XC-1760 SSD upgrade won't boot the options line disappeared from the Bios.

I have an XC-1760 running Windows 11 on a HDD. I have fitted a Viathan 1Tb SSD to the M3 slot and want to run the operating system on the SSD. The SSD has Windows 11 pre-installed.

The Bios sees both drives and in the boot section it listed a first Boot priority option - either Windows Boot Manager or the SSD (referred to by serial no.). I changed the order but it always booted on the HDD. I then disabled the Windows Boot Manager in the dialogue box and the options line disappeared from the Bios. When I then tried to boot I got a Windows Stop Code - Inaccessible boot device. I also enabled VMB controller which made no difference.

Feeling perplexed and now unable to start the PC I decided to remove the SSD and see if it booted on the HDD. It didn't - just gave a message saying the machine needs a repair or recovery disk. I revisited the Bios disabled the VMB controller and am mighty pleased to report that the PC started.

I have inspected the drives on Disc Management and can see that the SDD does have the usual Hidden partitions (100Mb and 750Mb) at each end of the F: drive, which has the normal windows folders on it. I have also now updated the Bios to R01-B1.

Finally I have tried to start the machine with the SSD in and the HDD disconnected. The Bios showed Boot device as Windows Boot Manager. It didn't boot and gave Message - Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain enough info….. File :\BCD error code 0xc0000098.

I have seen BCD repair instructions on line but think these are for repairing the live operating system not the hidden partition on a drive only available as a storage device.

Grateful for any advice.

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Accepted answers

Jonboy331

PROBLEM SOLVED

I simply typed 'bcdboot E:\Windows' and entered in Terminal (Admin), from Windows running on the HDD.

This added the option to Windows Boot Manager. When I restarted it went into the dual boot screen and I was able to select Windows on either HDD or SSD.

Ref https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/bcdboot-command-line-options-techref-di?view=windows-11 > Set up or repair the boot menu on a dual-boot PC

The SSD windows is Win11 version 23H2 bang up to date and speed of booting, updating, installing, using edge browser etc, is transformational. Really pleased!

All comments

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/698674/xc-1760-ssd-upgrade-wont-boot

This TC-1760 desktop boot drive should be put on the PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 SSD drive as its the fastest drive of this desktop, the 3x SATA-3 slots are for either 3.5" or 2.5" HDDs or SSDs for different OS like Linux, Ubuntu or to be used for storage etc and not as the major operating system drive. Show us a caption of Disk Management.

Is the Viathan 1TB SSD a PCIe3x4 SSD? As its Win-11 OS is probably faulty or it doesn't synch with your desktop hardware and drivers if its from another PC, hence and why you are getting the error and no boot and you will never ever be able to boot this SSD on your TC-1760. You need to clone your existing Win-11 working OS onto the Viathan 1TB SSD drive and then take the old Win-11 OS HDD out when you boot your desktop for the desktop to work. Afterwards, you can put the old HDD into the desktop and format it and put whatever OS or backup files you want on it.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Jonboy331

Hi StevenGen

Many thanks for your quick response. The Viathan SSD is shown below

It is fitted in the only available slot on the motherboard as shown in other discussions on this forum

The Disk Management screen is shown below

I have also run Advanced Startup Options >Troubleshoot >Command Prompt >bootrec /rebuildbcd

This recognises the Windows installation on the SSD (Drive E:) but when I answer Yes to be added to the Boot Library it says 'Path not found'. Disk Management had the SSD labelled F: so I changed it to E: but the BCD repair still didn't work.

I wanted to avoid the cloning business which is why I paid a bit more to get the SSD with Windows 11 installed. Viathan EU have now responded to an email I sent. I have sent them screen shots of the error notice when I try to boot from Windows Boot Manager as below. I await their response.

In the Bios the boot priority options have changed since I first attempted to change the boot order.

I now get either Windows Boot Manager (which I have assumed is the SSD) or The Toshiba HDD (named by serial No). I get the recovery message if I select WBM as priority but the machine will boot up if I select the HDD.

When I first started I was seeing the Viathan SSD in the hard disk priority options and the other option was possibly Master Boot Record? I can't remember. It may have been WBW? Whichever I chose it always ran the operating system on the HDD and showed the SDD as a storage disc.

I feel I'm not far away from solving this issue.

Grateful for any further suggestions.

Regards

Jonboy331

ps The SSD is fitted to the M.2 slot (My error in first post).

Jonboy331

PROBLEM SOLVED

I simply typed 'bcdboot E:\Windows' and entered in Terminal (Admin), from Windows running on the HDD.

This added the option to Windows Boot Manager. When I restarted it went into the dual boot screen and I was able to select Windows on either HDD or SSD.

Ref https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/bcdboot-command-line-options-techref-di?view=windows-11 > Set up or repair the boot menu on a dual-boot PC

The SSD windows is Win11 version 23H2 bang up to date and speed of booting, updating, installing, using edge browser etc, is transformational. Really pleased!

Quick Links

Top Members

Weekly

Puraw 200

Jack22 110

GAMING6698 60

vsparky 60

Franzinatr 40

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™