Laptop will not boot up without USB device connected

What is the first boot device listed in the BIOS/UEFI?

Louis

I would remove USB devices as boot option...I never list such in the BIOS.

I would make the WDC drive the first option, with the optical drive a 2d choice...the system will boot into the first listed option it detects.

In the event that you truly need to boot via USB...just enter the BIOS/UEFI and elevate the appropriate boot option.

I would also consider replacing the CMOS battery...particularly on a system which I did not build or purchase new...if the settings you make do not hold in the BIOS/UEFI.

Louis

Edited by hamluis, 21 June 2019 - 12:49 PM.

I have never run into this problem. Here are a couple of links that may help diagnose the problem.

https://superuser.com/questions/949331/windows-10-wont-boot-without-usb-stick

https://www.tenforums.com/drivers-hardware/57292-can-not-boot-without-usb-win-10-attached.html

Louis - I did as you recommended, but the reboot behavior did not change. 

JohnC_21 - I followed the links you recommended but was unable to get a resolution that way, either.

I believe the problem is the motherboard, so I will replace it as my next step.  I'll try to remember to get back here to update this post when I have the results of that step.  Thanks to all for your help.

]-[erb

With the USB attached open a command prompt and type:

bcdedit

Post the output.

Does the computer boot a Windows 10 DVD without the USB flash drive attached?

John - As requested:

I don't see anything out of the ordinary in the BCD. Did you attempt to burn the DVD using the Windows Media Creation Tool for Windows 10?

If you have an iso of Windows 10 or any bootable iso file you can burn the iso using Imgburn select a write speed no faster than 8x

. http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?/topic/61-how-to-write-an-image-file-to-a-disc-using-imgburn/

 

System: Lenovo E555 Thinkpad.  AMD A6-7000 processor.  OS: Windows 10.

Laptop was purchased used with Win7 OS.  It booted up properly when purchased.  Subsequently upgraded to Win10.  After the upgrade, the laptop will not boot up unless a USB device is plugged in to a USB port. (Can be  a drive with files; can be a blank drive; can be a USB dongle for a wireless mouse.)  I reset BIOS/UEFI to default values (F9) so - in theory - that should not be the problem. 

Any thoughts?

 

What method did you use to Upgrade?

Can you show us a picture of Disk Management?

Did you have any external Drives connected while doing the Upgrade?

I would back up all my files and do a Clean Install, but let's see the Disk Management first.

Thanks, pc

Reply to pcpunk...

I purchased this laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E555) used.  It is my belief it came new with Win10 Pro, but a previous owner downgraded to Win7 Pro.  After purchase, I tested it and all was well: It booted up properly to the expected desktop, so I knew the hardware was good.  I then upgraded to Win10 Pro doing a clean install from USB flash drive, installing onto the original HDD which I had wiped prior to the Win10 installation. 

The laptop has a CD/DVD drive: There was no disk it it when Win10 was installed, and there were no other USB devices attached.

After the Win10 installation was complete, the laptop would not reboot.  I got the Lenovo splash screen for a few seconds, as i would expect, but then it goes away, the screen goes black, and nothing further occurs.  I forget how I discovered it, but somehow I found the laptop will boot normally with a USB device attached.  And it is apparently any USB device will be OK: USB flash drive; wireless mouse dongle; even a wired mouse.  Something has to be plugged into any USB port for the laptop to boot up. 

To eliminate the HDD as a suspect, I tried a second Win10 Pro install, loading it onto a brand new SSD -- same result. 

I attached the Disk Management window image - I hope it is correct for what you requested. 

As previously posted, I believe the motherboard is at fault, but am open to other ideas. 

Thanks for your interest.

]-[erb

Click the Disk 0 box and then left click > Properties. Under the Volumes tab what is listed as the partition what is listed as the Partition Style? MBR, correct?

If MBR and you UEFI firmware is the setting set to Legacy/CSM boot?

In addition to John's request, what did you use to create the USB Install Media, MCT, Rufus etc?  MCT Creates Hybrid media that will install in MBR or GPT, Rufus as far as I know will need some manipulation to create a Hybrid, or else it is either MBR or GPT, but not both.

Please look at the Device Manager for errors.

Have you done all your updates to see if there are any fixes for possible device manager errors?  Or you may need to find needed drivers at Lenovo.

Is Windows Activated?

What stickers are on the pc, Windows 8, Windows 7 Product key, or none?

Well, the problem appears to be solved, thanks to pcpunk's questions.

First, let me say I have done 10 other Thinkpad upgrades to Win10 in the last three months (various models; E540, E545, E550, etc.), without this problem occurring, so it was easy to think it was a hardware problem rather than a software/firmware problem.  However, pcpunk's questions got me to refocus. 

I had loaded the Win10 Pro from the same flash drive as other laptops, so I knew the problem was not with it.  I also had completed all updates and the problem showed up when rebooting.  However...

I had not updated the BIOS, so I did that.

I also had not done anything with drivers, so I loaded & ran IObit Driver Booster. 

Now when I reboot, it boots up normally with nothing plugged into a USB port.  I don't know what fixed it (BIOS or driver) but if I ever see this again I'll know for sure what to do!

Thanks to all for your input - much appreciated.

]-[erb

Well, the problem appears to be solved, thanks to pcpunk's questions.

Lucky for you, because that's all I got is questions and no answers

Good to see it all working!