Windows 8 Boot Problems

[at1105]

I'm currently working on an Acer Aspire E1-531-2644 running Win 8. It will not boot into Windows. It tries Automatic Repair on startup but fails.

What I Have Tried:

*CHKDSK fixed several issues but still no improvements.
*bootrec.exe with options from the command prompt but didn't help.
*Tried System Restore but there are no points to turn revert back to.
*It will not boot into Safe Mode - just starts automatic repair from restart.
*I've tried Refresh
*Tried Restore but it gets stuck at 31% for about 2 hours and then says there was a problem (maybe corrupt partition?)
*Tried a Windows 8 System Repair Disc.
*I've tried all the hotkey combos I can think of to launch the Acer Recovery software but it just keeps trying Automatic Repair or Restore.


There's no recovery media and it seems that the recovery partition is hosed since nothing I do will launch the software to recover from it. Any ideas on which direction to go from here? What would you do to remedy the issue?

 

[Pants]

Ok so you're booting off the Windows RE disc to do chkdsk and which completes, but it's not helping. So we know your hardware is stable...since it can run the Windows PE.

Onto OS/hdd troubleshooting

System file checker ??

From the Windows RE boot disc type: sfc /scannow

If that doesn't help I'd say boot up something like MHDD or Seatools to check for bad sectors.

 

[MichaelBits]

Have you tested the HHD for failure?

 

[Martyn]

You should be pulling the hard drive and getting the data off it. It's likely the drive is failing.

 

[Pants]

You should be pulling the hard drive and getting the data off it. It's likely the drive is failing.

I was assuming he discussed this with the client before he ran chkdsk and attempted other repairs on the drive.

 

[Pants]

Is the client's data backed up somewhere else, off the computer ?

 

[at1105]

I spoke with the client prior to any repair attempts and there is nothing of value on the drive that needs to be salvaged.

So after a couple of tests, it is determined that the drive has FAILED.

Looks like I'll be replacing the drive and reinstalling Windows 8 (which I have never done). I have done dozens and dozens of Vista and 7 re-installs but not Win 8. From what I have read, it is somewhat different. The activation key is actually embedded in the BIOS since there is no sticker but as long as I have the correct version it should activate automatically? Can anybody validate that claim and maybe share some tips regarding Windows 8 reinstall process?

 

[glricht]

Looks like I'll be replacing the drive and reinstalling Windows 8 (which I have never done). I have done dozens and dozens of Vista and 7 re-installs but not Win 8. From what I have read, it is somewhat different. The activation key is actually embedded in the BIOS since there is no sticker but as long as I have the correct version it should activate automatically? Can anybody validate that claim and maybe share some tips regarding Windows 8 reinstall process?

Search the forums. This topic has been discussed many, many times.

 

[at1105]

Will do. Thanks! And thanks to everyone that responded. I appreciate the help!

 

[Altster]

On my 1st repair of that (shudder) hideous O/S I found some of the same issues you described. But not only was the H/D defective, so was the memory. I was unable to do a "refresh" of the O/S so we ordered (for the customer) and full set of recovery / re-installation DVD's. After replacement of the H/Drive and memory the re-installation worked like a charm.

For some of us "oldsters" out there...remember installing an O/S from 3.5" floppy disks AND even 5.25" floppies?

 

[Moltuae]

On my 1st repair of that (shudder) hideous O/S I found some of the same issues you described. But not only was the H/D defective, so was the memory. I was unable to do a "refresh" of the O/S so we ordered (for the customer) and full set of recovery / re-installation DVD's. After replacement of the H/Drive and memory the re-installation worked like a charm.

Pun intended?


Also, scientifically speaking, I think it's safe to say that charms don't really work well at all and that they are in fact pretty useless. So, good choice of name there Microsoft!

 

[at1105]

On my 1st repair of that (shudder) hideous O/S I found some of the same issues you described. But not only was the H/D defective, so was the memory. I was unable to do a "refresh" of the O/S so we ordered (for the customer) and full set of recovery / re-installation DVD's. After replacement of the H/Drive and memory the re-installation worked like a charm.

For some of us "oldsters" out there...remember installing an O/S from 3.5" floppy disks AND even 5.25" floppies?

This was my first time troubleshooting startup issues with Win 8 so I can honestly say I learned a lot from this situation. It looks like re-install DVD's will be in order here as well. In regards to installing from floppy disks, I will occasionally get a Win 95 or 98 box in for repair. One client in particular brought a Win 98 machine that he wanted fixed. He seemed to be pleased with the work because he came back later and left me a tip - a 100% complete in box DOS 3.3 with all 3.5" and 5.25" disks, manuals, binder - the works. Very cool. Thanks for sharing your story!

 

[frase]

There are recovery options for Asus laptops to restore to factory settings. Offhand I think they are alt f10 at post.