Computer won't boot to cloned hard drive

[cinebuff1]

    I twice tried performing a WindowsImageBackup (using a WD My Book external hard drive), first through the built-in Windows system, then through EaseUS ToDo software. In both cases I couldn't get it to restore (the failing hard drive has some bad sectors), receiving the message "Windows cannot find a system image on this computer."

    Contacting the support team at EaseUS, they initiated a clone to my new hard drive using SATA-to-USB. It took 2 1/2 days! Nevertheless, the cloned drive appears initialized, partitioned, and healthy when I checked Disk Management using the SATA/USB.

    However, when I installed the cloned hard drive and turned on the computer, all I get is the HP logo.

[CF4]

Hi

Is the cloned drive plugged in as the primary HDD on the primary HDD connector?

Does the BIOS show the cloned drive?

I assume that the clone has the BOOT/EFI partitions cloned over.

So how many partitions are on the new disk?

[cinebuff1]

Hi CF4.  Thank you for your fast response!

The BIOS recognized the cloned HDD when I had it attached via the SATA/USB.  Disk Management  showed it as Disk 1 (Disk 0 is the still-operational failing HDD).  It was initialized, partitioned, showed that it had the same amount of GBs that are on the original HDD, and said "healthy" (however, when I checked the EaseUS ToDo log, there was a "failed" symbol, probably due to some bad sectors. Nevertheless, the copying process was indicated as "successful").

But when I put the cloned drive in the notebook itself and turned it on, all I got was the HD logo.

The new disk has four partitions, replicating the original.

[CF4]

Hi

So 4 partitions, same as the old one.

So it is setup as HDD primary?

Now my BIOS Boot Manager is set to lookup and load a SPECIFIC HDD.

Storage - Hard drives - ST1000LM024 -  Manufacturer - Seagate

Not a newly replaced cloned drive, however exact the data is.

So I use a Windows install disk, Microsoft Creator tool and drop to the DOS prompt.

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.

NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If in doubt please ask.

[cinebuff1]

I don't have it set up as HDD primary yet, as so far it has only shows up when I attach it via SATA/USB. Is this a step I am missing, CF4? 

Right now, if I install it inside the notebook, I'll only get the HP logo, and can't even get to Command Prompt (it beeps when I try the usual buttons at start-up).

If I use my the repair disc I made when I attempted the WindowsImageBackup, it'll get me to the Advanced Options screens that you included in your screenshot. Is there something I should try from there?

As far as the other instructions you so nicely included in your response: WHOOSH! Right over my head!

[CF4]

OK

POST  Power On Self Test

BIOS

Boot Loader

Then a nice install of an OS takes over.

POST seems to be Functioning, BIOS is doing it's job pointing to a failed/faulty HDD

The Boot Loader is not picking up the strain.

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-boot-sequence-2625814

After the POST, BIOS will attempt to boot from the first device listed in the boot order. If that device is not bootable, BIOS will attempt to boot from the second device listed, and so on.

So change your Boot Sequence and maybe it will pick up, try using F9 to select the external device.

Fit the clone in place of the faulty unit.

If I use my the repair disc I made when I attempted the WindowsImageBackup, it'll get me to the Advanced Options screens that you included in your screenshot. Is there something I should try from there?

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try typing the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-master-boot-record-mbr-windows
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-7-from-usb
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

[cinebuff1]

Thank you very much, CF4. Please confirm if I've got this correct:

With my old HDD still in the computer, I attach my cloned HDD with the USB, then get into CMD when I start the computer.

I select the attached HDD as the primary.

I shut down computer and transpose the hard drives.

When I start up BIOS should recognize the new hard drive as the primary.

If the above fails, then try booting with the repair disc and typing the instructions you indicated.

Although my intention was to restore a WindowsImageBackup, the cloned hard drive that EaseUS' support team initiated will only contain my files and I'll be forced to reinstall Windows 10?

[CF4]

Hi

Does F9 get the clone listed?

Your best option is to swap the drives physically.

[cinebuff1]

In order to get the clone listed, I need to try doing so via the SATA-to-USB connector and pressing F9 to get into Command Prompt where I'll tell BIOS to make the clone the priority disk, right?

And then I shut down computer and physically put the cloned drive into the computer and start her up. Hopefully that will get me in, whereupon I'll need to reinstall Windows 10?

And if it doesn't get me in, I would then try the bootable repair disc and type in your procedures; is that right?

And I'm out of luck as far as achieving a WindowsImageBackup at this point?

[CF4]

You have lost me.

Fit the drive.
Power on ESC and F9.
Select the clone and have it boot.
W10 should not need to be ready installed.
Then you should be able to find C: and type in the commands.

Reboot and all should be well