Solved How do I restore recovery partition for 'Reset PC to work?

sebu3

New Member
Messages
7
Hello.

I have a problem with restoring (reseting) my OS to factory image using Recovery partition. The problem is not that uncommon, yet I've tried a gadzillion things and none seem to work (or I've been doing them wrong). And I was hoping you guys could have a look and point me toward a resolution.

The computer is an Asus X553M laptop, which came with W8.1 wBing pre-installed and two visible partitions (C - os, D - data). There was also a 100MB System partition, 900MB Restore partition (the one I am now booting to, I suspect, more on that later), 128MB Reserved partition, and 20GB Recovery one (the one with system image). It worked fine for some time, then I upgraded it to W10, then worked fine some more, but problems started popping up, so I decided to start anew with a fresh system install. I wanted to try if W7 would work, I popped the CD in, formatted C and D. Wanting only one working partition, I deleted C and D (only!, I left all the remaining partitions, including Recovery) and made a single partition in their place. However, it turned out, the disk is GPT and W7 wouldn't install out of box, so I thought no biggie, I will restore the 8.1.

I booted to Troubleshooting (I think it is called), clicked Reset PC and 'A required drive partition is missing'. I thought I could get around it by extracting the key and installing Win8.1 from Microsoft's ISO, but it turns out Win8.1 != Win8.1 wBing (the key didn't work. Oh, well). So, now I have to somehow get the Reset PC working again on a computer that does not have an OS right now (I have another machine with W7. No machine with Win8 or 8.1 atm).

I tried splitting the merged partition back into two, but that didn't help. I tried setting the IDs of partitions as it is in the DiskpartScript.txt on 900MB Restore partition (de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac) for both Partition 2 (Restore) and Partition 6 (Recovery), coupled with assigning letters for all partitions. The set id part, probably changed the partition 2 type from Restore to Recovery (although I'm not 100% sure). All that didn't help. I tried unhide partition 6, but couldn't as diskpart returned 'The object is not found'. I wanted to check reagentc command and its /info and/or /setosimage, but reagentc is not recognized as an internal or external command.

DISKPART returns the following now:
Code:
Partition ###        Type        Size        Offset
Partition 1        System    100MB        1024KB
Partition 2        Recovery    900MB        101MB
Partition 3        Reserved    128MB        1001MB
Partition 4        Primary    172GB        1129MB
Partition 5        Primary    271GB        173GB
Partition 6        Recovery    20GB        445GB


The Recovery partition (6) looks alright (with files):
Code:
Recovery
        WindowsRE
                    boot.sdi
                    ReAgent.xml
                    Winre.wim
RecoveryBoot
        AsDiskLayout.dat
        AsPartition.dat
        boot.wim
        
RecoveryImage
        DONOTEREPLACE.TXT
        install.wim


The Resore (Recovery now) partition (2) looks alright as well (directories only):
Code:
Boot
        en-us
        Fonts
        Resources
EFI
        Boot
            en-us
        Microsoft
            Boot
                en-us
                Fonts
                Resources
en-us
FACLog
Sources

There are too many files to retype them here. I will get a linux livecd to tree them out asap, if that helps.

I don't think the files got corrupt, but somehow the link between partitions is not there for Troubleshooting to see. Or it's wrong now after the whole merge/split partitions.

Is there a change to get the restore back up working? I don't mind having two visible partitions (OS and DATA), if that means the reset pc works. Any ideas? Or things I should have checked, but didn't?

Thank you!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
start googling videos like this.. or start reading on Asus forum about how they did it.. you need the guys who are freaks about asus restore info..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1nSSgPBcg

[video=youtube;sF1nSSgPBcg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1nSSgPBcg[/video]



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


or read through this and see if it applies to you :


http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/49338-windows-8-1-asus-factory-reset.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
from a Command Prompt (Admin) type >

Reagentc / info

and post pic
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
you need the guys who are freaks about asus restore info..


or the the "freak of Partitioning and Booting on all computers" - KYHI..

ha..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
from a Command Prompt (Admin) type >

Reagentc / info

and post pic
As I've said - I'm unable to do that. 'reagentc' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I suspect(?) that maybe I'm booting into wrong RE. Yet, I have no idea how to make it right. I checked bcdedit to see if there's something to work with. Maybe there is, but I don't see it. It looks like I will have to create a store(?) or an entry or however it is called to boot to the other partition and its RE, where I hope to have at least access to reagentc.

