won't boot with external hdd plugged in

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  1. mg8t7gn
    Posts : 91
    win10 professional 64 bit
       New #1

    won't boot with external hdd plugged in


    My Dell insiron desktop will not boot when I have my usb external hdd plugged in. When I was on Win7, this wasn't a problem because I would unplug it when restarting after doing Windows updates. Now that Win10 pro 64 automatically updates and restarts my computer on its own, the computer freezes at the Dell splash screen that has the progress bar on it. I have to force a shut down, unplug the hdd, and push the power on button. Is there a setting for me to either 1- not have updates automatically restart my computer, or 2- figure out why it won't start with the external hhd plugged in? I have no other problems with my computer.
      My Computer
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  3. Berton
    Posts : 14,026
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #2

    Most times I see that happen is because Windows is seeking boot files on the drive listed in the BIOS as first and that includes CD and DVD drives so check that setting.
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  4. Try3
    Posts : 16,975
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #3

    Restart the computer, while the Dell logo is onscreen [i.e. before Windows starts loading], press F2.

    That takes you to the bios where you can change the boot order so that your main HDD is found before it looks at USB-connected devices.

    Denis
      My Computer
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  6. mg8t7gn
    Posts : 91
    win10 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Thanks for the replies. F2 shows the removable drive listed first.How do I make the ssd the first drive?
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  7. Try3
    Posts : 16,975
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #5

    You do what it says at the bottom of that screenshot -
    1 use the up-down arrow keys to highlight the First boot device
    2 press Enter to select it
    3 bioses differ but you will get some sort of list appear fom which you can select the Hard disk as your first one using the +/- PgUp/PgDn keys
    4 Repeat the process to select your second & third boot devices
    5 Just to round things off, press Enter in the selection you show in your photo so you can see its explanation and then do the same for the 'Boot other device' entry. Try pressing F1 as indicated onscreen as that might bring up additional explanations. Then you can post photos here, check your manual, check Dell support website, check Dell user forums.

    Denis
      My Computer
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  8. mg8t7gn
    Posts : 91
    win10 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    This is what I changed, saved, and exited.shut down, plugged in the usb hdd, restarted and got the same result. Did I do something wrong?
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  9. Try3
    Posts : 16,975
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #7

    No, it looks right to me but I don't know what those entries for
    Hard disk boot priority, and
    Boot other device
    mean.

    Denis
      My Computer
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  10. Try3
    Posts : 16,975
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #8

    Both these articles suggest that you need to look around the rest of your bios to disable USB Legacy Support

    Unable to Boot Windows with External Hard Drive Attached? - HDG
    My Computer Won't Boot Up With the External USB Hard Drive Attached

    They also contain other suggestions but I did not find any of them particularly convincing.

    Denis
      My Computer
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  12. clam1952
    Posts : 856
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2 build 19045.2193 Dual Boot Linux Mint
       New #9

    Suggest get rid of Boot other Device, which if memory serves me correctly means other than those listed such as USB.
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  13. mg8t7gn
    Posts : 91
    win10 professional 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    clam1952 said:
    Suggest get rid of Boot other Device, which if memory serves me correctly means other than those listed such as USB.
    Change enabled to disabled?
      My Computer
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