Setup Installation :: Win 8 Pro Lost Boot - Won't Reset Or Refresh
Feb 12, 2013
New Windows 8 Pro with WMC install to a new Intel SSD on an old Dell Inspiron 530. I got everything activated and working fine, and then I swapped the SSD for the old HDD to finish getting all my data. But when I swapped the SSD back in, I can no longer get Windows 8 to boot--it goes into automatic repair, but none of the options are available to me. Refresh won't work, reset won't work, I can't even get system restore to work (it shows me two restore points available, but it won't let me select them.)
This was a clean install, so it has the 350MB recovery partition. I believe the RAID is set properly (I have no straight up AHCI option in BIOS, but I installed Windows 8 under RAID [it shows "AHCI Bios enabled!" during POST], and remembered to change to IDE mode to boot the HDD, and back to RAID before trying to boot the SSD).
I've always been able to troubleshoot these sorts of problems under XP or 7, but I'm just not familiar with these Windows 8 processes (or SSDs/AHCI/RAID stuff) yet. I've got all the linux tools, Hirens, etc. available, and can verify that the files on the SSD appear to be fine. I could reinstall if necessary, but really don't want to have to deal with the upgrade and re-activating--and even if I do have to reinstall.
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Sep 1, 2013
I did a PC Refresh and Reset and it's stuck at 1%
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Jun 21, 2014
Have decided to take the plunge to reset my computer (because Windows Store would not open). Booted from the installation disk but cannot Reset or Refresh, I get "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again."
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Jun 7, 2014
My PC fails to boot into Windows and launches Automatic Repair to attempt to repair Windows. When i try to refresh or reset alway get msg " there is a problem resetting your pc, no changes are made" My PC is preinstalled so no I don't have recovery CD/DVD Here pics
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Aug 4, 2013
You have Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro installed on your PC. Your PC fails to boot into Windows and launches Automatic Repair to attempt to repair Windows.
Automatic Repair is unable to repair your PC and you select "Advanced options". After selecting "Troubleshoot", you choose to either "Refresh your PC" or "Reset your PC".
In this scenario, recovery may fail and you are returned back to the main WinRE screen. This issue may occur if the System or Software registry hives have become damaged or corrupted.
To attempt to resolve this issue, follow the steps below. Following these steps should only be used if you are attempting to use the "Refresh your PC" or "Reset your PC" options in Windows RE because your system is in a non-bootable state.
-After Automatic Repair fails to repair your PC, select "Advanced options" and then "Troubleshoot".
-Select "Advanced options" and then select "Command Prompt".
-If prompted, enter in the password for the user name.
-At the Command Prompt, go to the windowssystem32config folder by typing the following command: cd %windir%system32config.
-Rename the System and Software registry hives to System.001 and Software.001 by using the following commands:
ren system system.001
ren software software.001
I did all that but when I tried to rename the Software.001 file the system responds: "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process" ...
I tried to create a Ubuntu start up usb key so that i could maybe get in and rename the file but that presented more problems.
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Nov 27, 2013
windows 8 (8.1) but this is undefensible . I was trying to install Ubuntu alongside my windows 8 install when I accidentally wiped out my entire windows 8 install. I am using an acer aspire laptop
how I might reinstall windows 8
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Jan 20, 2014
Dual booting windows 7 with 8.1. I had that neat looking boot screen that came up giving me a choice and setting default.
Now it boots to a crummy looking F8 type screen every time and I have to make a choice.
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Oct 31, 2013
After updating from 8.0 to 8.1, I (like many others) lost the refresh option. Any way to get it back?
Windows 8.1 pro 32 bit
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Oct 10, 2013
I have a brand new Asus laptop, bought it about 3 weeks ago. After installing some windows updates I restarted the computer and it it would not boot. Keep getting a quick error message 0xc0000001 and restarts. I have tried booting into recovery and doing automatic repair, tried bootrec's /fixboot, /fixmbr, and /rebuildbcd and and get successfully completed but still does not boot in both secure and non-secure boot. I have done a refresh, which completes successfully, but still not booting. The USERS folder in c:Windows.old does not show any users, even though when I click advanced options in recovery it asks to choose a login and enter a password. I have also checked the USERS folder at c: and :cwindows. Remember I did a refresh and not a reset so my pics should still be their. How can i recover my pics and fix the damn boot.
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Jul 21, 2013
Does not show up anywhere, device mgr etc. The only way I can see it is to adapt it to a usb connection.
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Aug 14, 2014
My PC started off on Win 8 and I upgraded to Win 8.1 .