A few things I managed to extract, which might be helpful:
diskpart:
Code:
C:\>diskpart


Microsoft DiskPart version 6.3.9600


Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: MININT-SG8NCR5


DISKPART> sel disk 0


Disk 0 is now the selected disk.


DISKPART> list vol


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 0     E   Ubuntu 14.0  CDFS   DVD-ROM      981 MB  Healthy
  Volume 1     C                NTFS   Partition    172 GB  Healthy
  Volume 2     D                NTFS   Partition    271 GB  Healthy
  Volume 3         SYSTEM       FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 4     F   Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 5     R   Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> list part


  Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
  -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
  Partition 1    System             100 MB  1024 KB
  Partition 2    Recovery           900 MB   101 MB
  Partition 3    Reserved           128 MB  1001 MB
  Partition 4    Primary            172 GB  1129 MB
  Partition 5    Primary            271 GB   173 GB
  Partition 6    Recovery            20 GB   445 GB


DISKPART> sel part 2


Partition 2 is now the selected partition.


DISKPART> det part


Partition 2
Type    : de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
Hidden  : Yes
Required: Yes
Attrib  : 0X8000000000000001
Offset in Bytes: 105906176


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
* Volume 4     F   Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> sel part 6


Partition 6 is now the selected partition.


DISKPART> det part


Partition 6
Type    : de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
Hidden  : Yes
Required: Yes
Attrib  : 0X8000000000000001
Offset in Bytes: 478622515200


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
* Volume 5     R   Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> exit


Leaving DiskPart...

bcdedit /enum all
Code:
Firmware Boot Manager
---------------------
identifier              {fwbootmgr}
displayorder            {bootmgr}
                        {c7b1106a-7574-11e4-8252-806e6f6e6963}
timeout                 2


Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier              {bootmgr}
device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
path                    \EFI\MICROSOFT\BOOT\BOOTMGFW.EFI
description             Windows Boot Manager
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {globalsettings}
default                 {default}
resumeobject            {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
displayorder            {default}
toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
timeout                 30


Firmware Application (101fffff)
-------------------------------
identifier              {c7b1106a-7574-11e4-8252-806e6f6e6963}
description             CD/DVD Drive 


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {default}
device                  unknown
path                    \Windows\system32\winload.efi
description             Windows 8.1
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence        {current}
recoveryenabled         Yes
isolatedcontext         Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
osdevice                unknown
systemroot              \Windows
resumeobject            {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
nx                      OptIn
bootmenupolicy          Standard


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {current}
device                  ramdisk=[F:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim,{a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
path                    \windows\system32\winload.efi
description             Windows Recovery Environment
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
displaymessage          Recovery
osdevice                ramdisk=[F:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim,{a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
systemroot              \windows
nx                      OptIn
bootmenupolicy          Standard
winpe                   Yes


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {a72b2ef7-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
device                  ramdisk=[F:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
path                    \windows\system32\boot\winload.efi
description             WinPE
osdevice                ramdisk=[F:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
systemroot              \windows
nx                      OptIn
detecthal               Yes
winpe                   Yes


Resume from Hibernate
---------------------
identifier              {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
device                  unknown
path                    \Windows\system32\winresume.efi
description             Windows Resume Application
locale                  en-us
inherit                 {resumeloadersettings}
recoverysequence        {current}
recoveryenabled         Yes
isolatedcontext         Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
filedevice              unknown
filepath                \hiberfil.sys
bootmenupolicy          Standard
debugoptionenabled      No


Windows Memory Tester
---------------------
identifier              {memdiag}
device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\memtest.efi
description             Windows Memory Diagnostic
locale                  en-us
inherit                 {globalsettings}
badmemoryaccess         Yes


EMS Settings
------------
identifier              {emssettings}
bootems                 No


Debugger Settings
-----------------
identifier              {dbgsettings}
debugtype               Serial
debugport               1
baudrate                115200


