System boot with USB SSD attached


J

johnml49

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Windows 11 Pro
I have two Seagate Backup Plus USB SSD drives attached to my computer. Very often when I turn on my system it fails to boot, no error just a blank screen. If I disconnect the two drives, I boot no problem.
Just to be clear, I am not booting from the USB SSD drive, they are just attached to the system.
Any Ideas what's happening?

Thanks,
John
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Proi9 10900 2.80GHz32 GBAMD Radeon R7 200 series
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
i9 10900 2.80GHz
Motherboard
Asus Prime Z 590M- Plus
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon R7 200 series
Sound Card
RealTek High Definition Autio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung LED 24"
Hard Drives
(C:) SAMSUNG (MZ-V7S1T0B/AM) 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB - M.2 NVMe Interface
(D:) (E:) Model WDC WD10EARS-00Y5B1 1TB
Seagate Backup Plus 2TB USB SSD
Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB SSD
PSU
Corsair RM850X
Case
Silverstone GD04
Cooling
Intel stock cooler with CPU
Keyboard
Logitech wireless
Mouse
Logitech wireless
Internet Speed
350 Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
MS Defender, Bitdefender
Have you made sure the HDD Windows 11 installed on is the first boot device in BIOS?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I have found this to be true on a number of systems, no matter what the boot order is in bios. For people that keep their usb devices plugged in all the time and have this problem, what I have found to work is to disable usb as a boot option in your boot order. I think it's because some BIOSes are buggy. A good BIOS should skip over invalid devices but not all of them do for whatever reason. Try updating your BIOS.
Then if you ever have a need to boot from a usb drive, change it back as a boot option in bios
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
I have one old Flash Drive that will disable boot on just about any PC that I plug it in to. And I have one old PC, that will not boot to it's internal SSD if a Flash Drive is plugged into any USB port. so I've just put a sticky note on that PC, to not boot up with a FD plugged in.
Weird problems come with simple fixes. Sometimes.

TM :cool:
 
johnml49 said:
I have two Seagate Backup Plus USB SSD drives attached to my computer. Very often when I turn on my system it fails to boot, no error just a blank screen. If I disconnect the two drives, I boot no problem.
Just to be clear, I am not booting from the USB SSD drive, they are just attached to the system.
Any Ideas what's happening?

Thanks,
John
Click to expand...
I had exactly that problem with USB flash drives. I had set the BIOS boot order to look for USB flash drives first in case I ever needed to boot from my emergency recovery flash drive. But when I did that, my PC wouldn't boot if I had any flash drive plugged in. So I gave up on boot order and have it set to always boot from the C: SSD drive. If I ever do need to boot from the flash drive, I'll have to go into BIOS and do it as a one-off situation.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Ryzen 9 7900X64 GBNvidia GeForce GTX 1650
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
Ryzen 9 7900X
Motherboard
ASUS ROG STRIX B-650 E-F
Memory
64 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
Hard Drives
C: SSD, 500 GB
D: HDD, 1 TB
J: HDD, 1 TB
Antivirus
Norton
Thanks all for your help. Eksy61, I'll try changing the BIOS.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Proi9 10900 2.80GHz32 GBAMD Radeon R7 200 series
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom
CPU
i9 10900 2.80GHz
Motherboard
Asus Prime Z 590M- Plus
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon R7 200 series
Sound Card
RealTek High Definition Autio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung LED 24"
Hard Drives
(C:) SAMSUNG (MZ-V7S1T0B/AM) 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB - M.2 NVMe Interface
(D:) (E:) Model WDC WD10EARS-00Y5B1 1TB
Seagate Backup Plus 2TB USB SSD
Seagate Backup Plus 4 TB USB SSD
PSU
Corsair RM850X
Case
Silverstone GD04
Cooling
Intel stock cooler with CPU
Keyboard
Logitech wireless
Mouse
Logitech wireless
Internet Speed
350 Mbps
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
MS Defender, Bitdefender
Eksy61 said:
If I ever do need to boot from the flash drive, I'll have to go into BIOS and do it as a one-off situation.
Click to expand...

johnml49 said:
Thanks all for your help. Eksy61, I'll try changing the BIOS.
Click to expand...

You both have ASUS boards (as do I) so on system startup (or restart), with the USB plugged in, start tapping F8. You'll be given this "one-off" boot menu. This is how I boot to all my bootable flash drives. There's no need to modify your boot order in BIOS.

1676619343722.png
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655Intel® Core™ i7-14700KG.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-14700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z690-PLUS WIFI BIOS 4505 11/29/25
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11 25H2)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe 25H2 DEV/Games
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Corsair Nautilus 360 RS AIO
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    750Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    MR 8.1 Home

