Dell 3280 AIO - would only boot from SSD in one-off mode

Windows Boot Manager should always be first on the Boot Options list in BIOS setup.

You can test the new SSD by booting and tapping F12 when you see the Dell splash screen. When the F12 menu opens, select the option to boot from the SSD.

Test things out and make sure your personal files, etc are ok. Then you can open Windows Disk Management and initialize the HDD (ALL FILES DELETED!). Once the HDD is initialized, it can be used for routine storage.

NOTES:

• Every time you reboot the PC before initializing the HDD, you'll have to use the F12 menu to boot from the SSD.
  
  
• If you just want to keep the HDD as a bootable backup drive, you'll have to disconnect it from the motherboard, and that will allow you to boot 'normally' without using the F12 menu.

Yes, old HDD seemed to be a default boot drive and I had to override it manually at each reboot by pressing F12 and selecting SSD.

When I removed HDD, the computer didn't seem to miss it - booted from SSD without any prompts. And this clearly changed something in the BIOS - after reconnecting HDD, the computer continues using SSD as a default drive (and boots from it).

Thanks. 

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@Arkady G wrote:

Yes, old HDD seemed to be a default boot drive and I had to override it manually at each reboot by pressing F12 and selecting SSD.

When I removed HDD, the computer didn't seem to miss it - booted from SSD without any prompts. And this clearly changed something in the BIOS - after reconnecting HDD, the computer continues using SSD as a default drive (and boots from it).

Thanks. 

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Glad you have it working.

Hi

Dunno.

If it was me I would check the BOOT MANAGER list in the BIOS, if a Dell has such a thing.

As it happens all my boot options are on a single drive, but you should see a list with a choice of Drives, if so re-arrange.

If in doubt please ask.