RAM Defects
-----------
identifier              {badmemory}


Global Settings
---------------
identifier              {globalsettings}
inherit                 {dbgsettings}
                        {emssettings}
                        {badmemory}


Boot Loader Settings
--------------------
identifier              {bootloadersettings}
inherit                 {globalsettings}
                        {hypervisorsettings}


Hypervisor Settings
-------------------
identifier              {hypervisorsettings}
hypervisordebugtype     Serial
hypervisordebugport     1
hypervisorbaudrate      115200


Resume Loader Settings
----------------------
identifier              {resumeloadersettings}
inherit                 {globalsettings}


Device options
--------------
identifier              {a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
description             Windows Recovery
ramdisksdidevice        partition=F:
ramdisksdipath          \Recovery\WindowsRE\boot.sdi


Setup Ramdisk Options
---------------------
identifier              {ramdiskoptions}
description             Ramdisk options
ramdisksdidevice        partition=F:
ramdisksdipath          \boot\boot.sdi

Partition 2 aka Recovery 900MB
Code:
.
├── AsDiskLayout.log
├── AsFac.log
├── AsPartition.ini
├── AsTCDProc_20141126150139.log
├── AsTCDProc_20141126152124.log
├── AsToolCDVer.txt
├── AsTool.state
├── Boot
│   ├── BCD
│   ├── bootfix.bin
│   ├── boot.sdi
│   ├── en-us
│   │   ├── bootmgr.exe.mui
│   │   └── memtest.exe.mui
│   ├── Fonts
│   │   ├── chs_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── cht_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── jpn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── kor_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── malgun_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── malgunn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── meiryo_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── meiryon_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msjh_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msjhn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msyh_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msyhn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── segmono_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── segoen_slboot.ttf
│   │   ├── segoe_slboot.ttf
│   │   └── wgl4_boot.ttf
│   ├── memtest.exe
│   └── Resources
│       └── bootres.dll
├── bootmgr
├── bootmgr.efi
├── DetectResult.ini
├── DiskpartScript.txt
├── EFI
│   ├── Boot
│   │   ├── bootx64.efi
│   │   └── en-us
│   │       └── bootx64.efi.mui
│   └── Microsoft
│       └── Boot
│           ├── BCD
│           ├── BCD.LOG
│           ├── BCD.LOG1
│           ├── BCD.LOG2
│           ├── en-us
│           │   └── memtest.efi.mui
│           ├── Fonts
│           │   ├── chs_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── cht_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── jpn_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── kor_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── malgun_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── meiryo_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── msjh_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── msyh_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── segmono_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── segoe_slboot.ttf
│           │   └── wgl4_boot.ttf
│           ├── memtest.efi
│           └── Resources
│               └── bootres.dll
├── en-us
│   └── bootmgr.efi.mui
├── FAC1_dism.log
├── FACLog
│   ├── EBN0CV59332548D.txt
│   ├── machineinfo-output.txt
│   └── OATrace.log
├── PASS.txt
├── Recovery
│   ├── Logs
│   │   ├── BootUX (1).sqml
│   │   ├── BootUX (2).sqml
│   │   ├── BootUX (3).sqml
│   │   └── Reload.xml
│   └── WindowsRE
│       ├── boot.sdi
│       ├── ReAgent.xml
│       └── Winre.wim
├── Recovery.txt
├── Sources
├── SWPackage.ini
├── System Volume Information
│   └── tracking.log
├── ToolDL.ini
└── USBHDD.log


19 directories, 72 files

Partition 6 aka Restore (20GB)
Code:
.
├── Recovery
│   └── WindowsRE
│       ├── boot.sdi
│       ├── ReAgent.xml
│       └── Winre.wim
├── RecoveryBoot
│   ├── AsDiskLayout.dat
│   ├── AsPartition.dat
│   └── boot.wim
├── RecoveryImage
│   ├── DONOTREPLACE.txt
│   └── install.wim
└── System Volume Information
    └── tracking.log


5 directories, 9 files

Any ideas on how to proceed with this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
from a Command Prompt (Admin) type >

Reagentc / info

and post pic
As I've said - I'm unable to do that. 'reagentc' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

I suspect(?) that maybe I'm booting into wrong RE. Yet, I have no idea how to make it right. I checked bcdedit to see if there's something to work with. Maybe there is, but I don't see it. It looks like I will have to create a store(?) or an entry or however it is called to boot to the other partition and its RE, where I hope to have at least access to reagentc.

