How do I make my ssd boot drive even though it doesn't have windows in it?
Posted by CrewAffectionate2673@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 34 comments
I'm tryna install windows right now but it reboots my pc during installation. Normally when it reboots I'm supposed to boot with the ssd to continue the installation but I can't because it doesn't show up as a bootable drive in bios since it doesn't have a os in it. pls help me
Intrepid_Bobcat_2931@reddit
well, using the USB install disk should install enough on the drive to make it bootable, so after your first restart it should be able to boot from the drive and continue installation
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
It still doesn't reboot from the ssd because even after the first reboot it still doesn't show up as a bootable drive
Intrepid_Bobcat_2931@reddit
then something isn't happening as it should. Are you wiping all the partitions during install?
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
Yes
Intrepid_Bobcat_2931@reddit
could be a limitation of the motherboard. Very rarely a combination of slot and drive could be non bootable.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I only have one ssd slotðŸ˜
slowro@reddit
It is an m.2 SSD? Have you tried reseating it?
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I did try reseating it this morning and it was fine so it's not a hardware issue and the PC is working normally it's just the bios that's the problem I believe
Intrepid_Bobcat_2931@reddit
Are you trying to install Windows 11? Could try to install Windows 10 instead
AstarothSquirrel@reddit
You may need to go into the bios, turn on secure boot and enable your tpm. You may benefit from listing your parts in you main post because many users will scroll past posts without a parts list.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
What is tpm and how do I enable it on gigabyte bios?
AstarothSquirrel@reddit
You might need to Google your specific board, it's normally in the security settings. When you turn on the tpm, some motherboards will generate the keys automatically but some you will have an option to generate the keys. Don't ever set your motherboard password unless you know what you're doing and you absolutely have to, on old motherboards you could brick your motherboard if you forget the password.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
But how is tpm gonna help me?
AstarothSquirrel@reddit
Many win 11 installations won't work unless you have the tpm enabled. Some motherboards have a separate module but many modern boards use the tpm of the processor. You can get tailored win 11 installations that don't require the tpm but the fact that you are asking about the tpm makes me think you don't have one of those installations.
Tactrix1h@reddit
So what might be happening is the drive you have is what's considered by newer motherboards as "legacy hardware". And what that basically means is, even though it's not in reality that old, your motherboard doesn't recognize the drive as being plugged in even though it is. What you have to do is go to bios, go into the boot tab and there should be an option for your motherboard to recognize older hardware. Once you turn it on and restart, go back into bios and now your drive should pop up as being recognized.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I was using my pc just fine for 2 months but I had to do a windows reinstall today. My problem is when installing windows after it reboots it should make my ssd boot drive but it doesnt
Tactrix1h@reddit
It should but sometimes the bios doesn't detect it because of that one setting, that's why you have to make sure it's on.
Yurgin@reddit
Does the SSD even show up on boot/bios?
Screenshots would help us very much. Else try to reboot your system and press F11 while it boots or whatever your mainboard companys button is.
Normally you just select your USB-Drive as boot optionnif you wanna install windows and not the SSD itself
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
It doesn't show up
Yurgin@reddit
Try a different (Sata) port if you have one.
Its weird that it doesnt show up at all. Else go into windows and look if Windows can find your drive, if not its either broken or not plugged in right
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I don't have windows I'm trying to install it when I'm installing it reboots my pc. After the reboot the ssd should become a boot drive but it doesn't. It's not a hardware issue.
Yurgin@reddit
Ok thats weird can you ibto your Bios then and look if the SSD is detected/shown?
The only other reason would be that your bootable windows installer is wrong and your PC cant start it.
I dont know if you have a second PC, Laptop etc. nearby if yes try to make a random Linux bootable drive or try to create your windows installer on a different stick.
THEYoungDuh@reddit
If it doesn't show in bios then the drive is not installed correctly.
mrtoomba@reddit
Stop asking for criminal access plwas.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
Bruv wdym I'm just saying that my drive doesn't show up
mrtoomba@reddit
It's accessible in quite a few aggravated ways. 2 choices on this end.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I'm just not gonna respond to u atp
Dr_Tacopus@reddit
Unplug all other drives except the one you want to be the boot drive then try installing windows
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I only have one ssd I'm installing from a usb
Dr_Tacopus@reddit
Do you have any other hard drives of any kind plugged in?
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
No
Naerven@reddit
One thing you can try is to reformat all of your drives. Then unplug all other storage drives leaving the SSD you want Windows as the only drive. Then install Windows. After that is working you then install the other drives.
CrewAffectionate2673@reddit (OP)
I only have one drive I'm installing from a usb but after it reboots during the installation the ssd still doesn't show up as a bootable drive
BmanUltima@reddit
List the hardware you're using.