How to resolve issues with inaccessible boot devices after cloning

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Cici 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

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Cloning a hard drive is straightforward, but issues like inaccessible boot devices after cloning can hinder seamless disk operations. Several factors could cause this, including boot drive errors, disk errors, bad sectors, system corruption, or GPT/MBR conflicts.

The tools will guide you through six effective solutions. Whether you're an experienced user or a beginner, we've got you covered. We've added detailed steps to make the process easier and keep your hard drive running smoothly.

Method 1: Change the Boot Order

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a powerful yet user-friendly tool that allows any Windows user to change the boot order without delving into BIOS settings and making complicated manual adjustments. The software automates this process, enabling users to complete the task effortlessly and quickly. It's easy for beginners to get started, providing a hassle-free experience. We recommend trying AOMEI Partition Assistant to alter the boot order to resolve issues with inaccessible boot devices after cloning errors.

Step 1. Launch Partition Master on your computer and navigate to the “Toolbox” section and then “Boot Repair.”

Tools Boot Repair interface

Step 2. Go to the UEFI Item tab, and change the boot order by dragging the drive to the first position.

Click “Save” to apply the changes, and your operating system will next boot from the new drive.

Note: If you click Restart after inserting the drive, the operating system will boot from that disk on the next restart.

Please read:

Method 2: Change the UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode

Correctly flipping the UEFI/BIOS boot mode can help resolve issues with inaccessible boot devices post-cloning. However, you'll need some basic computer know-how. Here's a general rundown: 1. **Restart your rig:** - Power it down, then up again. While booting, you'll need to access the UEFI/BIOS settings. Usually, you do this by hitting a specific key during the initial startup screen, like `F2`, `F10`, `F12`, `Delete`, or `Esc`. Check your PC maker's manual if you're unsure. 2. **Enter UEFI/BIOS Setup:** - In the boot menu, choose an entry to get into the UEFI/BIOS setup. It might say "Setup," "BIOS," or something alike. 3. **Locate Boot Options:** - Within the BIOS settings, find the boot-related area. This could be under "Boot," "Startup," or "System Configuration" headings. 4. **Review Boot Order:** - Check the current boot sequence and make sure your cloned HDD or SSD is set as the main boot device. If it's missing, add it. 5. **Alter the Boot Mode:** - If you cloned from Legacy BIOS to a UEFI rig, or vice versa, you might need to switch the boot mode. You'll often see options for "UEFI Only" and "Legacy Only," or a "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) setting. Pick based on your destination system's needs. 6. **Save and Exit:** - Save your adjustments and choose exit to reboot your PC. It should now try to boot per the new boot order and mode. 7. **Test the Boot:** - Assuming everything goes smoothly, your PC should fire up from the new drive. If issues linger, there could be hardware or cloning snags requiring more digging. Remember, UEFI/BIOS interfaces and choices can differ across machines, so consult your manufacturer's manual for specifics.

Step 1: Restart your system and press a specific BIOS key to enter the BIOS settings.

Note: Typically, the F2, F8, F10, F12, or Delete keys are used as BIOS keys. If you're unsure, search online using your computer's model number.

Step 2: Look for the Boot tab, and then select the UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode option.

Step 3: Choose either the "Legacy" or "UEFI" option, depending on your partition style.

Step 4:   Select Save and exit.

Step 5: Check whether the system can boot properly.

Read more: Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader

Method 3: Check if the cloned disk contains an operating system

Make sure the cloned disk contains the operating system files. Without valid OS files, the computer will be unable to read the drive, resulting in an unbootable device after a failed clone. Check your bootable device with the following steps.

Step 1: Connect the cloned disk to your computer.

Step 2: Restart the system with the old disk.

Step 3: Open File Explorer and select the cloned drive to access its files.

Step 4: Look for a folder named "Windows."

The presence of the "Windows" folder indicates a successful OS clone. If you encounter the "unbootable target device after cloning" issue, it might be due to errors on another disk. Conversely, if the "Windows" folder is missing, you'll need to clone the disk again.