A few things I managed to extract, which might be helpful:
diskpart:
Code:
C:\>diskpart


Microsoft DiskPart version 6.3.9600


Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: MININT-SG8NCR5


DISKPART> sel disk 0


Disk 0 is now the selected disk.


DISKPART> list vol


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 0     E   Ubuntu 14.0  CDFS   DVD-ROM      981 MB  Healthy
  Volume 1     C                NTFS   Partition    172 GB  Healthy
  Volume 2     D                NTFS   Partition    271 GB  Healthy
  Volume 3         SYSTEM       FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 4     F   Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 5     R   Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> list part


  Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
  -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
  Partition 1    System             100 MB  1024 KB
  Partition 2    Recovery           900 MB   101 MB
  Partition 3    Reserved           128 MB  1001 MB
  Partition 4    Primary            172 GB  1129 MB
  Partition 5    Primary            271 GB   173 GB
  Partition 6    Recovery            20 GB   445 GB


DISKPART> sel part 2


Partition 2 is now the selected partition.


DISKPART> det part


Partition 2
Type    : de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
Hidden  : Yes
Required: Yes
Attrib  : 0X8000000000000001
Offset in Bytes: 105906176


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
* Volume 4     F   Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> sel part 6


Partition 6 is now the selected partition.


DISKPART> det part


Partition 6
Type    : de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
Hidden  : Yes
Required: Yes
Attrib  : 0X8000000000000001
Offset in Bytes: 478622515200


  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
* Volume 5     R   Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden


DISKPART> exit


Leaving DiskPart...

bcdedit /enum all
Code:
Firmware Boot Manager
---------------------
identifier              {fwbootmgr}
displayorder            {bootmgr}
                        {c7b1106a-7574-11e4-8252-806e6f6e6963}
timeout                 2


Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier              {bootmgr}
device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
path                    \EFI\MICROSOFT\BOOT\BOOTMGFW.EFI
description             Windows Boot Manager
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {globalsettings}
default                 {default}
resumeobject            {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
displayorder            {default}
toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
timeout                 30


Firmware Application (101fffff)
-------------------------------
identifier              {c7b1106a-7574-11e4-8252-806e6f6e6963}
description             CD/DVD Drive 


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {default}
device                  unknown
path                    \Windows\system32\winload.efi
description             Windows 8.1
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence        {current}
recoveryenabled         Yes
isolatedcontext         Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
osdevice                unknown
systemroot              \Windows
resumeobject            {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
nx                      OptIn
bootmenupolicy          Standard


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {current}
device                  ramdisk=[F:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim,{a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
path                    \windows\system32\winload.efi
description             Windows Recovery Environment
locale                  pl-PL
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
displaymessage          Recovery
osdevice                ramdisk=[F:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim,{a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
systemroot              \windows
nx                      OptIn
bootmenupolicy          Standard
winpe                   Yes


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {a72b2ef7-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
device                  ramdisk=[F:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
path                    \windows\system32\boot\winload.efi
description             WinPE
osdevice                ramdisk=[F:]\sources\boot.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
systemroot              \windows
nx                      OptIn
detecthal               Yes
winpe                   Yes


Resume from Hibernate
---------------------
identifier              {a72b2ef3-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
device                  unknown
path                    \Windows\system32\winresume.efi
description             Windows Resume Application
locale                  en-us
inherit                 {resumeloadersettings}
recoverysequence        {current}
recoveryenabled         Yes
isolatedcontext         Yes
allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
filedevice              unknown
filepath                \hiberfil.sys
bootmenupolicy          Standard
debugoptionenabled      No


Windows Memory Tester
---------------------
identifier              {memdiag}
device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\memtest.efi
description             Windows Memory Diagnostic
locale                  en-us
inherit                 {globalsettings}
badmemoryaccess         Yes


EMS Settings
------------
identifier              {emssettings}
bootems                 No


Debugger Settings
-----------------
identifier              {dbgsettings}
debugtype               Serial
debugport               1
baudrate                115200


