Good Morning Steve
I've been at this half the nite on that old puter of mine trying to recreat that same problem. I found all kinds of stuff I'de forgotten about.
Even took a break and played GWX
When I build a new rig I use ALL new stuff from case inwards.
Glad I didn't sell or throw it away.
Still havin my first cup of coffee... Ahhhh. Sorry if I ask repeat questions.
Before you moved anything to External hdd....
Would it bootup with EMPTY External hdd plugged in ?
Or did the problem begin
after you moved files tooo External ?