Thanks for the information.

You mentioned "recovery media". Did you run MR from a CD or USB (not Windows based)?
I have an old copy of the MR, I'll download a newer version.

Also, you mentioned you clones from the original M.2 drive to the new Samsung 970 512Gb. How does the "new 2TB SSD" come in to the picture?

With the new boot drive, was it connected to the Blue data cable and into the right connection on the motherboard as the "primary" for it to boot?

I have two m.2 NVME slots so 512 for OS and 2 Tb for storage right now D and E with 1TB unused currently mostly just use it for scratch disk. 

I only have  a 3TB storage drive on SATA its on SATA 0 I use this driver for internal back ups, I find there convenient for quick OS C partition restores when or if needed. No good for Any virus or malware but I have external HD for those back ups. 

I always run from a USB that MR has created on the computer in question.  Boot is to F12 and select UEFI USB

Mine has 3 SATA cables white blue and a CD/DVD connectors I don't think it matters which SATA port you use what matters to Windows is where your Boot manager is set up

MR Recovery USB runs in Windows PE environment, needs to be booted UEFI unless your system is Legacy BIOS?

Thank you on the cable connection information.

I have tried everything except the CMOS battery. Interestingly, I have been using computers for so long and this would  be the first time to replace those batteries. Tomorrow, I will pick up a pack, go to the office, replace it and see. I have done almost all I can to get into my BIOS, very strange.

Now, on hitting the key before the light or logo come, if I "start right away" my PC just locks. Till tomorrow (Alaska time), will keep you all posted.

Well once you get back into your BIOS, there is a setting to delay boot, Set this for 10 seconds this will give you 10 whole seconds to press F2 or F12

Disk Clone: The new SSD will NOT boot.

1. Re-installed Macrium Reflect 7 (Free Edition)
and created a Rescue Media on USB.

2. Launched the app and cloned the 250GB
M.2 drive to the new 1T SSD.

3. After cloning, in the BIOS, under Boot Sequence,
I selected the newly cloned copy
(UEFI CT1000MX500ssd1) and APPLY.

4. Started the system and it did not boot from
the new SSD, with the M.2 still in the motherboard
and tried the boot without the M.2 drive

5. (a) I booted the system with the USB Rescue Media
and selected "Fix Windows boot problems"
(b) With the M.2 drive out, the newly cloned 1Tb drive
was the only drive seen in the opened window.
(c) Next ---> Finish --->Yes (to Restart your PC?) ---> Yes.

6. The system took me to the Recovery page.
Please see attached. I tried the options at the bottom.

Looks like I missed something while using Macrium Reflect.

Hi,

I have replied to you via  a direct message.

-Gautam.

First off, I got a Duracell 2030, plugged it in and was able to use the F2 & F12 keys. Yippie! This is a first for me; at least now I know.