Preventing External Hard Drives from Overwriting UEFI Records in Windows
If you have a 2.5" HDD with multiple OSes bootstrapped onto a SATA-USB adapter, and you've attempted to boot into an existing Arch Linux installation on a system like the MSI Modern 14 C7M, you may have encountered issues with the UEFI records being overwritten.
Understanding the Issue
When you boot your computer, the UEFI firmware reads the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) to determine the boot order. This NVRAM stores information about which devices the system should attempt to boot from, and in what order. When you connect an external hard drive with bootable operating systems, it can sometimes cause the NVRAM to be overwritten, changing the boot order and potentially rendering your existing installation unbootable.
Preventing UEFI Overwriting
To prevent UEFI from overwriting your existing boot records, you have a few options.
Disable External Device Booting
One option is to disable the ability for the UEFI to boot from external devices. Here's how you can do this on a Windows system:
- Restart your computer.
- Press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or DEL) to enter the UEFI settings.
- Navigate to the "Boot" tab.
- In the "Boot" tab, you should see a list of devices that are allowed to boot. If there is an option for "External Devices" or "Removable Devices", disable it.
- Save your changes and exit the UEFI settings.
Manage Boot Order
Another option is to manage the boot order manually. Here's how you can do this on a Windows system:
- Restart your computer.
- Press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or DEL) to enter the UEFI settings.
- Navigate to the "Boot" tab.
- In the "Boot" tab, you should see a list of devices that are allowed to boot. Move your existing installation to the top of the list.
- Save your changes and exit the UEFI settings.
Use a Password
Another option is to set a password for the UEFI settings. This will prevent unauthorized users from changing the boot order or disabling the internal hard drive boot.
By following the steps above, you can help prevent your external hard drive from overwriting the UEFI records on your Windows system. It's important to remember that these steps may vary depending on your specific hardware and firmware, so you may need to consult your system's documentation for more detailed instructions.
References
Type: Online Resource
Type: Online Resource
Building a High Performance Portable Hard Drive with Linux and an Enclosure
Type: Online Resource