Solved Windows 8 will not boot with out the DVD

Nerva

New Member
Messages
13
Location
North Carolina
I was just using my PC one day like any other day, and got a pop up saying Windows encounter an error, and the HDD was going to fail (SMART Error i assume), and to backup everything and so on. Since the HDD is only about 6 months old, I decided to run CHKDSK, and SeaTools to look for any errors on the Disk. SeaTools for Windows said it was ok, I chose the proper C: Drive (and only HDD, the other was a flash drive) and ran both Short/Long Generic test under the Basic Test button. Looking back I should have probably ran the S.M.A.R.T Test, or maybe even the advance. But I did not so whatever lol.

Since SeaTools said it was fine, I decided I would run a simple CHKDSK by choosing the drive in File Explorer, right click>Properties>Tools, and ran the "error check" on it. Of course it passed. So, I searched a little on Google and found out that CHKDSK can not do a proper scan on a drive that is being used. So, I opened the command prompt and ran a CHKDSK /F /R on the next boot.

Everything went fine up to 27%, after it being stuck at that point for around 1hr or so. I decided to dig some more on Google with my laptop. I quickly found out that its a known bug(?) in Windows 8 that CHKDSK /F /R will get stuck at 27% for most users. The general advice I got was to just wait it out. It was a very long process and it should still be working, only the UI was not reflecting that. So I waited for around 24hrs (my HDD is only 500GB, with only 150GB used if that). I opened up the case, and carefully touched the drive. It was ice cold, and it was not making any grinding noises like it has since the day I bought it (refurbished from Newegg). I decided it must have frozen and attempted a hard reset.

Obviously that was a very bad Idea. I had to figure out how to unlock my HDD so I could get Windows back on it again. Which took way to long to get figured out. Anyway I finally did. And started trying to re-install Windows 8 via the DVD. It would not let me format the drive, and had a message saying the drive was bad Windows can not install on it. After trying every fix I could find. I finally managed to clear the drive via the command prompt. And eventually get Windows 8 back on the machine. Now If I try to boot with out the Windows 8 DVD in my disk drive it tells me there is 'No OS installed" or found or something along those lines. If I put the disk in, it will go to a black screen saying press any key to boot from DVD. If I press anything it will take me to the Windows 8 installer. If I leave it alone and press nothing, it boots right up perfectly.

SORRY FOR THE LENGTHY POST, JUST WANTED TO GIVE THE BACK STORY, HERE IS THE MAIN QUESTION
So basically, what do I need to do to get Windows 8 to boot from the HDD, with out the DVD. I have not really tried anything, as I have no idea where to start. The HDD is listed in my BIOS as the primary boot device(I guess it could have got changed some how idk, but it should be the primary device). It also may be worth noting that the PC runs great. I had a few Blue Screens, following the latest W8 update from Microsoft, they became more frequant leading up to the episode I described above. But, not one since. It honestly runs like a brand new machine, which it is aside from the drive being a few months older then the rest of the machine. My only guess would be the boot files on the drive are either missing, or corrupted. But, I have no idea how to either find that out, or fix it, if that's even a possibility at this point. I do not have the money right now to buy a new drive or I would simply do that. If the fix requires me to lose data I really do not care that much. I have anything important backed up on a stash full of flash drives. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and if anyone needs any additional info I will be more then happy to provide it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
Wow, that really is a wall of text lol. I am sorry once again for being so "wordy". I just wanted to give the most thorough description of what happened, and what is going on that I could. Hope it doesn't scare off any potential help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
Personally, if it were me, I would try another hard drive. You've had several indications that something is not quite kosher with the hard drive (a windows warning, can't feel or hear the drive spinning, could not format). As far as the disk being "reconditioned" that might be the reason someone else sent it back. What kind of warranty is on the drive. I will buy a "used" hard drive over a reconditioned one any day, in fact I've bought many off Ebay. Would you believe that not one of them has been bad.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Personally, if it were me, I would try another hard drive. You've had several indications that something is not quite kosher with the hard drive (a windows warning, can't feel or hear the drive spinning, could not format). As far as the disk being "reconditioned" that might be the reason someone else sent it back. What kind of warranty is on the drive. I will buy a "used" hard drive over a reconditioned one any day, in fact I've bought many off Ebay. Would you believe that not one of them has been bad.

I have thought of trying another drive. The only one I currently have is in an old HP machine. And for some amazing reason they decided to bolt the drive to the case not only from the normal spots, on the side where you can remove the panel and reach the screws. But, also on the other side. I have tried, and tried to get the other side off to no avail.