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655Intel Core i7-11700F64 GB DDR4MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-11700F
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi (BIOS 2803)
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy Fx V2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 Black AIO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
  • System Three
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    ASUS PRIME Z370-P II BIOS 3004 7/12/21
    Intel Core i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz
    32GB DDR4 RAM (4x8)
    iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Mid-Tower Desktop
@Scott He is not trying to boot from the usb drive. The problem is he can't boot into windows if there is a usb drive plugged in whether that drive is bootable or not. I believe what the OP means is he's going into bios to turn off usb boot so the mobo doesn't even look for a usb drive in the boot order. If turning it off fixes his problem, if ever he needs to boot from usb he'll have to turn the option back on at that time. Then a bootable usb drive will show up in the one-time boot menu.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Had it happen occasionally a while back. Switching to using a powered USB hub seemed to solve it. Has not happened since then.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    25H2 10.0.26200 26200.8655AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSDDR5-5600 / PC5-44800 DDR5 SDRAM SO-DIMM32GAMD Radeon 780M
    OS
    25H2 10.0.26200 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SER8 Mini
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AZW SER8 AMD Promontory/Bixby FCH
    Memory
    DDR5-5600 / PC5-44800 DDR5 SDRAM SO-DIMM32G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 780M
    Sound Card
    AMD Zen - Audio Processor - HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 LG HDR 32"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial NVMe
    2TB Crucial NVME
    WD 1TB SSD SATA to USB3
    1 Seagate BUP Slim 2TB SATA to USB3
    1 Seagate BUP Slim 4TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung SSD 1TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung 500G SATA to USB3
    500G Crucial SSD to USB3
    PSU
    Beelink Proprietary
    Case
    Beelink Proprietary
    Cooling
    Beelink Proprietary
    Keyboard
    Logitech Backlit USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile 5G 500 T-Mobile Home Internet -Asus ZenWifi AX Mesh
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security 1.451.235.0 version created 6-2-2026
    Other Info
    Macrium X Build 10.0.8843
    Minitool Pro Ultimate 13.6
    REVO Pro 5.5.0.0 Portable
    JAM Treesize 9.7.2.2203 Perpetual Outdated.
    JAM Ultrasearch Pro 4.9.1.1204 Perpetual Outdated.
    Malwarebytes Pro 5.5.7.255 Update 1.0.110434 Component 157.0.5633
    Screenpresso Pro 2.2.12.3 beta (.Net 4.8) 2026-5-026
    Hamrick Vue Scan Pro 9.8.51.13
    Visio 2021 Pro 2021 MSO (Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076) 64-bit
    Droid Transfer-Android 26.2.26.0
    Thunderbird 151.0.1
    em Client 10.4.5326
    Affinity Suite 3.2.1
    Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076) 64-bit
    Adobe Creative cloud Version 6911 Apps 6.9.0.618 CCLibrary 4.16.2 (Photo subscription)
    HXD Hex Editor Version 2.5.0.0
    DAW Software Reaper-Izotope Plugins
    TGRMN Software ViceVersa Pro Build 6015 and VVEngine 3 Build 3000
    ISOBuster Pro 5.8.0.0
    Microsoft Visio Pro 2021 Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076
    Many Other free and paid applications
    WYSIWYG Web Builder 21.07
    Filezilla 3.70.5
    Putty .83 and Putty Gen .83
    System Informer 4.0.26144.416 Stable
    O&O Regedit Version12 Build 2172
    WINRAR 7.22
    Lockhunter 3.4.3.146. x64
    Advanced IP Scanner 2.5.1
    Epson Eco Tank Printers and Epson Scanners.
    Bluestacks for Ring Cameras
    PEAK DCA Transistor Graphical USB Interface for Viewing Transistor Operational Curves. Win 10 Version and has functioneded on Win11 perfectly. Version 1.1.1963.
    Games - Card Games -Microsoft FSX "Pro Gold Flight Sim with add ons. Still works perfectly.
    Still run a few older onese successfully on win11 as well with no graphic issue.

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro OEM 25H2 OS Build 26200.7019AMD Ryzen 7 8845HSDDR5 32GBeelink SER7
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro OEM 25H2 OS Build 26200.7019
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    DDR5 32G
    Graphics card(s)
    Beelink SER7
    Sound Card
    Beelink SER7
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell
    Screen Resolution
    Native
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial NVMe SSD 2G SATA
    PSU
    Beelink Proprietary
    Case
    Beelink Proprietary
    Cooling
    Beelink Proprietary
    Keyboard
    gaming keyboard
    Mouse
    MS
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile 5G
    Antivirus
    Defender Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family Office
    Macrium X Subscription1 Version 10
    Mini-Tool Ultimate 13.0 Lifetime
    Malwarebytes Premium w/VPN 5
    Revo Pro Portable Pro 5
    Roboform 9.7.7.
    Others. (All legit)
glasskuter said:
@Scott He is not trying to boot from the usb drive. The problem is he can't boot into windows if there is a usb drive plugged in whether that drive is bootable or not.
Click to expand...

Ubderstood.

glasskuter said:
I believe what the OP means is he's going into bios to turn off usb boot so the mobo doesn't even look for a usb drive in the boot order. If turning it off fixes his problem,
Click to expand...

That should fix his problem.

glasskuter said:
if ever he needs to boot from usb he'll have to turn the option back on at that time.
Click to expand...

He wouldn't need to turn it back on just by using the ASUS F8 boot menu.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655Intel® Core™ i7-14700KG.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-14700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z690-PLUS WIFI BIOS 4505 11/29/25
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11 25H2)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe 25H2 DEV/Games
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Corsair Nautilus 360 RS AIO
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    750Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    MR 8.1 Home

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655Intel Core i7-11700F64 GB DDR4MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-11700F
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi (BIOS 2803)
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy Fx V2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 Black AIO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
  • System Three
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    ASUS PRIME Z370-P II BIOS 3004 7/12/21
    Intel Core i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz
    32GB DDR4 RAM (4x8)
    iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Mid-Tower Desktop
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