Method 4: Check and fix disk errors

"Partition Master" is an efficient tool for checking disk health and repairing errors automatically, without manual intervention. Its advanced disk analysis capabilities set it apart from similar software. It allows you to proactively identify and resolve potential disk issues. Its algorithms perform deep scans to address bad sectors, corrupted files, disk health, and physical damage.

Download the Partition Master and follow the steps below to perform the disk check smoothly.

Step 1: Right-click on the problematic partition.

2. Choose Tools > Check File System.

Step 3: Confirm that you want to hide the partition.

Click “Start” to begin checking your disk for errors.

Partition Master is a full-featured tool with advanced recovery features to fix various Windows issues:

Method 5: Run CHKDSK

If the original disk had bad sectors or malware, this can result in errors like an inaccessible boot device after the clone. Running CHKDSK might help fix this error. Here's how:

Step one: Boot from the original installation disc.

Step 2: Press the Windows key, then type Command Prompt.

Step 3: Right-click the first result and select "Run as administrator."

Step 4: Type the following command and press the "Enter" key.

The command chkdsk c: /f /r is used to check for file system errors on drive C: and fix them. The parameter "/f" indicates that the command should fix any errors, while "/r" tells it to scan the disk for bad sectors and attempt to recover readable information from them.

This process may take some time, so please be patient.

After the restart, check if your computer is running normally.

Method 6: Run SFC

The System File Checker is a useful Windows utility that can come in handy if the CHKDSK command fails to fix corrupted files or bad sectors. It scans your disk and protects system files. Please note that this process might delete corrupted files, so we recommend backing up your data first. To perform an SFC scan, do the following:

Step 1: Restart your computer using the primary hard drive, and then search for Command Prompt.

Step 2: Right-click the first result and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 3: Type SFC /scannow and press the “Enter” key.

Step 4: Restart your computer after you exit the Command Prompt.

Check if the "Unbootable Boot Device" issue is resolved.

Read more: SFC scannow Pending System Repair

Sidebar: The Best Bootable Disk-Copying Software

AOMEI Partition Assistant stands out as a prime example of the best disk cloning software. Moreover, it is an all-in-one solution offering comprehensive disk management services. Let's delve into the key features that make it your top choice.

• Create Bootable: This tool allows you to create a bootable device for convenient cloning operations.
• Ease of Cloning: Advanced cloning of operating systems with just a few clicks.
• Data Loss Prevention: Enables users to create backups of the source drive to prevent data loss.
• Partition Cloning: Offers flexibility to choose specific partitions for cloning.
• OS Migration: Migrate your operating system to a new drive without complicated steps.

Conclusions

This guide has walked you through everything you need to know about the error of inaccessible boot device after cloning. There are many solutions mentioned in this guide, and you are free to choose the method you need. Usually, the solution depends on the cause of the issue, but the Partition Master tool is a universal utility that can solve all boot and cloning issues in one place. Therefore, I highly recommend this tool as it is the easiest and safest way to clone a bootable disk.

FAQ: Common Issues with Unbootable Clone After Cloning - UTF-8

If any other questions bother you, refer to this FAQ section. We've included the most common ones regarding the topics discussed on the pages.

< strong > 1. Why can't I boot from the SSD after cloning?

Encountering boot issues after cloning an SSD can stem from various reasons. Ensure that you have the latest device drivers and BIOS settings. The cloned operating system needs to be configured compatibly to maintain the correct boot order. Additionally, you can manually set the cloned SSD as the preferred option in your BIOS settings.

2. How do I boot after cloning?

To do this, you'll need to restart your computer and open the BIOS menu, then navigate to the “Boot Order” section. Move the drive that you want to boot from to the top of the list so that it is the primary boot device.

3. How do I recover an inaccessible boot device?

Run a CHKDSK scan from the Command Prompt to check for potential disk errors. Inspect the disk for physical damage or bad sectors. Also, ensure that the cloned disk has a "Windows" folder present. If it's missing, you'll need to clone the disk again.