RAM Defects
-----------
identifier              {badmemory}


Global Settings
---------------
identifier              {globalsettings}
inherit                 {dbgsettings}
                        {emssettings}
                        {badmemory}


Boot Loader Settings
--------------------
identifier              {bootloadersettings}
inherit                 {globalsettings}
                        {hypervisorsettings}


Hypervisor Settings
-------------------
identifier              {hypervisorsettings}
hypervisordebugtype     Serial
hypervisordebugport     1
hypervisorbaudrate      115200


Resume Loader Settings
----------------------
identifier              {resumeloadersettings}
inherit                 {globalsettings}


Device options
--------------
identifier              {a72b2ef6-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}
description             Windows Recovery
ramdisksdidevice        partition=F:
ramdisksdipath          \Recovery\WindowsRE\boot.sdi


Setup Ramdisk Options
---------------------
identifier              {ramdiskoptions}
description             Ramdisk options
ramdisksdidevice        partition=F:
ramdisksdipath          \boot\boot.sdi

Partition 2 aka Recovery 900MB
Code:
.
├── AsDiskLayout.log
├── AsFac.log
├── AsPartition.ini
├── AsTCDProc_20141126150139.log
├── AsTCDProc_20141126152124.log
├── AsToolCDVer.txt
├── AsTool.state
├── Boot
│   ├── BCD
│   ├── bootfix.bin
│   ├── boot.sdi
│   ├── en-us
│   │   ├── bootmgr.exe.mui
│   │   └── memtest.exe.mui
│   ├── Fonts
│   │   ├── chs_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── cht_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── jpn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── kor_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── malgun_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── malgunn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── meiryo_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── meiryon_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msjh_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msjhn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msyh_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── msyhn_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── segmono_boot.ttf
│   │   ├── segoen_slboot.ttf
│   │   ├── segoe_slboot.ttf
│   │   └── wgl4_boot.ttf
│   ├── memtest.exe
│   └── Resources
│       └── bootres.dll
├── bootmgr
├── bootmgr.efi
├── DetectResult.ini
├── DiskpartScript.txt
├── EFI
│   ├── Boot
│   │   ├── bootx64.efi
│   │   └── en-us
│   │       └── bootx64.efi.mui
│   └── Microsoft
│       └── Boot
│           ├── BCD
│           ├── BCD.LOG
│           ├── BCD.LOG1
│           ├── BCD.LOG2
│           ├── en-us
│           │   └── memtest.efi.mui
│           ├── Fonts
│           │   ├── chs_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── cht_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── jpn_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── kor_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── malgun_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── meiryo_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── msjh_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── msyh_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── segmono_boot.ttf
│           │   ├── segoe_slboot.ttf
│           │   └── wgl4_boot.ttf
│           ├── memtest.efi
│           └── Resources
│               └── bootres.dll
├── en-us
│   └── bootmgr.efi.mui
├── FAC1_dism.log
├── FACLog
│   ├── EBN0CV59332548D.txt
│   ├── machineinfo-output.txt
│   └── OATrace.log
├── PASS.txt
├── Recovery
│   ├── Logs
│   │   ├── BootUX (1).sqml
│   │   ├── BootUX (2).sqml
│   │   ├── BootUX (3).sqml
│   │   └── Reload.xml
│   └── WindowsRE
│       ├── boot.sdi
│       ├── ReAgent.xml
│       └── Winre.wim
├── Recovery.txt
├── Sources
├── SWPackage.ini
├── System Volume Information
│   └── tracking.log
├── ToolDL.ini
└── USBHDD.log


19 directories, 72 files

Partition 6 aka Restore (20GB)
Code:
.
├── Recovery
│   └── WindowsRE
│       ├── boot.sdi
│       ├── ReAgent.xml
│       └── Winre.wim
├── RecoveryBoot
│   ├── AsDiskLayout.dat
│   ├── AsPartition.dat
│   └── boot.wim
├── RecoveryImage
│   ├── DONOTREPLACE.txt
│   └── install.wim
└── System Volume Information
    └── tracking.log


5 directories, 9 files
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
Reagentc /info

had typo on prior post...

Are you booting into a window OS or WinPE / WinRE??

