ASUS Refresh/ Reset issue since upgrading from Windows 8.1

[alphanumeric]

Nah, it's not Pro. That was a $99 laptop of 11.6". The reason I wanted to reinstall 8.1 was because the one they put on there does not support RECIMG (which in itself is strange). It is also impossible to boot from USB - a really retarded BIOS. So I am a bit stuck for images.

But it is only a toy that weighs 2 lbs. Since my wife has 'monopolized' my Asus T100 Transformer, that was supposed to be the replacement for travel.

ARM Processor maybe? If yes its Windows RT

Nah, this is the OS:

Windows 8.1 (build 9600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)
Boot Mode: UEFI with successful Secure Boot

Yeah, I started thinking about it again last night and relished, if it had been an ARM Processor, you never would have gotten to the enter product code part anyway. It would have rejected the hardware a lot earlier on. A BIOS setting maybe, Secure Boot turned off? Just guessing really.

 

[alphanumeric]

@ WrathOfAsus Have you made any progress? And sorry for taking this thread off topic, it happens sometimes.

 

[WrathOfAsus]

lol yeah feeling lonely in here ..... stick doesnt arrive until tomorrow. Could do with an opinion on my query below though.

Noted the post of the chap below particuarly:

"Note the following text: Go to the Windows Store to reinstall Windows 8.1 and your apps."

On the option 1. I appear to have this so can i assume that this will work and the particular issue remains specific to the reboot F9 process?

Also on his first "note" does he think we should only use backtracker to do anything ..... i assume so as its ASUS specific.


P.S. Just noted the laptop updated windows again. Ridiculous that i need to fear important updates.

Note: If you have an ASUS computer, then you should use the Asus Backtracker utility.

Note: How to fix the error message: "Could not find the recovery environment", if the ID for the recovery partition type is incorrectly set to OEM. -> link

> OPTION ONE <

If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and you updated to Windows 8.1, then when you refresh or reset Windows, it will reinstall Windows 8 from hard drive recovery partition (recovery image location) or from the recovery USB flash drive. Afterwards, you will need to update to Windows 8.1 via the Store again.

Note: Sometimes it happens that after doing the upgrade to Windows 8.1, refresh and reset does not work anymore. Note: But all should be okay if you receive the following screen (see screenshot below) when you select: PC settings > Update and recovery > Recovery > click on the Get started button under the Refresh your PC without affecting your files section.

Note the following text: Go to the Windows Store to reinstall Windows 8.1 and your apps.

View attachment 40030

> OPTION TWO <

If you don't have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and you updated Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, then when you refresh or reset Windows, it will reinstall Windows 8.1, but only if you have Windows 8.1 USB/DVD installation media.

Note: You must insert Windows 8.1 USB/DVD installation media. See this link: How to download Windows 8.1 installation media.

If you don't insert any installation media or if you insert Windows 8 USB/DVD installation media, then you receive the following error message: "Insert Media. Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files." (see screenshot below).

View attachment 46257

reagentc /info

Here is info about reagentc /info and the new 350 MB or 450 MB recovery partition, if you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and updated to Windows 8.1.

Windows 8 (before Windows 8.1 update)

Partition 1 - Recovery - 1000 MB - Windows RE location
Partition 2 - System - 260 MB
Partition 3 - OEM - 1000 MB - OEM partition does not exist in all OEM computers.
Partition 4 - Reserved - 128 MB - Note: This partition not visible within Disk Management.
Partition 5 - Primary - 908 GB
Partition 6 - Recovery - 20 GB - Recovery image location

reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:
Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition1\Recovery\WindowsRE
Recovery image location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition6\OKRbackup\factory

View attachment 40085

View attachment 40032

View attachment 40086

Windows 8.1 (after Windows 8.1 update from the Windows Store)

Partition 1 - Recovery - 1000 MB
Partition 2 - System - 260 MB
Partition 3 - OEM - 1000 MB - OEM partition does not exist in all OEM computers.
Partition 4 - Reserved - 128 MB - Note: This partition not visible within Disk Management.
Partition 5 - Primary - 908 GB
Partition 6 - Recovery - 350 MB or 450 MB - Windows RE location Note: This is a new partition.
Partition 7 - Recovery - 20 GB - Recovery image location

reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:
Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition6\Recovery\WindowsRE
Recovery image location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition7\OKRbackup\factory

View attachment 40041

View attachment 40039

View attachment 40042

Note: If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, you may not use the third-party partition software (for example, EaseUS Partition Master), because modifying the hard drive partition structure usually break the factory restore feature. But if you use Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition (see screenshots below), then refresh and reset should work, even if you have the 350 MB or 450 MB recovery partition after the C: partition.

View attachment 48692

View attachment 48693

View attachment 48694

View attachment 48695

View attachment 48696

Note that reset does not remove your personal files, if you move your personal files off the C: partition to another partition. When the "Your PC has more than one drive. Do you want to remove all files from all drives?" screen appears, select the option "Only the drive where Windows is installed" (see screenshots below).

View attachment 48694

View attachment 48698

View attachment 48699

View attachment 48700

Note: Before upgrade to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store, you do not need to install all Windows 8 updates from Windows Update. You only need to install KB2871389 update, then you’ll be able to install the Windows 8.1 update via the Windows Store. Download and install KB2871389 update from link or from Windows Update.

KB2871389 (direct download link)
- All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...5E-794177982162/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x86.msu
- All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...49-140AB1CF7B5F/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x64.msu

But if you've opened the Windows Store and you don't see the Windows 8.1 update, then you will need to also install KB2917499 update.

Other instructions.

- Installing using UEFI boot mode or Legacy BIOS boot mode. -> link
- How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

 

[WrathOfAsus]

ok for those who fall foul of this BS from ASUS you need to download backtracker, copy the factory image within the program to a USB key (16gb min), change your BIOS to boot from the USB ..... the rest is plain sailing. Nothing else worked for me other than this and for me its clear ASUS support have been told to push sending for a fee the recovery discs. Disgusting really as all they had to do was provide the solution I described above.

Only issue is you will obviously need to update windows and although it appears its timing out ..... its actually just an age finding the multitude of updates. Just be patient.

What I have noticed though is I am no longer offered an upgrade to windows 8.1 ..... why is this ? ..... should I be bothered ?

 

[alphanumeric]

One of those Windows Updates enables the 8.1 upgrade through the Windows Store. Eventually when they are all done and you go to the Windows store, you'll be given the option to upgrade to 8.1.

 

[genet]

Before upgrade to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store, you do not need to install all Windows 8 updates from Windows Update. You only need to install KB2871389 update, then you’ll be able to install the Windows 8.1 update via the Windows Store. Download and install KB2871389 update from link or from Windows Update.

KB2871389 (direct download link)
- All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...5E-794177982162/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x86.msu
- All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...49-140AB1CF7B5F/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x64.msu

But if you've opened the Windows Store and you don't see the Windows 8.1 update, then you will need to also install KB2917499 update.

 

[KYHI]

Or just download the asus software and drivers yourself from the auus support website and windows 8.1 setup media

 

[alphanumeric]

Or just download the asus software and drivers yourself from the auus support website and windows 8.1 setup media

 

[WrathOfAsus]

Installed windows 8.1 from store (thanks). That's it all up and running again. ASUS support is pathetic. Just as well the community is there to help out.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes and yes. :thumb: