Not Quite A BSOD, but...

Dreadstar

New Member
Messages
21
Location
Wenatchee, WA USA
I couldn't find a suitable forum to post this under, so I figured this would be the best place.


I installed Windows 8 a few weeks back, ran beautifully. I had no objections to learning the new OS. I installed all my games, installed all the updates, patched it 100%. About a week ago I started having a black screen that told me my hard drives were inaccessible.

View attachment 15678

Forgive the crappy look, I took it on my junky LG Dare cellphone.

I've tried to repair the Master Boot Record, by going into the system restore, but the command "X:/fixmbr" didn't work, command wasn't recognized. I then tried, X:/bootsect /fixmbr. That didn't work either. I tried to fix it by having windows diagnose the problem, so I did that, no results "Windows could not do anything". Then while messing around, I found Windows "Refresh", boy I didn't want that, after I found out what it did to my computer. =/


I have no idea how to proceed with this, any suggestions? My computer specs are in my bio, I can get you specific statistics if you need them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Hello, Dreadstar (Thomas). Welcome to EightForums. It's good to have you aboard. :)

It's obvious to me you're probably more adept than I at commands, but have you tried SFC /SCANNOW Command - Run in Windows 8

Hey HippsieGypsie,


Thanks for the quick reply! No I haven't. I've been trying to find a list of Windows 8 commands, but I haven't found a complete list. I've tried a good portion of Windows 7 commands, a few worked, but nothing that would work for me in my current issue.


** As of right now, I'm running the scan, 20% Complete. If it scans network drives, I'm going to be here for a year :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
You're quite welcome. Happy to be of help, although I don't know much.

I forgot to mention that it's suggested that one runs the scannow 2 or 3 times.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Scan #1
Code:
C:\Windows\system32>sfc /scannow

Beginning system scan.  This process will take some time.


Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.


Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

Scan #2
Same as the first

Scan #3
Same as the first.


No idea now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
Ugh! Did you turn on restore points by any chance?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
This is a super long shot but is there a disc in your optical drive that's bootable?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8, Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Z210
    Internet Speed
    25mbps
Ugh! Did you turn on restore points by any chance?

Not until after the problem came on. I'd have to do a full format and re-install. Rather not do that xD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
This is a super long shot but is there a disc in your optical drive that's bootable?

Yeah. The Windows 8 Disc. I've never had problems with it before.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
This is a super long shot but is there a disc in your optical drive that's bootable?

Yeah. The Windows 8 Disc. I've never had problems with it before.

Pull it out, anyways.

I've seen this issue a lot at work where we will have W8 machines with bootable discs in them but if we don't specifically call on the disc, it will still try to load the disc but fail. This typically only happens on UEFI-based systems, though, where the optical drive is higher on the list than the hard drive.

I'm just trying to debunk this as a possible cause because of my personal experience. If it doesn't have any effect, you can put it back in if you'd like.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8, Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Z210
    Internet Speed
    25mbps
This is a super long shot but is there a disc in your optical drive that's bootable?

Yeah. The Windows 8 Disc. I've never had problems with it before.

Pull it out, anyways.

I've seen this issue a lot at work where we will have W8 machines with bootable discs in them but if we don't specifically call on the disc, it will still try to load the disc but fail. This typically only happens on UEFI-based systems, though, where the optical drive is higher on the list than the hard drive.

I'm just trying to debunk this as a possible cause because of my personal experience. If it doesn't have any effect, you can put it back in if you'd like.
I'll give that a try when I do my daily reboot. Gaming can zonk your memory pretty fast :p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
Ok. Here's an update.

The disc had no effect being in or being out. I changed the boot options to boot straight to the hard drive, and skip the whole process of searching for a dvd. No effect.

Frankly, I think I'm going to have to destroy this partition.

Forgot to mention this before but when I installed windows 8, I didn't destroy the recovery partition, I just installed a new OS. Would this have any effect, since Windows 8 isn't like Windows 7?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
Thanks for the update. The system ran for a week without problems. We might assume it's not the partition, but who knows? Software is very fickle. I always remove the partition. Did it just last night installing my 8 Pro OEM System Builder edition.

I think it to be updates myself being that it's a new OS. What does your gut instinct say? That's what I try to follow. If it were me, I would redo.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Thanks for the update. The system ran for a week without problems. We might assume it's not the partition, but who knows? Software is very fickle. I always remove the partition. Did it just last night installing my 8 Pro OEM System Builder edition.
I think it to be updates myself being that it's a new OS. What does your gut instinct say? That's what I try to follow. If it were me, I would redo.


Well, that was annoying. Changed from Desktop mode to Windows 8 mode in Chrome. It reposted again =/


I'm thinking that a full format would be in check. I really don't know about it.


Edit:

I'm gearing up for a format, going to back up everything, and format. I'mma make sure to kill that boot partition. This is such a major inconvenience. Why can't Microsoft fix things like this already :(
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
Well, not too sure if it's MS's fault and not blaming you either. All we can do is to move forward. I suggest to get it installed and run for a bit to stablize before loading other software. So many times we get in a hurry with our new toys. Boys and our toys, so they say. Good luck to you. Please check in with progress.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Well, It has been some time since I've posted here on this subject. I swapped out my motherboard, and a lot of my original problems went away. I swapped hard drives, from a 160GB to a 500GB Western Digital drive. And when I get the money, I'm going to setup a Solid State drive.

Anyways, thanks for all the help you guys have given me. I'm not sure what happened originally, but my Windows 8 has been running smoothly, I've even gotten my mother & brother to try it out. My mom loves it because she can customize it to show different likes/dislikes. :) Now, if only I can get her to upgrade our router :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
    CPU
    Intel Q9400 2.66Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P43T-ES3G
    Memory
    G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 560
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 21.5" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    160GB WD
    WD Caviar Black 640GB
    WD 500GB
    WD 1TB
    WD 1TB
    PSU
    OCZ GameXStream 600W
    Case
    Sunbeam Transformer Black
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 Keyboard (Original)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX518
    Internet Speed
    Fiber Optic
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