We can easily reset your PC using the Rescue Disk in my sig below..
we will need the files from partition 6

That Install.wim is the Factory Recovery Image...

The two .DAT files are for the disk and partition layout

And windowsRE is the recovery tools folder
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Reagentc /info

had typo on prior post...

Are you booting into a window OS or WinPE / WinRE??

We can easily reset your PC using the Rescue Disk in my sig below..
we will need the files from partition 6

That Install.wim is the Factory Recovery Image...

The two .DAT files are for the disk and partition layout

And windowsRE is the recovery tools folder
Yeah, I've noticed the extra space. I've tried reagentc /info. Still nothing. I've double-checked as I type. re-agent-c. Nothing - not recognized as a command.

Code:
C:\>reagentc /info
'reagentc' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.


C:\>
If partition6/WindowsRE is the recovery tools folder and reagentc is one of those tools, it looks like the environment I'm booting into doesn't see it. :huh:

I'm not booting into a win os - there's no proper os at the moment on the machine. I'm booting in a WinRE as far as I can tell - once HERE, I go to Advanced and Command Prompt. So it's RE, right?

I am downloading your Win8.1PESE iso. How do I proceed once I have it on a bootable device?

In the meantime, I've enumerated all from F:\Boot\BCD store (bcdedit /store f:\Boot\BCD /enum all). It isn't what I expected and it's probably of no use, but still:
Code:
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier              {bootmgr}
description             Windows Boot Manager
locale                  en-US
inherit                 {globalsettings}
default                 {default}
displayorder            {default}
toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
timeout                 30


Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {default}
device                  ramdisk=[boot]\sources\boot.wim,{7619dcc8-fafe-11d9-b411-000476eba25f}
path                    \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
description             Windows Setup
locale                  en-US
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
osdevice                ramdisk=[boot]\sources\boot.wim,{7619dcc8-fafe-11d9-b411-000476eba25f}
systemroot              \windows
bootmenupolicy          Standard
detecthal               Yes
winpe                   Yes
ems                     No


Windows Memory Tester
---------------------
identifier              {memdiag}
device                  boot
path                    \boot\memtest.exe
description             Windows Memory Diagnostic
locale                  en-US
inherit                 {globalsettings}


EMS Settings
------------
identifier              {emssettings}
bootems                 No


Debugger Settings
-----------------
identifier              {dbgsettings}
debugtype               Serial
debugport               1
baudrate                115200


Global Settings
---------------
identifier              {globalsettings}
inherit                 {dbgsettings}
                        {emssettings}


Boot Loader Settings
--------------------
identifier              {bootloadersettings}
inherit                 {globalsettings}
                        {hypervisorsettings}


Hypervisor Settings
-------------------
identifier              {hypervisorsettings}
description             Hypervisor Settings
hypervisordebugtype     Serial
hypervisordebugport     1
hypervisorbaudrate      115200


Device options
--------------
identifier              {7619dcc8-fafe-11d9-b411-000476eba25f}
ramdisksdidevice        boot
ramdisksdipath          \boot\boot.sdi

Thanks for the interest, KYHI. I appreciate it!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
because you are in a PE environment.. and you changing directory to C:
there are No exe file on the root of C:

C:\windows\system32\reagentc

Boot into My PE...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
I don't want to be smug, or unappreciative, but I think it would have worked on root of C as well (due to %PATH% variable). But it doesn't matter. I booted into your PE and still can't access reagentc. I wish I was kidding:
Untitled.jpg

Untitled2.jpg
I honestly hope I do something stupid and I'm just oblivious to my own stupidity.

