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Trying to boot windows from external hard drive to my new ssd, but i have no down button to select.

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MrSadPants

MrSadPants

PCHF Member
Jul 4, 2017
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#1
i have no down button to select my external hard drive in the boot menu. Is the only way forward to replace the keyboard? I have tried pressing all sorts of keys but it seems the only one that works for down is the one im missing. Also, will getting a new keyboard mean that I will have to install it, ie, put back in the old hard drive? Thank in advance for your help.
 
#2
Keyboards are generally plug and play and don't typically involve your hard drive. What 'boot menu' are you talking about? In Windows or the BIOs? Is the down arrow on your keyboard not working?
 
#3
Bill1 said:
Keyboards are generally plug and play and don't typically involve your hard drive. What 'boot menu' are you talking about? In Windows or the BIOs? Is the down arrow on your keyboard not working?
Click to expand...
Yeah its the BIOs I was referring to, but only just discovered the name for it a minute ago. My down key is missing and the part where the key used to press down isnt receptive anymore so its completely broken. Im thinking I will just buy a new keyboard to plug into my laptop?
 
#4
Hello folks,

MrSadPants said:
Im thinking I will just buy a new keyboard to plug into my laptop?
Click to expand...
Always a good idea to post your computer details when looking for help MrsadPants, using a USB keyboard with a notebook is fine if being kept at home but if you post the brand and model name or number of the notebook we can check on prices and how easy or difficult they are to fit.
 
#5
So you are trying to boot your computer form an external HDD via USB with a broken keyboard?
Firstly please replace the keyboard for a fully working one.
And as Phillpower2 states please add specifications of the computer on your next post.
Not all computers support booting from USB.
If your computer supports booting from USB then set that as priority in BIOS.
Is there already an OS on the external hard drive?

JB.
 
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#6
A USB keyboard plugged into a laptop, might not be recognized in the BIOS.

Before you buy a USB keyboard, borrow one and see if it works. If it doesn't you'll need to replace the keyboard on the laptop. So the money you saved from not buying the keyboard that doesn't work can be put towards a new keyboard.

I just had a keyboard replace in a laptop from 2011. The keyboard cost $30. I had someone do it because I didn't trust myself to replace it. The labor cost $32 but was worth it. I watched him replace the keyboard and now feel confident that I could do it myself.
 
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