itsmi2
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Q: Bootcamp doesn't start after adding second disc (SSD)/replacing DVD drive

Hi everyone,

 

I  am writing in desperate need for help with my MacBook Pro mid 2012, non-Retina.

 

The situation: I run Windows through Bootcamp as the only operating system. I replaced the optical (DVD) drive with an SSD drive. Then I switched the SSD drive position with the original HDD position, since the SSD is supposed to host the operating system. Then I cloned the operating system from the HDD to the SSD and removed it from the HDD. Initially, it didn't work, or rather: it would only boot if the HDD was disconnected. However, after playing around with some Windows softwares (Partition manager etc.) to switch from logical to physical disc etc. and resetting the NVRAM it finally worked. It also seemed to help to insert the Windows installation, which I have on a USB drive. Then, a few weeks ago, the system installed Windows updates and the problems begun.. suddenly none of my "recipies" work anymore, and the whole process seems to be way more time-consuming and driven by luck. I now need about 20 (literally) tries to get it started, and I really don't know what's the exact problem. So that's the options I try when starting:

 

- Disconnect all external devices

- Disconnect (2nd) HDD drive

- Resetting NVRAM through option+command+r+p

- Start-up manager through command: No disc is shown

- When I normally start, I get a "Folder"-symbol with a question mark in it

- Disconnecting power and battery and pressing the start-button for 5 seconds

 

I try it in random order over and over again and then, randomly, in between all my tries, it starts. It meanwhile starts very slowly though, despite the SSD. The white screen is often shown for minutes without a sign, before either booting or showing the question mark sign again.

 

Is there any way to fix the Bootcamp, my MBR (or the Apple-equivalent boot settings) etc.? Also, considering that I don't run Mac on it, I cannot use the sudo commands which I saw as potential solutions, and that I don't have an optical drive anymore. Maybe, is there a command line utility I can boot from to fix it even if I cannot get into Windows anymore at all (honestly, it's always a gamble and I don't know if one day I can't load it at all anymore)?

 

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

MacBook Pro, Windows 7, Mid 2012

Posted on Jun 16, 2015 9:33 PM

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itsmi2

Q: Bootcamp doesn't start after adding second disc (SSD)/replacing DVD drive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 17, 2015 4:46 AM in response to itsmi2
    Level 7 (24,805 points)
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    Jun 17, 2015 4:46 AM in response to itsmi2

    1. OS X: Installing OS X on an external volume - Apple Support and both OS X from it.

    2. You have a non-standard configuration and upgrades/updates make assumptions about supported configurations, which will cause you pain and grief, including data loss. Such setups require constant investment of time.

    3. Older Macs have SATA speed issues on the Optibay drives compared to Main bays. If the SSD and the Optical drive in a standard configuration work, but the dual-disk setup does not, it clearly shows what will work and what will not.

  • by itsmi2,

    itsmi2 itsmi2 Jun 17, 2015 5:58 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 17, 2015 5:58 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks a lot for the quick response and analysis of my situation.

     

    1. I cannot follow these instructions since I don't have MacOS on my Laptop. And what would be the befenit of having OS X on my external hard drive? How does that solve my problems?

     

    2. I meanwhile realized that.. but many people use this configuration on the same Laptop, so I assume there must be a way to fix it.

     

    3. I put the SSD into the main bay, so there shouldn't be speed losses. Also: It worked before the update, so it must be a setting/software problem.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 17, 2015 6:05 AM in response to itsmi2
    Level 7 (24,805 points)
    Safari
    Jun 17, 2015 6:05 AM in response to itsmi2

    1. Can you run Internet Recovery - you can use Internet Recovery, or Recovery Disk Assistant to do this. You can also install OS X on an external volume. This would allow OS X utilities to be used to analyze your Mac.

    2. Many people use a similar configuration. Updating such configurations will always cause issues which requires the same effort that you are trying to put in. .

    3. It could also be a firmware change. If the standard configuration works with the SSD in main Bay and the HDD disconnected in the Optibay, SATA issues will cause problems. This may require changing PCIe registers in firmware.