Here's the diskpart info with KYHI's PE mounted:
Code:
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]
(c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

x:\windows\system32>diskpart

Microsoft DiskPart version 6.3.9600

Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: MININT-4D4PA6V

DISKPART> list disk

  Disk ###  Status         Size     Free     Dyn  Gpt
  --------  -------------  -------  -------  ---  ---
  Disk 0    Online          465 GB      0 B        *
  Disk 1    Online         7680 MB      0 B        *

DISKPART> sel disk 0

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list part

  Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
  -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
  Partition 1    System             100 MB  1024 KB
  Partition 2    Recovery           900 MB   101 MB
  Partition 3    Reserved           128 MB  1001 MB
  Partition 4    Primary            172 GB  1129 MB
  Partition 5    Primary            271 GB   173 GB
  Partition 6    Recovery            20 GB   445 GB

DISKPART> list vol

  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 0     F                       DVD-ROM         0 B  No Media
  Volume 1     C                NTFS   Partition    172 GB  Healthy
  Volume 2     D                NTFS   Partition    271 GB  Healthy
  Volume 3         SYSTEM       FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 4         Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 5         Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 6     E   WIN8_1PESE   FAT32  Removable   7678 MB  Healthy

DISKPART> sel disk 1

Disk 1 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list part

  Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
  -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
  Partition 1    Primary           7678 MB  1024 KB

DISKPART> list vol

  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 0     F                       DVD-ROM         0 B  No Media
  Volume 1     C                NTFS   Partition    172 GB  Healthy
  Volume 2     D                NTFS   Partition    271 GB  Healthy
  Volume 3         SYSTEM       FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 4         Recovery     NTFS   Partition    900 MB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 5         Restore      NTFS   Partition     20 GB  Healthy    Hidden
  Volume 6     E   WIN8_1PESE   FAT32  Removable   7678 MB  Healthy

DISKPART> exit

Leaving DiskPart...

x:\windows\system32>

Is the reagent's info so crucial? Is there a way to make reagent work, or is there anything else we can do?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
Now from within my PE - this will reset your PC back to factory Image...
Is that what you want to do ??


Diskpart
select disk 0
select partition 1
Assign letter=S
Select partition 2
Assign letter=T
select partition 6
Assign letter=R
exit

I need you to post
T:\Recovery\WindowsRE\ReAgent.xml
Before you continue with the commands below......
So I can Verify the proper Index to use...

(Usually Index:1) although your's may use another index....

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"R:\RecoveryImage\Install.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:C:\

C:\Windows\System32\bcdboot C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setreimage /Path T:\Recovery\WindowsRE /Target C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setosimage /Path R:\RecoveryImage /Target C:\Windows /Index 1
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Now from within my PE - this will reset your PC back to factory Image...
Is that what you want to do ??
Yeah, I'm positive. I don't have a valid Win 8.1 key. Only 8.1 wBing, which unfortunately is only available as a system recovery image (..).


I need you to post
T:\Recovery\WindowsRE\ReAgent.xml
Before you continue with the commands below......
So I can Verify the proper Index to use...

(Usually Index:1) although your's may use another index....


T:\Recovery\WindowsRE\ReAgent.xml (T:\ as in partition 2)
Code:
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

<WindowsRE version="2.0">
  <WinreBCD id="{a72b2ef5-75bf-11e4-9a5c-fe6adb242850}"/>
  <WinreLocation path="\Recovery\WindowsRE" id="0" offset="105906176" guid="{8ccf5958-7728-47ec-b4be-ae2720a0f2bb}"/>
  <ImageLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}"/>
  <PBRImageLocation path="\RecoveryImage" id="0" offset="478622515200" guid="{8ccf5958-7728-47ec-b4be-ae2720a0f2bb}" index="2"/>
  <PBRCustomImageLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}" index="0"/>
  <InstallState state="1"/>
  <OsInstallAvailable state="1"/>
  <CustomImageAvailable state="0"/>
  <IsAutoRepairOn state="1"/>
  <WinREStaged state="0"/>
  <OperationParam path=""/>
  <OsBuildVersion path="9600.17031.amd64fre.winblue_gdr.140221-1952"/>
  <OemTool state="0"/>
  <IsServer state="0"/>
  <DownlevelWinreLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}"/>
  <IsWimBoot state="0"/>
  <ScheduledOperation state="5"/>
</WindowsRE>
Is it index 2 after all?

Are the partitions sizes important for the image we apply? I mean, other than to have enough free space for the windows files? As in, do they have to be as in the initial (factory) setup? Or could I change their sizes around? (I don't mind it terribly if I couldn't change them around, but it's worth asking).

