Disk boot failure. Insert system disk and press enter

[Craig 125]

I built PC with SATA DVD drive for installation, then removed drive for security at office. Now error..."Disk boot failure. Insert system disk and press enter". Everything ran fine until I pulled DVD out.
I set bios: First boot device=HDD  Second boot device=USB-HDD.
I set "EFI CD-DVD boot option" to AUTO, then to NON-EFI. Still get error. What bios settings do I need? I'm building 4 other rigs like this.

WinXP 32 bit
Mobo - GA-970A-D3 rev 1.1
AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE 3.4Ghz (no OC)
Intel 520 series 120GB SSD
RAM Kingston HyperX 2x2GB=4GB
EVGA 512-P3-1311-KR GeForce 210 512MB

[Vezina]

If you set the SATA controller to IDE Mode does the HDD show in BIOS ?!

[Craig 125]

I haven't messed with the bios much before. Where do I find the SATA controller? My most logical choices are:
MB Intelligent Tweaker
Standard CMOS features
Advanced BIOS features
Integrated Peripherals

Then if I change the controller, where do I see if the HDD is recognized? The "PC Health Status" in the bios shows my fan speeds and RAM voltage, but no HDD (or maybe an SSD doesn't show?) Thanks

[Craig 125]

NOTE: Under Standard COMS Features I see that the IDE Channel 0-2 Masters and Slaves are "none" and my choices are to set them to AUTO or NONE.

[Vezina]

NOTE: Under Standard COMS Features I see that the IDE Channel 0-2 Masters and Slaves are "none" and my choices are to set them to AUTO or NONE.

Thats where you should see all devices attached when in IDE Mode.If no name is shown then most probable the device is not detected.

LE:Make sure the power connectors are properly inserted.

[Craig 125]

I've had great fun in ridiculing people for the OBVIOUS mistake over the years! Where was my brain!! I pulled the SSD SATA cable out when I removed the DVD drive. Duhhhh!!! Thanks very much for taking your time to fix my newbie problem. Since this was my first SSD, I wasn't looking for "normal" problems.

[Vezina]

Don t worry ,it happens to all of us.
It happened to me once and i have also saw PC-s working with IDE HDD-s not connected to the molex ,they were somehow taking power from the ribbon cable .It seems that the SATA cable is not able to do it.
Enjoy your PC.

[Craig 125]

One more thing. I think I changed a setting that needs to go back...? In Advanced under EFI CD/DVD Boot Option, I have it now set to NON-EFI. Should that be AUTO or EFI? I'm thinking it was originally AUTO. Don't know it's intent. Thanks again.

[kosobai]

With the setting set to 'Auto', the board will check to see if there is a <2.2TB boot HDD installed. If there is, it will select EFI mode. EFI mode, coupled with Win 7 64bit will ensure that you can boot from this device. If the HDD is >2.2TB, then it makes not difference.

Personally, running a Ubuntu / Win 7 dual boot setup like I do, I've only ever had problems with EFI. You might be able to get away with it with a Win 7 only system.

By the way, the EFI/Non-EFI setting only makes a difference when you do a virgin install of W7.

[Dark Mantis]

It should make little to no difference to you which setting you use unless you have a massive hard drive installed.