Installed a new RunCore mSATA SSD in my X220 And Get A Blank Screen With A Cursor :(

I just purchased a new RunCore mSATA 120GB SSD (RCP-V-T501B-MC) to go inside of my shiny new Lenovo X220 Laptop. When I insert the mSATA drive and then boot up my X220, all I get is a Blank Screen with a cursor

What gives?

Isn't this just plug and play? Did I have to do any BIOS changes before installing the SSD?

Please help

 

Make sure the boot order in the BIOS is set to look for whatever drive contains the OS. (Not sure why you would get a cursor if that weren't the case, but still.)

 

The original boot order was PCI (I literally just got it). I set it to my 2.5" SSD, but even then, I still get the blank black screen with a cursor.

 

I'd say it's most likely something wrong with the drive. Mine was plug and play.

 

and you've installed windows properly on the msata?

 

Does Windows load? When you say a "cursor", do you mean a mouse arrow ( ) or a black screen with a place to type? i.e.



Sounds to me like you're attempting to boot into a blank hard drive...

 

A cursor, not a mouse arrow. I did not install windows on the msata. I do not wish to use the msata as a boot drive. I already have an SSD for my C drive. I bought this so I could have TWO SSDs in my X220. I want the msata as an ADDITIONAL drive.

I'm hoping nothing is wrong with the drive, but maybe I got a defective unit

 

You didn't answer whether Windows boots at all. Assuming it doesn't, keep playing with the boot order to see if you can bring your SSD to the top. Even if the mSATA is faulty, I don't see why that would keep your main SSD from booting up...

 

Hi. I already said that WITHOUT the msata SSD, Windows boots just fine as I have a 2.5 SSD installed with Windows on it.

When I install the msata, I get the usual Lenovo Screen followed by a blank screen with a blinking cursor.

 

Did you? I don't see that...

Perhaps try booting into a Linux liveCD and see if the mSATA is recognized? Not much more to try if you can't get any OS running with the mSATA plugged in (and you're sure the computer's not trying to boot off it)...

 

Yes, I did. Maybe you misinterpreted. I have Win 7 Pro already installed in my factory 2.5 SSD. I have been using my X220 for a day now (received it yesterday). It boots fine and runs great.

When I plug in the the msata which I received today, I get that blank screen. I just took it right out of the box and installed it. No dice. Even in desktops and other laptops where I installed secondary hard drives, if they were faulty, they would usually just be bypassed and load the OS from the primary SSD.

This sucks. Must be a faulty drive.......

Looks like I got it! Boot order indeed. Feel so dumb! (Esp because I always configure stuff like this on desktop systems... I build my own).

Sorry for wasting anyone's time, but I appreciate the speedy replies. I'm new to this forum and very happy to be here!

I purchased this msata to do Audio Work (Pro-Tools). I'm very excited.

I plan on getting one of those Sandisk Extreme Pro SDs in the very near future also!

 

so i'm guessing the computer was trying to boot off the blank msata drive then, right?

 

Yessir! So mad I wasn't paying close attention! Should've been the first thing I thought of by way of investigating in the BIOS. I wrongfully assumed that the primary would be first priority. I also "thought" I was changing the boot order, but did not.

I am very excited with this laptop. I just upgraded from an X200T and don't miss my multitouch screen at all!

 

It seems as though I'm in the same boat. I just got my Runcore 120GB mSATA 6G, installed it, and assumed it would recognize it as another drive, but I get a blank screen as well. I have to use the computer interrupt mode to the normal set up, press the F12 button to get to the boot up drive listing I believe, then if I choose my primary drive everything boots up just fine. Unfortunately, this isn't a fix, I have to do this every time now! I think that my T420s is trying to boot up off of a blank drive. It not only recognizes it, but for some reason tries to boot up from it instead of my primary drive. I'm not the smartest kid on the block with these computers, so I could use a little help with how to navigate around and get my T420s to stop trying to boot from my mSATA drive and boot up from my primary drive like it did before I inserted this SSD.

 

You will need to enter the BIOS and change the boot order so that the primary drive attempts boot first. I'd tell you exactly how, but I'm out of practice as I haven't used a Thinkpad in a year.


Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

That is what I thought had to be done, but I'm a little leary of trying things with out a little guidance because I tend to mess other things up trying to fix others. Then I end up with a totally messed up machine. Thanks for the confirmation though! Now I know I am on the right track, just not quite sure how to do it.

 

You can play with a simulated BIOS from an old ThinkPad here: BIOS simulator - ThinkPad T60/p

 

Thanks, I will check it out!!

Say, how do people list their computer information at the bottom of their posts. I don't see anywhere to do that. I think that is a great option if one was to ask questions about their computer without having to list the specs every time, they could just look at the bottom of their post.

 

Hit "User CP" at the top left, then "Edit Signature."

 

To change your boot order...

1.) At Thinkpad screen hit F1
2.) Go over to "Startup"
3.) First option "Boot"
4.) Change the order.

Since in your case your SSD is your main drive you'd want to change HDD0 to first. Then I believe your mSata would be HDD2, that can go second.

I use my mSata as my main drive/boot and my HDD as a junker clone.

So mine goes...

ATA HDD2 Intel SSD
ATA HDD0 ST320

 

Hey thanks guys. I got into my BIOs, so simple, it makes me feel a little stupid. My system works great, no issues! Thanks for the signature location. I'm still extremely new to this site, not having bounced around it yet too much. I really appreciate the help everybody provides no matter how stupid some of these questions may be!

 

A lot of good people with a ton of knowledge around here. You'll always find someone willing to help, quite a nice resource.

No stupid questions in the computer world, ha.