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
<PBRImageLocation path="\RecoveryImage" id="0" offset="478622515200" guid="{8ccf5958-7728-47ec-b4be-ae2720a0f2bb}" index="2"/>
Your PC uses Index 2 - so the cmds below are now correct for your PC to reset to factory

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"R:\RecoveryImage\Install.wim" /Index:2 /ApplyDir:C:\

C:\Windows\System32\bcdboot C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setreimage /Path T:\Recovery\WindowsRE /Target C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setosimage /Path R:\RecoveryImage /Target C:\Windows /Index 2

Then Reboot PC = Done...

Now to prevent this from happening again go into
Control Panel > Recovery > Create a Recovery Drive

Or use the OEM Recovery Media Creation Tool - to create the recovery media..

Either way this could of been prevented...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
It worked just fine. Thank you for your help, KYHI.

For anyone else who might have similiar problems - the whole process added an extra boot entry while Windows is booting up. This can be fixed as described here.

Also, answering my own question
Are the partitions sizes important for the image we apply? I mean, other than to have enough free space for the windows files? As in, do they have to be as in the initial (factory) setup? Or could I change their sizes around? (I don't mind it terribly if I couldn't change them around, but it's worth asking).Thanks!
It looks like having enough free space is enough. I've deleted partitions 4 and 5 to make a single partition for the OS (the way I wanted) and applied the image to single partition. It worked without a problem. So there you go.

Once again, thanks a lot for you help, KYHI!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 wBing
you need the guys who are freaks about asus restore info..

or the "freak of Partitioning and Booting on all computers" - KYHI..

It worked just fine. Thank you for your help, KYHI.

Your Welcome...
KYHI

You could of easily removed the un-needed (old) BCD boot entry by.

from "Run" type msconfig
Click on the "boot" tab
and select the old entry (non-current OS) and hit delete..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
<PBRImageLocation path="\RecoveryImage" id="0" offset="478622515200" guid="{8ccf5958-7728-47ec-b4be-ae2720a0f2bb}" index="2"/>
Your PC uses Index 2 - so the cmds below are now correct for your PC to reset to factory

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"R:\RecoveryImage\Install.wim" /Index:2 /ApplyDir:C:\

C:\Windows\System32\bcdboot C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setreimage /Path T:\Recovery\WindowsRE /Target C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setosimage /Path R:\RecoveryImage /Target C:\Windows /Index 2

Then Reboot PC = Done...

Now to prevent this from happening again go into
Control Panel > Recovery > Create a Recovery Drive

Or use the OEM Recovery Media Creation Tool - to create the recovery media..

Either way this could of been prevented...


i don't know what to try anymore
8.jpg
and in WindowsRE i only have this?
9.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
you failed to read...
Or the requested ReAgent.xml info is not present...

You will find the link to my PE Rescue Disk in my sig below..

Now from within my PE - this will reset your PC back to factory Image...
Is that what you want to do ??


Diskpart
select disk 0
select partition 1
Assign letter=S
Select partition 2
Assign letter=T
select partition 6
Assign letter=R
exit

I need you to post
T:\Recovery\WindowsRE\ReAgent.xml
Before you continue with the commands below......
So I can Verify the proper Index to use...

(Usually Index:1) although your's may use another index....

Dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:"R:\RecoveryImage\Install.wim" /Index:1 /ApplyDir:C:\

C:\Windows\System32\bcdboot C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setreimage /Path T:\Recovery\WindowsRE /Target C:\Windows

C:\Windows\System32\Reagentc /Setosimage /Path R:\RecoveryImage /Target C:\Windows /Index 1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
You can also re-install windows 8.1 _ BUT do not remove or format any of the existing partitions..
Once your system is New - (no need to update) then we can register the FACTORY image again...
Then RESET your PC back to factory...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
You can also re-install windows 8.1 _ BUT do not remove or format any of the existing partitions..
Once your system is New - (no need to update) then we can register the FACTORY image again...
Then RESET your PC back to factory...
i am sorry but i am in over my head so bad. i got lost in everything that i did so far. i would appreciate if you can start from beginning and explain me step by step exactly for my case. if you want i can even use TeamViewer and give you access to my computer since i think i am doing something wrong. thank you and sorry for being an annoying newbie
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
insert your windows 8.1 setup media
boot from the setup media and select install
BUT do not remove or format any of the existing partitions..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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