Laptop doesn't boot because OS is on D: drive instead of C: drive

peter5223 · 18 Oct 2015

My laptop doesn't boot because OS is on E: drive instead of C: drive

Laptop doesn't boot because OS is on D: drive instead of C: drive-img_20151018_161526.jpg

When I try to boot it up (it somehow boots up as windows 8.1 instead of my OS windows 10), it gives a BSoD and shows the error code 0xc000021a. I created a bootable USB drive with windows 10 pro on it, but it shows my OS as windows 8.1 instead of 10, and it doesn't allow me to restore or do a startup repair, because they both fail.

Booting up:

Laptop doesn't boot because OS is on D: drive instead of C: drive-img_20151018_133542.jpg

Repair shows windows 8.1 instead of 10:

Laptop doesn't boot because OS is on D: drive instead of C: drive-img_20151018_175804.jpg

dalchina · 18 Oct 2015

Hi, are you sure your OS is on D:? E: is labelled OS.

And which partition is active? Can you check with a partition manager boot disk?

Run EasyBCD, View settings, and post a screenshot. That will show the boot loader entries.

Has this OS always been on D:? How did it get there? I'd be reluctant to suggest moving it to another partition as I'm pretty sure there will be drive letters embedded in it.

peter5223 · 18 Oct 2015

Thanks for the reply

Yes, sorry, I meant E:

How do I use/get partition manager boot disk and EasyBCD?

dalchina · 18 Oct 2015

Hi, search is a man's best friend... simply search and download.

Try Easeus Partition Manager and create a boot disk. There are many such programs. (freeware & commercial)

Use: either intuitive, or read manual.

EasyBCD - small freeware.
Looks at your boot loader.
(Not tried it from a boot disk, tho...!)
Take control of your boot loader. EasyBCD supercharges your Windows PC, allowing you to dual-boot to your heart's content. Boot anything. Boot both from and into USB drives, ISO images, virtual disks, and more. Boot anywhere. Create bootable USB sticks with repair utilities that you can take with you anywhere. Protect against disaster. Create entries to boot into recovery utilities or safe mode to prepare for a rainy day. Painless editing. Add, rename, remove, configure, and reorder entries at whim. Solve difficult problems. Use EasyBCD to troubleshoot Windows, back up and repair the bootloader, and more. Read more at: https://tr.im/L1YPB

dalchina · 18 Oct 2015

This may be what you will need once we know the partition is ok (Primary, Active)
Restore, Fix, Repair Master Boot Record (MBR) in Windows

Sorry, realised the free version of Easeus Partition Manager does not include the boot CD.
Try
Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

Can you describe how you got to this situation?
What makes you certain that E: should contain Win 10?
(Note; to check, see E:\Windows\SystemApps - you should see Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy)

And what makes you think it's booting Win 8.1- when do you see that?

NavyLCDR · 18 Oct 2015

Really need a picture of your disk management screen because all those drive letters might be separate partitions on one drive, or different drives/DVDs/USBs. It looks like the computer needs to be set to boot from X: drive which requires the bios to be set to boot from that hard drive first, and the partition that contains X: drive needs to be set as the active partition. Then install EasyBCD on whatever OS it boots into and adjust your bcd settings.

Alternatively, use another computer to make yourself a Macrium Reflect Free rescue disc/USB, boot the laptop from it and use the utility included with it to fix boot problems to set up our boot drive/order again.

dalchina · 18 Oct 2015

Hi, this should help you get an idea of which partitions should be active/primary:

Laptop doesn't boot because OS is on D: drive instead of C: drive-minitool.jpg

That's from Minitool Partition Wizard.

NavyLCDR · 18 Oct 2015

I would set X drive as active. Either the 61.93 GB or the 101 MB partition must be the active partition because with MBR type disk you have to boot from a primary partition.

peter5223 · 18 Oct 2015

Hi,
I have downloaded easybcd now, not sure how to use it, do I install in on a USB stick and boot it up on the broken laptop? Windows 10 OS used to be on C: drive until I used some 3rd party application to try and clean up the system, somehow it is now on E: drive, and C: drive is empty. Can't use minitool partition wizard because I don't have any spare cd's lying around. (I will try to put the iso on a usb stick)

dalchina · 18 Oct 2015

NavyLCDR said:

I would set X drive as active. Either the 61.93 GB or the 101 MB partition must be the active partition because with MBR type disk you have to boot from a primary partition.

(That's my functional laptop... not peter5223's)