How to Set Your PC to Boot from HDD: Troubleshooting and Solutions

When your PC fails to boot from the hard drive (HDD), you might be stuck relying on booting from an external USB drive. This inconvenience can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. Whether you are using Windows, Linux, or any other operating system, understanding how to set your PC to boot from the hard drive is crucial.

Understand the Boot Process and Access the Boot Menu

When your PC starts up, it goes through a process called 'booting'. During this process, your PC looks for a boot manager or boot loader. The boot manager is responsible for starting the operating system. If your PC is configured to boot from the hard drive, it will load the boot manager from the HDD.

Accessing the Boot Manager

There are a few ways to access the boot menu or boot manager:

Press F8: This is the default key for the Windows boot manager, but it can be different for other operating systems. Del, F12, F2, or Esc: These keys can also be used depending on the manufacturer or model of your computer. Check the documentation or manual of your computer to find out which key is used.

Typically, the BIOS (or UEFI nowadays) will display a flash screen at startup with a prompt indicating which key to press. If the boot screen does not show, you can refer to the following common keys:

F2 F10 F12 Esc

Adjusting Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

Most computers allow you to change the boot order within the BIOS/UEFI settings. The boot order determines which device your PC attempts to boot from first. If the HDD is not listed as the first boot device, you will need to change it.

To access the BIOS/UEFI settings, restart your computer, and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) as described in the boot screen.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you cannot find the boot manager or your PC keeps booting from the USB drive, there could be a few reasons for this:

1. Incorrect Installation: Make sure you installed the operating system (e.g., Manjaro Linux) on the correct device – the hard drive, not the USB.

2. Boot Order Issue: Verify that the hard drive is set as the first boot device in the BIOS/UEFI settings.

3. Live USB Distros: Some live USB distributions like Manjaro might copy all their files into RAM and not access the USB after booting. If you're certain this is the case, you might need to install the OS on the hard drive through the USB.

If you are still facing issues, consider the following steps:

Reinstall the OS: Try reinstalling Manjaro Linux from the USB onto your hard drive. Ensure that you select the correct drive during the installation process. Check Installation Details: Double-check every step of the installation process to ensure no mistakes were made. Review any guides or documentation you might have used. Seek Professional Help: If everything else fails, consider reaching out to paid tech support.

Remember, setting your PC to boot from the hard drive is a fundamental step for any computer user. By understanding the boot process and troubleshooting common issues, you can avoid the frustration of relying on an external USB drive to start your system.