Solved Boot problem - two hard drives

Hi everyone
Hope this post is not too long but would appreciate help please.
I have two PC's each with its own SATA HDD and each with a legit copy of Vista SP2 bought about 12 months apart. Some hardware in one PC is failing so I want to put the HDD from it into the second PC which is newer and then choose which HDD to boot from as the PC starts. One HDD is used solely for work and the other for home and the latter can be used by my family too.

Both HDD's work perfectly if only one is connected to the motherboard at a time but when both are connected only one works. There are two motherboard connections but the problem exists whichever way round the HDD's are put (as one suggestion was to connect the oldest Vista to the board first). Only one HDD shows in BIOS but both show in Explorer. The HDD used to boot works perfectly but the second HDD although it shows 'windows' and 'programmes' folders will not allow access to any files on it and no personal folders/files are listed at all.

Any idea as to what is going wrong here would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi sandgrown,

If the SATA port where second Harddrive is connected to the computer is disabled in the BIOS, then only one Hard drive would be visible in it.

Check in which SATA port is the second Harddrive connected in the computer and ensure that SATA port is enabled in BIOS.

Please revert back for clarification.

The problem is that your computer has no way of knowing that there are two operating systems - unless you tell it. When you start the pc, it looks for a certain type of drive/partition to know which one contains an operating system and once it finds one, it just goes into the normal boot-up routine.

If you want to use two operating systems without having to remove one drive or disable it in BIOS, you need to make a couple of changes which will add an extra option when you start the computer - so it can ask you which operating system you want to boot from.

This article gives a pretty good walk-through of how to do it just using Windows' own tools - Set up a dual-boot system (from Windows Vista Inside Out) - it also suggests a free download that should make it easier.

Alternatively, look at another free application - EasyBCD - Take control of your boot loader | NeoSmart Technologies - which is widely used and has a good reputation.

Just one thing to bear in mind. Even if you are physically able to boot from either drive, you may still have problems using an installation of Windows from another pc. Firstly, Windows is not a "one-size-fits-all" installation - some hugely important files will have been installed that are specific to the other pc's hardware and that could make it unstable or even inoperative on a different computer. Secondly, if the version of Windows was "OEM" - which is almost always the case if it was pre-installed by the manufacturer or system builder - then it is effectively locked to the original pc's hardware and can not be transferred to another pc without you purchasing a new, full licence. It may work for a while but as soon as Microsoft try to verify the activation, it will fail and show up as an unlicenced copy - the same as a "fake" version would.

Hi Madhur B and pengipete.

Many thanks indeed for your prompt replies and very useful information. I am off work this weekend so will try all suggestions and let the group know how I got on.

Thanks again.

Best wishes from a very wet, cold and miserable Blackpool UK.

Hi sandgrown,

Please post the results after performing all the steps.

Hi again
Sorry for the delay in replying. My boss sent me away on business for two weeks! At least I get some expenses! The PC is now working fine. Both SATA ports were already enabled and both HDD have been installed and work perfectly. One o/s was an oem version and the other was a bought and paid for version. The problem turned out to be an intermittent fault on the lead between the motherboard and one HDD. In its normal position the weight of the lead (although light) pulled it downwards which broke the connection. With the lead pushed up manually it worked fine. When the lead were tested on another PC it worked apparently fine because the plug to the HDD was in a different position so the fault did not show up. Thanks for your help guys. Best regards.