Windows won't boot when external hard drive is connected?

Question

I have a 1TB WD external hard drive but when i turn the PC on, the boot freezes on the black screen with basic computer info on, you know the one before windows xp bit starts.

Trying to access the boot menu doesn't work either, but if i start the pc without the external hard drive plugged in, and plug it in after xp starts, it starts fine.

How can i sort this out?

Answer 1

If you have a USB keyboard don't do this!!!!!!!!!!

The reason for this is the computer is looking for a boot record from this drive, can't find one, get confused and stops.

Unplug the drive and boot But before anything starts hit delete and this should open the bios of the motherboard. Disable legacy USB this will be found in the advanced setup on most Mb's.

Answer 2

not sure about XP i have an 360 external hard drive is not turned on when the PC starts and it is shared between two computers and runs ok, the ex-HDD is really just an HDD in a box, it could be XP might be seeing some issue or it could be some issue with BIOS settings try using the drive with it switched off while the PC runs the basic programme from BIOS into bootstrapping and according to the BIOS will boot from OS.

Answer 3

if you can get into bios (del or F1 button, i forget) , go to boot sequence, make sure your internal HD is set as primary, the cd/dvd is secondary and others third.

that should fix it

Answer 4

has it been formatted..start > right click My computer > manage > disk management > right click it and format