Please Help! Stuck On Windows 8 Install

dansheehan

New Member
Messages
9
Hi - I'll be grateful for any help you might be able to give with this, as I've managed to get myself stuck trying to install Windows 8 Release Preview. Here's what I did and what happened.

1. Downloaded Windows 8 Release Preview 64 bit from MS.
2. Clicked on the download which took me to Roxio software to burn a disc (ISO I think).
3. Put the disc in my Vaio and re-started.
4. Began the install.
5. Filled in the first 'Windows Setup' screen.
6. Entered the product key.
7. Agreed license terms.
8. Selected 'Custom Install' (at that time I was following a guide for a clean install).
9. Chose the pre-selected drive for where to install Windows, clicked 'Next'.
10. Now the problems start. When I got back to my desk, I have a 'System Recovery Options' dialog box.
11. Options are 'Startup repair', 'System restore,' 'Windows complete PC restore,' Windows memory diagnostic tool,' 'Command prompt'.
12. Selecting 'Startup repair returns a message 'cannot repair this computer automatically,' and in the Problem Details drop-down there is a bunch of stuff including 'Problem signature 6 OSVersionMismatch'.

Note: I was running Vista 32 before but since my Vaio is 64-bit ready I choose the 64-bit W8 download.

I have no idea how to proceed. I'm currently working from a Mac but could get access to a different PC if that's required to solve this problem.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Dan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Hi - I'm not even sure how to do that. When I restart with the 64-bit ISO disc in, it doesn't trigger the install, it just goes straight to the 'Systems Recovery Options' dialog box. (I think it's trying (?) to boot into Vista, maybe, as it seems that it has a Vista loading screen just before this, but I'm not really sure.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Also, when looking at Startup Repair 'Diagnosis and repair details' it says:

Root cause found:
The operating system version is incompatible with Startup Repair

Is this caused by running a 64 install over Vista 32?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Are you booting directly off the DVD drive from the BIOS screen? I'm not too sure if you are.

If you can get into vista, try making a partition on your hard drive if you have enough space and try installing Windows 8 onto that partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Don't go away when installing - it re-boots without telling you to take the disk out of the drive (same with USB dongles) - so it goes back to the start of install but finds a system there and gets confused....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I7 920
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T-Se
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5770
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500Gb
    PSU
    Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
    Case
    NOX
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
    Other Info
    Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
Don't go away when installing - it re-boots without telling you to take the disk out of the drive (same with USB dongles) - so it goes back to the start of install but finds a system there and gets confused....

Okay, thanks, I suppose that helps explains what went wrong. Still, how can I start the install process over again?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Are you booting directly off the DVD drive from the BIOS screen? I'm not too sure if you are.

If you can get into vista, try making a partition on your hard drive if you have enough space and try installing Windows 8 onto that partition.

I don't know how to get to the BIOS screen, when I switch on, it just goes to the System Recovery Options dialog box.

I'd be happy just to do a fresh install, I don't really need to keep any programs/files, but I just don't know how to get out of this error loop. I don't know how to trigger the ISO install disc to start the install over. :(

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Are you re-booting with the DVD disc still in? I seem to remember it did that with me until I rebooted with the disc out, then it carried on with the install...

Otherwise you may have to scratch the HDD with another utility and start again. (You do have 2 computers - right?) - others have recommendations for bootable disk utilities, all the way to a live Ubuntu install!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I7 920
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T-Se
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5770
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500Gb
    PSU
    Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
    Case
    NOX
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
    Other Info
    Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
Are you re-booting with the DVD disc still in? I seem to remember it did that with me until I rebooted with the disc out, then it carried on with the install...

Otherwise you may have to scratch the HDD with another utility and start again. (You do have 2 computers - right?) - others have recommendations for bootable disk utilities, all the way to a live Ubuntu install!

