Windows Freeze at Bootup after HD install

17 years ago

I have a question and am hoping someone can help me. I installed a Seagate external hard drive yesterday (FreeAgent/Desk 1 TB) that I will use to store backups and photos. I also added a USB hub since I'm running out of USB ports. I transferred my photos and did a manual backup for all my documents as well as let it run its normal nightly back up and everything worked well.

This morning, on boot up, the screen froze at the HP blue screen that has the option of F1 Setup and F10 (something or other...because for some reason for years the font has been so large on that screen that I can't read the rest of it). I couldn't escape out of that screen so manually turned off the computer and that screen was still there when I turned it back on.

Since the only thing different was the HD and the USB hub, I disconnected the HD by pulling out the hub connector from its port. The computer then booted normally.

Is there something else I need to do as far as preparing for the new external HD? Any help appreciated.

Microsoft XP Professional

Version 2002

Service Pack 2

AMD Athlon 64 Processor

3200+

2.00 GHz, 512 MB of RAM

Firefox 3.0.6

Pam

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Comments (9)

pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
I forgot.........one other change I made was to change the settings recommended re: the Adobe Flash Cookies by randy_ca. Could it be connected to that? Thank you!
Pam
randy_ca
17 years ago
You're going to need to do the F1 setup to enter the BIOS.
What's happening is the computer is trying to boot from the external.
In the BIOS under Boot, set it so the main HD is the first boot device, or the DVD/CD ROM can be first and the main HD second, that won't matter as long as the main HD is set to boot before any other drives or usb drives.

Bios are made by different mfgs, so can't give you exact wording, but under BOOT or Main you'll find something about boot order.

I have one machine that boots with Flash Drives and External Drives, another that won't, no matter what I've enabled in the bios.
So on the one machine that won't boot with flash drives or external drives, I just unplug them, boot - then plug them back in.
Isn't is great to have a 1TB external though.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
yep that is likely exactly what is happening, I have a seagate free agent pro and I just turn mine off first then use the remove safely to disconnect it when I do a reboot or shutdown.
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you randy_ca. I think I may end up doing what you and ravencajun do....just turning it off and disconnecting it for bootups and shutdowns.

Two questions:
1)When I tried randy_ca's instructions to enter the BIOS, on the blue HP screen, nothing happens when I press F1 for Setup. Is there another way to get to BIOS? Or will I be better off just turning it off and unplugging it before booting?

2) Ravencajun - Oops, I was "practicing" the remove safely and messed up. I right clicked on the tray icon and chose "exit" thinking it would turn off the HD so I could use the remove safely and the icon disappeared. Can I get it back?

Yes, I think I'll be happy with the addition of the external HD. My photos and docs feel so....so.....secure.
:)

Thank you both for teaching.
Pam
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
it should come back on reboot but that does happen on occasion.
You most definitely want to use the turn off touch pad on the seagate to turn it off before disconnecting it, or you could damage your data or drive.
Here is the info on your icon
where did the icon go?

also the seagate site has some really good user manuals I found useful with my drive.
padd_y
17 years ago
If the safely remove hardware icon doesn't show after a reboot do this.

Click start > control panel >Appearance and Theams.
Then taskbar and start Menu. Then click customize .
Then high light safely remove hardware you will then see
A drop down box with 3 options 1 hide when inactive 2 Always hide .3 always show.
You will also have option to restore defaults .. you will also see Past items and current ItemsÂ

Paddy...
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
So sorry, I wasn't clear. It was the Seagate tray icon that disappeared, but yes, raven, it did come back when I rebooted! Thank you.

One more question for you, Raven, if you don't mind. I don't see a touch pad on my drive to turn if off. I also don't see an option to disable/turn it off when I left click the tray icon. I checked the user's guide and don't see anything there. I have the FreeAgent/Desk. Can I use the remove safely without turning it off?

Thanks too, Paddy!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
ok I have the free agent pro and can not remember the differences but on mine on the flat base part not on the upright vertical part there is a little circle with a line going through the middle you can feel it as it is raised in the plastic, that is the on-off, it is not a button, you just lay your finger on it and it will turn off or on takes a few seconds. Yours may be different but the guides will help you there.

go here and select your model then on the right are very helpful links
FreeAgent External Hard Drive Support
pfmastin
Original Author
17 years ago
Raven, thank you so much! I did find on the knowledge base that there isn't a power switch on my model. Powering off and on is done by disconnecting and connecting the power connector. I've printed out the instructions for turning on and off the HD while the computer is off or on. Again, thank you...this is such a nice forum.
Pam

Windows Freeze at Bootup after HD install

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Windows Freeze at Bootup after HD install

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