I want to do a completely fresh installation. I do not mind going back to Win 8 and redownloading Win 8.1 afterwards.
My problem is that when I go to PC Settings > "Remove everything and reinstall Windows", I get the error: "Insert media. Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files."
I have a partition on my computer "HP_RECOVERY (F:)". It states 1.24 GB free of 10.6 GB. When I open it, it contains a folder called "Recovery" and "HP_WSD.dat" -- the .dat file is 1 KB. When I open the folder, it says that it is empty (hidden folders and files are set to be shown). If I look at the folder properties, it states that it contains 1 file, 2 folders. The size is 69 bytes.
I have not touched this recovery partition ever since I got this PC. I have, however, run a partition software before because I split my (C:) into (C: and D:). I do not know if this may have somehow corrupted my recovery partition.
What is the best way for me to quickly and cleanly format my PC without losing my registration key? I do not have a copy of Win 8 or Win 8.1 on a CD or USB.
I opened up cmd as admin and typed in "reagentc /info" and it output this:
Code: C:WINDOWSsystem32>reagentc /info Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configurationInformation: Windows RE status: Enabled Windows RE location: ?GLOBALROOTdeviceharddisk0partition3RecoveryWindowsRE Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 8fc8db37-7d80-11e3-91ec-faa553f3f5b4 Recovery image location: Recovery image index: 0 Custom image location: Custom image index: 0REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.
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Aug 7, 2014
I upgraded Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 via the Windows store and so. Do not have a DVD or any media to do a refresh or recovery ... I need to refresh Windows 8.1 as many of my apps do not open.
I tried this from this site here. All went fine but when i went to refresh windows cannot find any media again.
How to: REFRESH your Windows 8.1 installation without installation media.
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Mar 12, 2014
Due to malware issue (snap.do) i want to refresh or reset my windows 8 (updated to 8.1). but on restart it gives the following error
The application or operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains error.
File:Windowssystem32winload.efi
Error code: 0xc000000f
I dont have any recovery media (disc or recovery drive).
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Jan 28, 2013
"Microsoft has introduced two interesting and very useful features in Windows 8. Refresh PC and Reset PC are the two new features that fix all Windows issues by refreshing settings or resetting everything. These features allow you set your Windows 8 settings to their defaults, or reset Windows 8 to factory settings (original settings) by deleting data and installed apps.
Though most of us have the Windows 8 installation media, it’s always a good idea to make necessary changes to the default settings so that you can Reset Windows 8 without inserting the installation or recovery media."
How To Reset Or Refresh Windows 8 Without DVD ...
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Aug 29, 2013
I tried to install ubuntu 13.04 x86 on my 16 GB flash drive using the pendrive program. When i restarted my laptop and selected boot from usb drive i then selected install ubuntu on my dva2 using ext4 and "/" on mount. After finishing the process i restarted my laptop and i was keep booting in ubuntu os without even asking me if i wanted to boot in windows. I then removed usb from laptop and the only os that exists is ubuntu. The only thing i noticed is that in the partitioning menu earlier where i selected the 16 GB flash drive, it also said Windows 8 loader next to it something that was a bit strange since my windows was installed on my 240 Gb ssd. I enter in ubuntu without usb and i can see all my files from windows desktop. Is there any possible way to recover my windows?
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Jul 4, 2014
Just recently I was using my computer when an error appeared saying I had a drive error that needed to be fixed. I clicked the error in the system tray and then the computer restarted in order to fix the drive error. Well, I went into an "automatic repair" but then it froze on the "select your keyboard layout" screen. I then tried the "refresh your PC" option, but it wouldn't work saying that the hard drive was locked. I then tried to restore the PC to a restore point but it wouldn't let me do that either. As a last ditch resort I tried to use the "reset your PC" option which I gather is just a guided reformatting of the hard drive but it wouldn't let me do that either, saying that the required partition wasn't there. I took it into a PC repair place and they said the hard drive needs to be wiped, that the registry is corrupted or something along those lines. When booting from the windows 8 CD I tried to go into the installation menu and it won't even accept the product key on my package.
All I can really access is the command prompt. I guess I just need to reformat the hard drive and perform a clean install of windows. How to do this reformatting? I've never done it before and don't want to screw it up. I'm not worried about saving data on the computer, nothing really important on the drive that isn't already backed up on my laptop.
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Dec 1, 2013
I need to perform a System Refresh against once of my computers. However, when I try to launch the System Refresh option, it claims Windows is missing some files to do so and to insert a Windows installation media or recovery media to claim those files.