My current drive's warranty has ran out I believe. I got it from Newegg, so I might send them a message and see if they may be able to offer an RMA or something. I guess my main issue is, I think it was some sort of software error(maybe related to the random blue screens I was having prior to the CHKDSK disaster and some corrupted files or something idk). But, aside from the lack of booting without the DVD the drive runs fine atm. I also have not received any further warnings about it failing.

TY, for the reply though. No matter what I plan on getting a new on in a few months when money is not so tight anymore.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
Hi there
Can you boot from a USB --if so look at creating a bootable USB stick from the windows install disk. I've experienced a rogue machine or two that won't install from the DVD but when doing the install from a USB stick everything worked just fine.

Don't ask me what the problem was --I've no idea but the USB solution just worked fine.

(Your BIOS will tell you if you can boot from a USB device -- most if not all do these days. However if your computer is a few years old INSERT the USB stick in BEFORE getting into the BIOS as sometimes the boot from USB option in the BIOS will only be shown if the computer recognizes the USB stick when you power on the computer).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there
Can you boot from a USB --if so look at creating a bootable USB stick from the windows install disk. I've experienced a rogue machine or two that won't install from the DVD but when doing the install from a USB stick everything worked just fine.

Don't ask me what the problem was --I've no idea but the USB solution just worked fine.

(Your BIOS will tell you if you can boot from a USB device -- most if not all do these days. However if your computer is a few years old INSERT the USB stick in BEFORE getting into the BIOS as sometimes the boot from USB option in the BIOS will only be shown if the computer recognizes the USB stick when you power on the computer).

Cheers
jimbo

Yea that worked. Also it didn't give me any strange errors like booting from the CD was. Just goes straight into Windows. TY.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
I've had both XP and Windows 7 do this a lot of times, and Windows 8 once - It's your master boot record.

If there is no "FixMBR" and then "Fixboot" commands in Windows 8, well, I don't remember if there are. I had to use Partition Wizard, it has a "Rebuild MBR" function, after you do that, you have to use the Win 8 Install disk to do an automatic repair. I've done this once with Windows 8. I just don't remember if the FixMBR command is still there.
 

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've had both XP and Windows 7 do this a lot of times, and Windows 8 once - It's your master boot record.

If there is no "FixMBR" and then "Fixboot" commands in Windows 8, well, I don't remember if there are. I had to use Partition Wizard, it has a "Rebuild MBR" function, after you do that, you have to use the Win 8 Install disk to do an automatic repair. I've done this once with Windows 8. I just don't remember if the FixMBR command is still there.

I was thinking of running the repair from the Windows 8 disk. I just am a little nervous of it messing something up. And like I said in my previous post the PC seems to be running perfect. Its just the boot issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
This issue wil not "be repaired" using Automatic Repair - Not in Windows 7 OR 8 - The Master Boot Record MUST be rebuilt. Try to do it through the Install disk - get to a command prompt, CD to the X Drive, and try "FixMBR" - If the command is no longer there, there MAY be an Equivalent to it for Windows 7/8 - Let me look.

YES - name has been changed, to BOOTREC:

Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

Try this, let me know if it does anything.
 

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.
This issue wil not "be repaired" using Automatic Repair - Not in Windows 7 OR 8 - The Master Boot Record MUST be rebuilt. Try to do it through the Install disk - get to a command prompt, CD to the X Drive, and try "FixMBR" - If the command is no longer there, there MAY be an Equivalent to it for Windows 7/8 - Let me look.

YES - name has been changed, to BOOTREC:

Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

Try this, let me know if it does anything.
Got it working TY very much.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit OEM
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me, Intel Machine.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3350P
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (timing 8-8-8-24, Cas 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 650ti
    Sound Card
    VIA VT2021 (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VH242H(primary) ASUS VS Series VS197D(secondary)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080(primary) 1366x768(secondary)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500630NS
    PSU
    TopPower - 800W non-modular (Lesson Learned)
    Case
    NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel
    Cooling
    Air, 4 case fans.
    Keyboard
    RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate, Wired Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9x Black 5700dpi (best mouse I have ever owned next to my old Logitech G500)
    Internet Speed
    5.22Mbps Down, 1.05Mbps Up
    Browser
    Chrome 90% of the time. FireFox on occasion, and if I am forced IE.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    This was my first true build from scratch.The PC was built with gaming, and multi-tasking in mind. I tried to get the best parts I could get for under $1,000. The Keyboard was a gift, and the HDD was one I had bought for my old machine. The entire build came out right around $900. Only regret is I didn't get an SSD
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