500 GB Seagate freeagent classic - windows 7 won't start when power cord is connected. Okay to connect after boot up and HD works find. Is there a workaround that will allow the external HD to remain in power up state all the time but allow windows 7 to boot up?Can this unit be changed to a firmware hookup to solve the problem?

Most likely the problem is that your computer is trying to boot from your external hard drive and that why windows 7 wont start up but it is a very easy fix. with the freeagent attached start up your computer system and when the first BIOS screen is displayed press either the F8 key or the ESC key to enter BIOS setup it should say on the screen which button you need to press. Once you press the correct button the BIOS set up screen will load there should be tabs at the top and select the boot tab, under the boot tab there will be a list of devices in the order that the computer will try and boot off of them all u need to do is move your freeagent to the bottom of the list and every thing will work perfect.

I hope this helped.

Thank you,
Norse