Solved Can't get SeaTools Bootable to Boot.

Dell Latitude 7430.

I'm trying to use SeaTools Bootable. I was able to get it onto an USB flash-drive, as the first screenshot attached shows. However, it refuses to boot. The second attached screenshot shows my BIOS "Boot Sequences".

You shouldn’t need to change your boot sequence in the BIOS

For your Laptop: To enter the one time boot menu, turn on your computer and then press F12 immediately.

Personally, like getting into the BIOS with delete key (for my PC) I keep pushing the delete key every 1 second just in case the boot sequence misses my prompt. I would do the same with the F12 key.

@antspants
I tried that and was met with the screen seen in the attached screenshot. I then clicked on the USB Drive that is selected in that picture, which caused the system to begin "scanning" the USB-Drive using Dell SupportAssist; once it had "scanned" it it then was about to download some sort of report file. I chose "Cancel" at this point to stop it from downloading that file: I recently tried to completely remove the "Dell SupportAssist" app altogether from my PC, so I don't really want my PC now trying to utilise anything to do with Dell SupportAssist. That whole process didn't seem like it had much to do with Booting SeaTools on the USB-Drive.

_william said:

@antspants
I tried that and was met with the screen seen in the attached screenshot. I then clicked on the USB Drive that is selected in that picture, which caused the system to begin "scanning" the USB-Drive using Dell SupportAssist; once it had "scanned" it it then was about to download some sort of report file. I chose "Cancel" at this point to stop it from downloading that file: I recently tried to completely remove the "Dell SupportAssist" app altogether from my PC, so I don't really want my PC now trying to utilise anything to do with Dell SupportAssist. That whole process didn't seem like it had much to do with Booting SeaTools on the USB-Drive.

View attachment 91432

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I’m unclear as to why it would of been scanning that drive, seems like an over protective move by DELL Support.
As you have it installed at boot anyway, I am going to “Assume” that whatever it is downloading would be a basic readable file?
Still and regardless, I don’t know why it wouldn’t just boot to your Cruzer.
You seem to have a boot folder and auto run so I am not sure what’s going on, William.

_william said:

@antspants
I tried that and was met with the screen seen in the attached screenshot. I then clicked on the USB Drive that is selected in that picture, which caused the system to begin "scanning" the USB-Drive using Dell SupportAssist; once it had "scanned" it it then was about to download some sort of report file. I chose "Cancel" at this point to stop it from downloading that file: I recently tried to completely remove the "Dell SupportAssist" app altogether from my PC, so I don't really want my PC now trying to utilise anything to do with Dell SupportAssist. That whole process didn't seem like it had much to do with Booting SeaTools on the USB-Drive.

View attachment 91432

Click to expand...

On my boot menu, I highlight the USB stick and hit ENTER (Return), and that starts my MR bootable rescue media.
But I'm on a self built desktop.

I wonder if it has to do with the "revocations"?
For the MR bootable rescue media, the revocations meant I had to rebuild the USB stick in a certain way.
The revocations broke the MR bootable media, until it was rebuilt as per MR directions.


You might want to check the Seagate forums, to see if there is a similar solution?

_william Try disabling “Secure Boot”

Ghot said:

On my boot menu, I highlight the USB stick and hit ENTER (Return), and that starts my MR bootable rescue media.
But I'm on a self built desktop.

I wonder if it has to do with the "revocations"?
For the MR bootable rescue media, the revocations meant I had to rebuild the USB stick in a certain way.
The revocations broke the MR bootable media.

Click to expand...

Dell likes to over complicate. I’m starting to wonder about them. I am proffering my wifes Lenovo when it comes to simple processes. I think Dell is off my list.

antspants said:

Try disabling “Secure Boot”

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Yep... that was the temp solution to the broken MR bootable rescue media. ^^
Actually, that's the temp solution for any recently broken bootable media... disable Secure Boot.

Disable Secure Boot, then boot from whatever, and have it do it's thing.
When you're finished, re-enable Secure Boot.

Another fubar solution, brought to you by your friends at Microsoft.

If disabling the secure boot doesn't work, it would seem you’re not alone (And this comment isn’t even due to a Dell)
The first comment after the main post, apparent resolution for this person (Might be worth skimming over the whole thread):

Ghot said:

I see that link hiding under that picture. Aren't you the crafty bugger.

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? I have to be honest, this time you’ve stumped me.

Ghot said:

When you click on the pic... it takes you to the reddit link.
You didn't do that on purpose?

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Actually no. Apparently this forum has a way to deal with Reddit links as it does to deal with YouTube links.
This is what I see on my iPad

Run Seagate SeaTools

SeaTools Bootable provides a basic suite of diagnostic utilities in an environment independent of your installed operating system. This will allow you to test, diagnose, and possibly repair your hard drive, even if your operating system environment is inaccessible.

Please download and use the SeaTools Bootable to create a bootable USB that you can use to diagnose hard drives and monitor SSDs.

The flash drive must be at least 256 MBs but no larger than 32 GBs.

Use SeaBoot_11-18-2019_RC5.usbBootMaker.exe to create bootable USB.


1. Insert the SeaTools USB device and reboot or power on your computer.

2. After SeaTools loads, the Drive List will show different storage devices in your system. Select the drives you would like to test.

3. The menus provide an array of diagnostic tests. Select the test you would like to perform on the selected drives. Please click on Long Generic Test. Long Generic Test scans the entire drive for defects. It will take a long time to complete. Because this test reads every sector on the drive, the amount of time required will depend on the speed and capacity of the disk drive. The highest capacity drives often take 3 to 5 hours per terabyte to complete. At any time, feel free to Cancel the test without harming the drive. Long Test is completely data safe.

4. The test will indicate either Pass or Fail. Upon completion of running the diagnostics, the test results will be given. A log for each device is automatically saved if you have booted from a USB device. Test results are automatically saved in a log file with a file name based on the drive serial number. Post the results of the scan in your topic.

antspants said:

If disabling the secure boot doesn't work, it would seem you’re not alone (And this comment isn’t even due to a Dell)
The first comment after the main post, apparent resolution for this person (Might be worth skimming over the whole thread):

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Yes I found that thread as well. I did actually try that method in that comment, about creating some extra files for it, before posting here, but it did not avail me...

@FreeBooter I think you've just copy-pasted SeaGate's own instructions for using SeaTools Bootable there, haven't you? I recognised it from having read them myself...

@Ghot Yes I'll try disabling "Secure Boot"...

antspants said:

I am going to “Assume” that whatever it is downloading would be a basic readable file?

Click to expand...

Yes that sounds like what I remember it saying it was.

_william said:

@FreeBooter I think you've just copy-pasted SeaGate's own instructions for using SeaTools Bootable there, haven't you? I recognised it from having read them myself...

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Instead of following the instruction you want to know where it comes from why is it mattered i have no clue.

_william said:

I was able to get it onto an USB flash-drive, as the first screenshot attached shows. However, it refuses to boot.

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How did you write SeaTools Bootable to the USB? Using their own bootmaker tool?

_william said:

I think you've just copy-pasted SeaGate's own instructions for using SeaTools Bootable there, haven't you?

Click to expand...

Yes, they have; copy and paste verbatim (as usual).

FreeBooter said:

Instead of following the instruction you want to know where it comes from why is it mattered i have no clue.

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Why you can't just post a link to the instructions you copied and pasted from and then ask the OP if they've read them? I have no clue.