New to SSDs? Read this first before asking questions! (UPDATED 07/17/2011)

[PotatoWithEarsOnSide]

I don't need two bootable drives, but I also don't need my main storage to be an external device.

 

[videobruce]

Then wipe the O/S off the HDD!
Or partition the HDD (if it isn't already) for the O/S and the rest storage and remove the 'Active' state from the O/S partition. Try that. It's that 2nd O/S that apparently is the problem.

 

[PotatoWithEarsOnSide]

That's all been done.
The SSD is the only bootable drive, and the HDD is blank (tried with it unitialized as well as initialized).
Still no joy.
Just seems as though the laptop goes into retard mode when both are plugged in.

 

[videobruce]

Then it doesn't like a HDD in the optical bay.
Case closed here!

 

[PotatoWithEarsOnSide]

I HDD booted fine from the ODD when it was in the laptop alone, so clearly it isn't that.
As I said, all configurations attempted.
Worked fine with SSD or HDD in either port, but not with both installed together.
Clearly, that was tested when I had Win 10 installed on the HDD.
The problem occurs only when both drives are installed, regardless of which port the HDD is in, and regardless of whether it has Win 10 installed or not.
The system simply doesn't want to boot correctly, or recognise the HDD when the SSD is installed. It'll display in BIOS and Device Manager, but no reference to it in File Explorer or Disk Management. Plus the 15m boot time is clearly not normal.
As I said, latest BIOS and firmware installed.