Solved Windows 8 won't boot, try to reset asks fr windows 8 media

jagwar

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I have an Asus Vivobook S400c. Yesterday I tried installing Windows 7 (cause im not much a fan of win8) following this guide:
Installing Windows 7 on an ASUS S400C Ultrabook « Rolling Windows and Sticky Bytes

I came to a stopping point when in the windows 7 setup where you choose a location to install the OS. It wouldnt let me install it in any of the drives.

I then did something I now regret, tried "Formatting" a couple of the drives in the list.. (One said OS and I don't remember the other).

That didnt work so i took the flash drive (bootable OS) out and restarted the computer.

It did the Automatic repair thing, diagnosed it, and failed to fix it. (All of this in a Windows 8 interface, so i must not have deleted everything?)

After that i press "Advanced options" and press Continue to windows 8 and it does the exact same thing again^

I have tried to reset and it asks for windows 8 media thing and I tried putting windows 8.1 on a bootable flash drive, it said it was invalid.

I am now downloading a windows 8 (not 8.1) operating system so i can make that a bootable flash drive and see if that works.. I don't know if this comp was originally 8 or 8.1...





Is there anything you suggest to do instead of what I plan on doing? And if my plan doesn't what should i do next?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome
Probably on the right track. Sounds like you didn't format the volume containing winre, so if you put in the installation media when it asks, it may work fine.

There is tutorial on this site about getting rid of 8 and installing 7.

That is worth trying since you would rather have 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The Problem with any OEM puter with Windows 8, is that the OS will be on one partition and on a small partition, is the actual bootloader.

In Windows 7 Installer, when you get to the point of choosing location, and not finding any usable partitions, you can WIPE the whole drive. And you should, because if you leave any of the original partitions there, it will fail to install the os in any bootable fashion.

If you have a WinRE partition, it is possible that the Boot Loader for all OSes is on THAT partition. So you should delete it, as the WinRE that is there is for Windows 8 anyway, and you can install a Windows 7 version of WinRE. I never do that though, I wile all of the target partition and then I save the Disk or Flash Drive with the OS installer on it, and use THAT to repair the OS if the need comes up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
The Problem with any OEM puter with Windows 8, is that the OS will be on one partition and on a small partition, is the actual bootloader.

In Windows 7 Installer, when you get to the point of choosing location, and not finding any usable partitions, you can WIPE the whole drive. And you should, because if you leave any of the original partitions there, it will fail to install the os in any bootable fashion.

If you have a WinRE partition, it is possible that the Boot Loader for all OSes is on THAT partition. So you should delete it, as the WinRE that is there is for Windows 8 anyway, and you can install a Windows 7 version of WinRE. I never do that though, I wile all of the target partition and then I save the Disk or Flash Drive with the OS installer on it, and use THAT to repair the OS if the need comes up.
Do I wipe all drives in the list?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome
ONLY the drives on the partition! But I guarantee, if you install Windows 7 onto a fully reformatted BLANK drive (With one and only one partition), it WILL Boot ti Windows 7 and not any leftover 8 fartition!

I know that some new machines depend on UEFI, but in the BIOS setup, if you wipe a 8 drive and install 7 to the full space of the empty drive, just choose "Boot to UEFI partition" in the BIOS and it will work for 7 as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I came to a stopping point when in the windows 7 setup where you choose a location to install the OS. It wouldnt let me install it in any of the drives.

YES & NO, down to your UEFI/BIOS firmware setting.

Welcome to EightForums

As this a OEM manufacturer's PC with Pre-installed Windows 8.

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.


You will need to buy Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
ONLY the drives on the partition! But I guarantee, if you install Windows 7 onto a fully reformatted BLANK drive (With one and only one partition), it WILL Boot ti Windows 7 and not any leftover 8 fartition!

I know that some new machines depend on UEFI, but in the BIOS setup, if you wipe a 8 drive and install 7 to the full space of the empty drive, just choose "Boot to UEFI partition" in the BIOS and it will work for 7 as well.
How do i know which drives are on what partition???? lol

AND what partition do i want to wipe???????
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome
Just delete all partitions on the target drive, they will show in-line... Or maybe one on tops of the others.

If there is a second hard drive, it will show THAT drive on a different line. But for safety's sake, remove all but the main OS hard drive. You can add trhe storage drive in after the OS goes in.

He is correct with the USB 3.0, check that Tutorial it is a good tutorial.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Just delete all partitions on the target drive, they will show in-line... Or maybe one on tops of the others.

If there is a second hard drive, it will show THAT drive on a different line. But for safety's sake, remove all but the main OS hard drive. You can add trhe storage drive in after the OS goes in.

He is correct with the USB 3.0, check that Tutorial it is a good tutorial.
Yay! I deleted everything that said "Partition" in it and am now installing windows 7 on the SSD

Anything I have to do after this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome
Nope! Just sit back and enjoy the 5 minute installation - And it should boot right up when done.

Attach any drives to the system after it comes up the first time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Nope! Just sit back and enjoy the 5 minute installation - And it should boot right up when done.

Attach any drives to the system after it comes up the first time.

Yep, it worked. I installed a bunch of drivers and got it working perfectly. Thanks for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel i7 4th Gen
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX 950m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27in Asus display
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    240GB SSD, x2 2TB My Passport, x2 6TB My Book
    Browser
    Chrome
For the record, my post does say you have to nuke all the partitions to get Windows 7 to install. I've updated the post to include more specific information about how to erase the partitions on the system disk and yet another data loss warning.

I'm glad you were able to get it sorted out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Didn't see any previous posts by you, was it in this thread? well if you did, you should be recognized for saying so, I'll take care of that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
On a ASUS the only UEFI/BIOS firmware setting that needs to be reset is Secure Boot to DISABLED.

1) Downgrade to Windows 7.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13326-downgrade-windows-8-windows-7-a.html
Warning you must have the UEFI/BIOS firmware setting in Step Three set.

Make sure you read the NOTE at Step three.

2) If Using a USB Pen drive on a PC with a UEFI BIOS.
USB Pen drive need to be formatted to FAT32 as in
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html
Take note of Step 11 for Windows 7.
Also you will need to use a USB 2.0 port, as there are no USB 3.0 drivers in Windows 7.


You will need to buy Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Didn't see any previous posts by you, was it in this thread?

I wrote the blog post linked by the OP.

Yep, ya shore did!

7. Since Windows 7 doesn’t support GPT, you’ll have to nuke all the partitions to proceed with the install. Yes, this means delete all the listed This includes the recovery partition and all the OEM partitions so you can never go back to the factory Windows 8 image.

Good to find your blog. Gonna put it in my bookmarks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Didn't see any previous posts by you, was it in this thread?

I wrote the blog post linked by the OP.

Yep, ya shore did!

7. Since Windows 7 doesn’t support GPT, you’ll have to nuke all the partitions to proceed with the install. Yes, this means delete all the listed This includes the recovery partition and all the OEM partitions so you can never go back to the factory Windows 8 image.

Good to find your blog. Gonna put it in my bookmarks.

When did MS stop Windows 7 x64 support for GPT/UEFI?

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Help Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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