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I have a Dell XPS 15 and have been using it for some time with the factory HD. I got an SSD to be the primary drive (I have installed in the HD bay) and moved the factory HD to the optical bay. When I start it up it boots from the SSD, as expected, but I had a question:

Is it possible for me to choose to boot from the "old HD" currently installed in the optical bay?

New SSD has Win8 and old HD has Win7.

Thanks!

Update 1: I had tried different options in the bios boot menu, but HDD, SATA and CD/DVD, all boots from the SSD. Perhaps, as said in the comments, the caddy I am using does not allow to boot from it... (?)

Update 2: Apparently this caddy I bought has an issue with booting (http://www.amazon.com/review/R2C6PA7PLAHRRD/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_3).

Gus
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2 Answers2

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Indeed as others have noted almost all PCs should have a boot order which is set in the BIOS as well as a boot menu (a one time selective change to the boot order).

For HP's its usually the F10 or del key.
For Dells I think it might be F12 or esc

You know your old HDD can be booted from, so obviously its possible. As for installing it in the CDROM bay, did you use some different electrical adapter or is it still pretty much the same cord (SATA, probably). To prove it to yourself that it can boot, simply disconnect one of the cables from your new drive & boot normally (if that doesn't work try the boot menu)

Hennes
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gregg
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As noted in the update, the caddy I purchased does not allow booting from it.

Gus
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