Here's the trip-up: I created recovery media on another Windows 8.1 computer and that STILL didn't work (said something about the media not being valid, despite being generated in the same OS). How do I get this to work?
I did do my homework on this issue and apparently having done the Windows 8.1 upgrade through the Windows Store strips out its ability to do a Refresh/Reset unless an ISO is present (of which you don't have one of course because of how you did the upgrade; chicken and egg problem right there). Two of my computers were done as Windows Store upgrades but my Ultrabook was not (for that I did a complicated jig that allowed me to keep all my installed Windows 8.1 Preview software while still moving to the Windows 8.1 final build). However it doesn't seem to matter as even the Ultrabook, despite its unique upgrade path, still fails to start a Refresh (should I want to do one there) so the problem is all over my Windows 8.1 machines.
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Jun 24, 2014
I have an infected laptop. It has Windows 8 installed.
The problem I'm having is that NO programs will execute, I cannot load "Change PC Settings" so I can't refresh, reset or restore Windows. I have tried the method of holding down SHIFT and restart but to no avail.
I can't load programs from usb/cd before boot but I can in legacy mode and not uefi (not sure what difference that makes).
I have successfully scanned with Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 in legacy mode but it found nothing? I've also manage to scan again using legacy mode with Malwarebytes but nothing.
I also cant load up the Control Panel, it loads but no icons are showing. Command prompt I can load but not in Administrator.
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Jul 17, 2013
Can not do factory setting or refresh it says error 0x80073bc3 and also i have to press 0 when booting then it goes to the windows. In bios Hdd is the first line.
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Feb 10, 2013
I tried to run "Reset and reinstall windows" when I found out that "keep nothing" is not a clean install.
However, the reinstallation part (Windows setup, with the serial number part) starts over and over again.
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Oct 7, 2012
Refresh PC and Reset PC not in Windows Server 2012 ????
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Nov 28, 2013
I recently did an update of my machine from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. The update process did not show any errors or warnings and by the time it finished I was under the impression that everything went smooth.
After the update I was testing the environment and discovered that one of my desktop applications stopped working, I went to the developer's website and indeed I found there is a known issue with their software on 8.1 and to solve it, I had to completely uninstall the software and then install it once more. So I went to Programs and Features in order to do so and to my surprise the Uninstall button was missing from the interface. Right-clicking an item and selecting uninstall from the menu gives a warning message suggesting that the application might have already been uninstalled and asks if I wanted to remove the application from the Programs list. However, clicking OK or Cancel just closes the message box and nothing happens.
So I went and tried to Refresh My PC; Once I clicked Refresh My PC the verification process started and indeed it told my that some system files are missing and that it should take care of it provided I insert my Windows disc. Now since its an OTA update from Win 8 to 8.1 I thought that MS knows that some people will not have a physical copy of 8.1 and so I inserted my Windows 8 Pro System Builder disc hoping it would work, but sadly as you might have guessed, it did not. It told me that I needed the 8.1 recovery disc.
Now I have been looking everywhere for a recovery image to download and use to fix my problem, everywhere I go it suggests that I make my own copy. But how am I supposed to do that if my Windows is faulty and has missing files. I really don't wanna go back to Windows 8 and re-upgrade to 8.1. I have a monitored internet bandwidth and I cannot go and download the 3 GB 8.1 update once more.
How can I repair my 8.1 machine?
I came across this article describing how to get an ISO image for 8.1 with a Windows 8 product Key. However, entering my Windows 8 Pro System Builder (OEM) key in the box fails and tells me that the key I entered is not for this product.
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Jan 8, 2013
I have a new Sony vaio duo 11 running (or not) Windows 8 64 bit. I was away when it arrived. Number one son decided to set it up for me so that it would be working on my return. I now need to refresh or recover but am being told that some Windows files are missing. I have no media disk or backup. So how do I go about getting the missing files?
Every web site tells me to stick the Windows 8 media in. This doesn't seem to be a rare problem so why don't Microsoft make them available online? Alternatively, if I was to buy a Windows 8 64bit pro upgrade and install over, would this provide me with the missing files?
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Aug 27, 2013
I'm currently running Windows 8 that my laptop came with. I decided to wait for the official 8.1 release in October instead of the Preview.
I have a lot of Calendar reminders on my Windows 8 Stock Calendar and I was wondering when I upgrade to 8.1, will those reminders disappear?
I'm asking this because I've been reading a lot of articles that you have to re-install your apps and settings after the update.
Although you probably can't confirm this until it has released (I guess). Has any user lost their reminders on when they switched from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 Preview?