Hi – I've tried rebooting several times without a disc in, and also with the 64 bit disc in or the 32 bit. I just get the same 'System Recovery Options' dialog box each time. I just can't seem to trigger any other options/screen/install.

Any ideas??
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
You run only one harddrive on your computer and you installed to the first harddrive right? (Cuz in your specs you have 2 x 320 harddrives listed.)

At the Vaio boot screen press f1, nothing happens then reboot and press f2. Keep rebooting and look for either a boot selection or Bios (for me I like to play my function buttons like a piano until something appears) The point of this is to be able to boot directly off of the CD/DVD.

Have you tried booting into any other DVDs such as a partitioning program like Gparted? (which you can use to wipe you HDD if needed) Maybe you broke the boot order ._.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500k
    Motherboard
    ASRock z77 Extreme 4
    Memory
    Team Elite 8GB (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Nvidia GT 530
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC892
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB SATA III 7200 RPM
    PSU
    Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W
    Case
    NZXT GAMMA Classic Series
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
    Keyboard
    i-rocks RF-6570
    Mouse
    i-rocks RF-7550A
    Internet Speed
    17Mbps
Definately need to scratch the current win8 install on the HDD and start again - Gparted etc on a DVD/CD and boot that. You must have set the bios to boot from CD/DVD to start the install process?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I7 920
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T-Se
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5770
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500Gb
    PSU
    Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
    Case
    NOX
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
    Other Info
    Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
You run only one harddrive on your computer and you installed to the first harddrive right? (Cuz in your specs you have 2 x 320 harddrives listed.)

At the Vaio boot screen press f1, nothing happens then reboot and press f2. Keep rebooting and look for either a boot selection or Bios (for me I like to play my function buttons like a piano until something appears) The point of this is to be able to boot directly off of the CD/DVD.

Have you tried booting into any other DVDs such as a partitioning program like Gparted? (which you can use to wipe you HDD if needed) Maybe you broke the boot order ._.

Okay, following this, I seem to have managed to boot from the W8 64 bit disc again. The install setup has started.

Setup is starting.

When I selected 'Upgrade' it asked me to remove the disc and restart, but then that gave me the same error loop as before, so I'm going to try again and this time select 'Custom Install.'
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Okay, this is probably where I need help.

Since the 'Upgrade' option doesn't seem to be an option, I selected 'Custom Install'

So now I get this screen:

photo.JPG

What should I do from here??

Thanks

Dan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
One more question about the Custom Install.

I don't mind losing programs and files, but will a Custom Install preserve all the relevant drivers for my computer??

Thanks

Dan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista 32 Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio VGN-AW11Z
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400
    Memory
    4096 DDR2 - PC2-6400 (SO-DIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT GPU
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 320
Hi Dan,

In your first post item 9 - is Drive 0 Partition 2 where you wanted Win 8 to go? If so you select that one.

Drivers - if you've scratched the partition where will the drivers be?

Good Luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN7 Home Premium 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I7 920
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T-Se
    Memory
    6Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD5770
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H, Samsing Syncmaster 2233, Samsung Syncmaster T200HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500Gb
    PSU
    Coolermaster Silent Pro M700
    Case
    NOX
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
    Other Info
    Dell Inspiron 1501 with Win 8 CP 32 Bit - flying along!
Select the partition you want to install to, If you don't want your old stuff select a partition and click delete. Keep deleting until you have no more partitions. After that press New and it will create a new partition to install to. Select the biggest partition and continue (WARNING: DATA LOSS)

As for drivers you can re download them from ze internet. The internet has everything :D (almost everything)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500k
    Motherboard
    ASRock z77 Extreme 4
    Memory
    Team Elite 8GB (4 x 2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Nvidia GT 530
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC892
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB SATA III 7200 RPM
    PSU
    Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W
    Case
    NZXT GAMMA Classic Series
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
    Keyboard
    i-rocks RF-6570
    Mouse
    i-rocks RF-7550A
    Internet Speed
    17Mbps
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