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Solved Accidentally changed which drive boots my pc
- Thread starter Ross0
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but just to get your started while you send the specs through.
normally as soon as the PC starts, it may show a prompt along the bottom (usually) about hitting F2 for this and F9 for that.
look for the one that says BIOS or System Settings or Setup (that sort of thing)
but the most common ones are Delete, F2, F10 or sometimes Tab.
so for example, if yours is F2, as soon as you push the On button, start hitting F2 like a crazy person, if that's the right key, you will enter the BIOS Configuration Menu.
but as @vger stated, supplying the PC make and model will help determine what is required for your PC to enter the BIOS setup.
normally as soon as the PC starts, it may show a prompt along the bottom (usually) about hitting F2 for this and F9 for that.
look for the one that says BIOS or System Settings or Setup (that sort of thing)
but the most common ones are Delete, F2, F10 or sometimes Tab.
so for example, if yours is F2, as soon as you push the On button, start hitting F2 like a crazy person, if that's the right key, you will enter the BIOS Configuration Menu.
but as @vger stated, supplying the PC make and model will help determine what is required for your PC to enter the BIOS setup.
you have 2 problems with what you have done.
1) accessing the original boot drive
2) changing the order back
as to 1), some options would be to use a Linux bootable USB stick but then working out #2 is where my Linux knowledge severely sucks.
so if it was mine 1) would be to reload Windows. now with what you have done, a repair reload would be the first thing to try but I don't know how it'll like the state of the partitions now.
so that may leave 1) as a fresh install of Windows (next time, watch what you play with. tsk tsk. but we have all been there
)
and the good news is that big hammer approach will also resolve #2.
either way, the first thing I would be doing is a backup (because you don't have one do you). and that'll only be doable by removing the drive and putting it into another PC or external enclosure.
but look at it this way - if you have to go down the reload path and/or removing drives - is this an opportune time to upgrade that drive to a SSD?
(just trying to give this debacle a silver lining)
1) accessing the original boot drive
2) changing the order back
as to 1), some options would be to use a Linux bootable USB stick but then working out #2 is where my Linux knowledge severely sucks.
so if it was mine 1) would be to reload Windows. now with what you have done, a repair reload would be the first thing to try but I don't know how it'll like the state of the partitions now.
so that may leave 1) as a fresh install of Windows (next time, watch what you play with. tsk tsk. but we have all been there
)and the good news is that big hammer approach will also resolve #2.
either way, the first thing I would be doing is a backup (because you don't have one do you
). and that'll only be doable by removing the drive and putting it into another PC or external enclosure.but look at it this way - if you have to go down the reload path and/or removing drives - is this an opportune time to upgrade that drive to a SSD?
(just trying to give this debacle a silver lining)
the fresh install, as the name implies, starts from a clean slate, so Yes, all data is wiped and you have to reload EVERYTHING again, from Windows to all your software and restore all your personal files.
also, part of that reload process, it'll show you a list of current partitions, I would delete them all and let the install process recreate the OS and recovery partitions for you.
so definitely get your data backed up first.
the repair option offers a 'keep your files' or 'lose your files' choice but only reloads Windows onto the current OS partition and because of your current predicament, I'm not sure that it will get it right (or even help you).
also, part of that reload process, it'll show you a list of current partitions, I would delete them all and let the install process recreate the OS and recovery partitions for you.
so definitely get your data backed up first.
the repair option offers a 'keep your files' or 'lose your files' choice but only reloads Windows onto the current OS partition and because of your current predicament, I'm not sure that it will get it right (or even help you).
How would I backup a hard drive if I can’t get into my pc?
Also what do you mean when you say reload everything?Does it mean like I have to redownload all applications and programs? Also does restore all files mean that stuff like pictures and videos would still be there?
Also what do you mean when you say reload everything?Does it mean like I have to redownload all applications and programs? Also does restore all files mean that stuff like pictures and videos would still be there?
I guess now is not the time to lecture you on the value of image backups? but you should still be able to rescue your documents/music/pics by booting to a live linux cd/usb. Suggest you use a small basic distro like Puppy or Zoron, both of which will allow you to access your files and copy them to an external drive before you nuke windows
Figuring out where your data is will not be difficult with a live Linux bootable media.
I would recommend you do this first irrespective if you intend to try different methods of setting your OS boot order. I have in the past used Mini Tool partion wizard to rebuild a boot record. You will of course have to make a boot disc on a similar machine first. Good luck
Edit: BTW this is my Windows 10 PC shown on a live linux bootable USB, can access and copy/delete/move anything on any drive. Linux has no limitations with Windows files.
Figuring out where your data is will not be difficult with a live Linux bootable media.
I would recommend you do this first irrespective if you intend to try different methods of setting your OS boot order. I have in the past used Mini Tool partion wizard to rebuild a boot record. You will of course have to make a boot disc on a similar machine first. Good luck
Edit: BTW this is my Windows 10 PC shown on a live linux bootable USB, can access and copy/delete/move anything on any drive. Linux has no limitations with Windows files.
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or as I said in post #12, you could always remove the drive from that PC and place it either in another PC or in an external drive enclosure - they cost about $AUD20.
and to answer your questions; yes EVERYTHING will need to be reloaded.
doing Windows will also do it's apps and drivers like sounds and video etc.
but you'll have to reload PhotoShop, Office, your printers, webcam, AV software, Adobe, VLC, CCleaner etc etc etc.
and 'restore all your files' refers to the personal files you need to recover from that drive before proceeding any further.
So as Gus has said, not the time to lecture..... but when this is all done and dusted, start doing a system image and start a backup regime of your personal data AND don't tinker with settings you aren't familiar with or haven't done some research on before-hand. (we have all been there ourselves).
and to answer your questions; yes EVERYTHING will need to be reloaded.
doing Windows will also do it's apps and drivers like sounds and video etc.
but you'll have to reload PhotoShop, Office, your printers, webcam, AV software, Adobe, VLC, CCleaner etc etc etc.
and 'restore all your files' refers to the personal files you need to recover from that drive before proceeding any further.
So as Gus has said, not the time to lecture..... but when this is all done and dusted, start doing a system image and start a backup regime of your personal data AND don't tinker with settings you aren't familiar with or haven't done some research on before-hand. (we have all been there ourselves).
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