PC doesn't boot if SSD is connected

Mqisty · August 17, 2025

(This is for a friend)

He has a pre-built PC he got 6 years ago. He swapped out the SSD with a new one, however recently he wanted to use the old SSD again. When he plugs in the SSD it just straight up doesn't boot, not even into BIOS. Fans spin up, monitor turns on, he sees the BIOS prompt however it doesn't go past that. The PC boots perfectly if he removes the SSD, he's tried using different cables in case that was the issue but nothing changed. Everything is seated and connected correctly.

If he plugs it in while his PC is already booted it shows up in device manager but is not accessible.

(Properties screenshot)

Thomas53 · August 17, 2025

Unplug ALL connected drives and plug the SSD in. Boot up with any live distro of Linux.

After booting their should be an icon for the drive on the desktop, that you will be able to click on and open. It's been too long since I've had to do it so I don't remember what it's named. Just click on them one at a time until you find it.

* This will tell you that not only is there a disk there but will also show the directories on the SSD.

* This way if there is anything that he wants to keep he can copy it to a separate USB stick.

Then open a terminal and type 'gparted' and in the window that opens, in the upper right is a place that show's all the attached drives. You may have to go down the list. Then click on the proper drive and reformat it.

And, yes you can do a similar process Windows, but its faster and easier to do it with Linux.

* And if he's 200% that there's noting on the drive he wants, he can ignore the two steps that are starred. Also 'GParted' can be downloaded and installed on a separate USB stick.