connectors to the right order, but I am unable to boot: I get the dreaded 'boot disk failure'.

Is there any way to get my proper disk order back without another reinstall?? Thanks.
gkar (5215)
664631 2008-05-01 08:05:00 Change the bootdisk, in the BIOS, to whatever hdd the OS is on.

Save the settings in the BIOS, then reboot

Are c,d,e,f,g all on 1 hdd but different partitions?

It shouldnt matter what connector u put a SATA on, just change the bootdisk in the BIOS to the hdd with the OS on it
Speedy Gonzales (78)
664632 2008-05-01 08:17:00 Change the bootdisk, in the BIOS, to whatever hdd the OS is on.

Save the settings in the BIOS, then reboot

Are c,d,e,f,g all on 1 hdd but different partitions?

It shouldnt matter what connector u put a SATA on, just change the bootdisk in the BIOS to the hdd with the OS on it Thanks, Speedy.

I was coming back to edit it: this is the disk order when the OS was installed

Music, Media on disk 1
Media 1 on disk 2
OS, Backup on disk 3

I have already tried changing the boot disk priority inside BIOS to no avail. I tried changing the SATA cables over & re-detecting the HDD whilst in BIOS. Then checking their priority. Cheers.
gkar (5215)
664633 2008-05-01 08:26:00 Umm since the hdd is SATA how is the power connected?? Is it connected to the PSU, or are you using a molex to SATA power adapter?

If the 2nd, make sure theyre making contact, if there's no contact, theres no boot

Did you make sure you reconnected the data and power adapters?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
664634 2008-05-01 08:41:00 Umm since the hdd is SATA how is the power connected?? Is it connected to the PSU, or are you using a molex to SATA power adapter?

If the 2nd, make sure theyre making contact, if there's no contact, theres no boot

Did you make sure you reconnected the data and power adapters?

Speedy,

all the drives are visible in both BIOS & Windows. They are connected via SATA power connectors directly to PSU.
gkar (5215)
664635 2008-05-01 08:47:00 Well unless you can change them back in disk management. I wouldnt worry about it. Since it sounds like you can still get into Windows anyway Speedy Gonzales (78)
664636 2008-05-01 08:52:00 Well unless you can change them back in disk management. I wouldnt worry about it. Since it sounds like you can still get into Windows anyway
That's the question: how to change c:>e: & e:>c:

Disk management won't let me adjust drive letters for boot partitions on each drive.
gkar (5215)
664637 2008-05-01 09:01:00 Is this the error / message youre seeing??

The volume volume_label drive_letter is currently in use.

If you continue, the new drive letter will be assigned; but you can still use the old drive letter to access the volume until you restart your computer. The old drive letter will not be available for assignment until you restart.

If it is follow this (support.microsoft.com)

If it isnt what does it say when you try and change it?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
664638 2008-05-01 09:10:00 Speedy,

Inside Computer Management I click on either C: or E: & right-click . I click on 'change drive letters and paths', then click on 'change' .

The confirm box states, 'Windows cannot modify the drive letter of your system volume or boot volume . ' Bugger .
gkar (5215)
664639 2008-05-01 09:18:00 Try This (support.microsoft.com)

You have to edit the registry

Altho its risky doing this, even if you follow the site, it may screw things up
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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