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Jun 16, 2014
I cant boot to my windows 8. As I open my laptop it says "preparing automatic repair" >> daignosing your pc >>> attempting repairs>>> then it was stuck and cant proceed to desktop.
i tried to open advance setting by pressing "F8" then advance settings option appears. and i tried to a troubleshoot then chose>>
REFRESH YOU PC --- "theres a problem refreshing your pc"
RESET YOUR PC ---- "theres a problem reseting you pc"
AUTO REPAIR ---- cannot repair
Right now i want to reformat my ASUS laptop with pre installed windows 8 but i dont know what to..
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Aug 22, 2014
I installed Windows 8 Through my windows DVD and now want to make it so I don't need the Windows Installation Disk or any USB Recovery key. Is there any way to make a refresh AND reset partition and image.
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Mar 24, 2014
Since receiving my laptop back from it being repaired (Fan wasn't spinning then the laptop wouldn't turn on after trying to fix it myself) it turns on and the fan spins just fine although I am having numerous software problems.
First, I can't open my photos, music or documents folder (videos seems to be fine) and they don't have their original icons anymore, when I try to open the folders using the file explorer nothing happens, when I tried to open folder using the tiles, the folder would load then close without warning or reason and when I tried opening files by right clicking > open with, it would open then a banner will show saying. 'You don't have permission to access this' (Or something similar).
I am able to access my photos and such by going to: Computer > Local Disk (C: ) > Users > [My name], in there I can find it all but it's not where it should be.
After this I decided to restore my pc to an earlier point, but since then my tiles have vanished (Photos, music, Skype, videos, people and so on) although the Store tile seems to have stayed and is working fine.
While trying to reinstall the tiles from the store, the store says I already have the tiles but I can't find them anywhere.
I eventually decided to reset my system and reinstall windows (I would be reverted to Windows 8 not 8.1) although while attempting a reset, a banner shows up saying. 'There was a problem while resetting your PC'. When clicking 'Check for solutions to this problem' it would minimise the window to the desktop and then nothing would happen.
I want my old PC back, before it needed repairing!
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Mar 19, 2013
I've had a lot of trouble with my samsung laptop. The HDD has been replaced but I now cannot do a refresh or reset. I get the message"Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files". The laptop came with Windows 8 installed so I do not have the installation discs. I can do a factory restore by pressing f4 on start up successfully but still shows the above message trying to refresh. What caused this and what can I do about it?
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Jun 6, 2014
So, my problem started earlier this week when I tried to scan my Hard Drive using my antivirus system. Never do that.
My Vaoi laptop froze at 27% during the scan, and I had to manually shut it off (hold down the power button) and then restart it. Well, it started the scan again, and got stuck again, so I had to restart it again. The next time, I was able to read this millisecond long message about how to "cancel dskchk by pressing any key", so I did, but then it just took forever to load and opened on an error message saying that windows couldn't load, or something along those lines.
Eventually, after figuring out how to open safe mode, I tried to use a Restore point (which didn't work), Refresh the System (which couldn't complete), do a lot of maintenance scans (none of which worked), consult the internet off of my friend's computer (where I heard about the windows.old folder), and then I was finally forced to use the Vaio Recovery Tool and do an emergency backup onto my new External Hard Drive... It semi-worked, but a lot of my files weren't passed over to the external drive, and I'd like to get them back.
The files I care about are mostly image and document files (jpg, bmp, Word, and Notepad) and the folders they were in were all on my Desktop, but I don't know how to get them back. Some are there, some aren't, it's all just really confusing. So, now, I'm currently running three different Data Recovery programs (Wondershare, EaseUS, and Recuva - all free versions), but I'm basically wondering if there's anything else I can do to fix this. I don't have a windows.old folder on my C drive, but I do on my external hard drive, but it's half empty, like the rest of my folders..
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Jan 19, 2014
So I installed Windows 8 whenever it came out and then updated to 8.1 last fall. Since then my computer has become bogged down and running really bad. It's time just start fresh but when I go in to the PC settings to restore it, it says I don't have the necessary files and that I need to insert a disc. Since I installed 8.1 from the store I have no disc to restore it from.
I saw some tutorials on activating 8.1 from 8 but I don't even know if I'm following the right ones or not. This was much easier to do in Windows 7. But anyways, how I can restore my computer.
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Jan 17, 2013
I upped from 7 to 8 via OTA download. Set up, set up passord(admin), etc. and decided I didn't like and want to do a Factory reset so I can sell.
Can I factory reset, and how?
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