Boot drive suddenly goes missing and machine starts in BIOS


There is no Boot file on the 2TB SSD. If there was, when you boot the computer with the drive inserted or even using a USB Adapter,. Windows would assign a drive letter.

If you mean the .efi file, that should be on the esp partition. Windows won't automatically assign a letter to the esp partition

In a default windows installation there are two .efi files . Both are on the esp partition.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
It needs a drive letter to see it in explorer




The word Boot only shows in diskmgmt for the partition you are currently booted into. You wouldn't expect to see it on a different disk.
Thanks for that info.
I assigned D: to the drive in Disk Management and I was able to see the Windows install on it.

I put it back in the machine m.2 slot and It still was not recognized by the motherboard. (which recognizes the Crucial drive) Not listed in the BIOS

I then I plugged it into the computer using via USB using the external enclosure and it show up in the BIOS. However, when I tried to boot from it in the enclosure, Windows said it need to be repaired. That eventually lead to a windows "Reset".

After the windows reinstall, the machine started with the OS ssd still in the external enclosure.

In the morning I'll try swapping back to the motherboard m.2 slot. Hope it works.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600X
    Motherboard
    ROG STRIX B550-I
    Memory
    16GB 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Dell U3014
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO m.2 500GB x2
Ok, So as I said, the machine started from the drive in a an enclosure. However, putting it back in the mobo m.2 slot and it was not recognized. I then tried a couple other drives. newer Silicon Power 2TB, and an old 256GB. Both were not recognized and did not show up in the BIOS. Only the Crucial consistently does. I'll test with one more drive tomorrow, but I'm dreading that this is a MOBO problem and I have to return or RMA it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600X
    Motherboard
    ROG STRIX B550-I
    Memory
    16GB 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Dell U3014
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO m.2 500GB x2
Ok, So as I said, the machine started from the drive in a an enclosure. However, putting it back in the mobo m.2 slot and it was not recognized. I then tried a couple other drives. newer Silicon Power 2TB, and an old 256GB. Both were not recognized and did not show up in the BIOS. Only the Crucial consistently does. I'll test with one more drive tomorrow, but I'm dreading that this is a MOBO problem and I have to return or RMA it?
As I mentioned above this really sounds like it's not a Drive issue but a problem with the way these mini ITX motherboards connect the main M.2 slot together. You have to ensure all the contacts are meshed together. Not simply the M.2 socket with the NVMe drive but the other parts. Again however not sure about this specific motherboard.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
You have to ensure all the contacts are meshed together. Not simply the M.2 socket with the NVMe drive but the other parts.
I'm not sure what you mean? Are you referring to other components? I just can't explain why it originally worked, and now, of four drives tried in that slot, one drive is consistently found but the others are not. Also the second drive in the second slot is always found. Still, I find it hard to believe everything worked, and it suddenly went awry so soon.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600X
    Motherboard
    ROG STRIX B550-I
    Memory
    16GB 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 1060 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Dell U3014
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO m.2 500GB x2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    My Self
    CPU
    Intel Alder lake i7 12700K
    Motherboard
    Asus z690 Gaming WiFi D4, Bios Ver 4001
    Memory
    32 Gb Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 XMP2
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 3070ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming & Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Via Display port
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell AW2723DF
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440 @ 280Hz G-Sync mode
    Hard Drives
    WD Black SN850 1Tb NVME
    Samsung 980 Pro with heatsink 1Tb NVME
    Samsung 870 Qvo 1Tb SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001 2Tb
    Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-219L
    WD Black SN850x NVME 2Tb x2
    PSU
    Corsair RM850
    Case
    Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Tempered Glass
    Cooling
    Be Quiet Shadow Rock 3
    Keyboard
    Logitech G Pro
    Mouse
    Logitech G903, Lightspeed + Powerplay Mat
    Internet Speed
    900Mb/900Mb Fritz!Box 7590v1
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech C930e webcam
    Synology DS218 play 2 x 4Tb WD Red WD40EFAX

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