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pcss-1

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HP 6300 SFF won't boot if connected with a specific external Hard Drive

Hello I've a curious problem.
When an HP 6300 SFF is connected with an external hard drive Buffalo Drive Station USB 3.0 (3TB) by USB 3.0 or 2.0 won't boot. I tried any settings on BIOS with no results.
If i use another external USB hard drive (always 2.0 or 3.0) everything is ok and computer boot without problems.
Any guideline?
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Kimputer

I suspect a boot sequence problem, try to force it to your fixed drive. I think the hardware works fine if you plug it in AFTER the boot sequence is completed ?
Of course if you're sure you already checked that, it could be a bug in the system. I guess your only next step is to try the BIOS update from the HP website. There should be one that's only a few days old, so hopefully it will work.
the problem can be the fact it is a 3 TB drive  (a GPT drive)
can you test with one smaller than 2 TB?
or just with an usb stick?
post results
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ASKER

Actually I'm trying to update BIOS.
The boot problem is that excluding all devices less the main drive, Windows trying to start then the system shutdown quickly.

With and external drive or USB key less of 3TB everything works. But i need to connect that 3TB HD for backup.

There's a workaround?
So what happens if you connect the drive after Windows has started and you're logged in, and only AFTER this you connect that drive?
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ASKER

I've flashed the BIOS version from 2.83 to 2.9
Nothing has changed. Doesn't boot with the Buffalo 3TB connected.
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ASKER

Hello Kimputer, if i do so, the HD is quickly recognized and everything works. But if i do a reboot, doesn't start anymore.
Do you have access to all 3TB?  If so, is it possible to temporarily move all the files away to another disk and format your 3TB to the simplest form (basic mbr), and format the drive. I know only 2TB is available now, but at least we will know more about how your pc will react.
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ASKER

Hello, i've formatted the HD normally, leaving it GPT. No positive results.
Then i've formatted in MBR (2GB + 1GB unallocated).
The computer still won't boot.
Also the boot process is quite slowly with this HD connected....instead without the Buffalo is very fast.
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nobus
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ASKER

Yes definitely. But also formatting it as ntfs doesn't solve any problem. Won't start anyway.
We've already moved everything on a external WD WDBBJH0015BBK-EESN 1,5TB USB3.
It works perfectly.
We do not solved like expected but that's it.
Thanks.
tx for feedback - though i'm not sure why it does not deserve an A grade..