Dual Boot Win7/8 - Win8 Goes To Black After Install

Original Post:

I've recently installed a dual boot, Windows 7 and Windows 8. The installation went fine but then after a very short time my Windows 8 Screen goes black. I had to press the power button to exit.

I've checked the Power settings and ensured the "Turn off display" was "never". I also updated my Video drivers thinking that might be the problem. Both to no avail. I've done a "Refresh" and a "Reset (which took 3 hrs). Again, all was fine for a short time, but while exploring the OS, again the black screen. Would anyone know what else I could try to fix this Windows 8 problem. Thanks so much.
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I posted the above question about two months or so ago and received suggestions (thank you everyone) which I followed... re-formatting the hard drive during the new installation, trying generic video drivers and doing Resets and Refreshes. None of that worked and still doesn't. The installations do complete as before, but I don't have enough time to download new updates to perhaps correct whatever problem(s) there are before all goes black after a few minutes. As I stated before I have to hold down the power button to exit.

If this is a clue, once the screen goes black and I revert back to Window7, before loading, the File System on ALL drives, including C and the Windows 8 partition has to check for consistency before Windows 7 boots up.

I've been quite busy and haven't had a chance to try re-installing again until now. Thinking the problem might have been the actual drive I used for previous attempts (it was a SATA external drive which by the way I previously used for a dual boot Vista/with Win7), I then created new partitions on 2 different USB connected external drives and attempted to install. It wouldn't do the install on either one. I received messages "Setup does not support disks connected through USB or Firewire,.... my USB drives are connected directly to computer not a hub. So I'm forced to use the SATA created partitions for the installations. (Disk 1)

NOTE: if it makes a difference, through Disk Management, I've deleted the Windows 8 installs from those partitions then re-created a "New Simple Volume" before trying again. I even tried creating another partition on C but it wouldn't allow an installation saying it was a dynamic drive. Prior to me creating that additional C partition all were Primary but now they're all Simple Volumes as per the color codes.

I have two OEM Windows 8 installation disks, I've tried both. HELP! I don't know what else to try as I can't imagine what the problem could be. Thank you!

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Hello leelord,

I see you took your own advice and started a unique thread with lots of detail in your lead-in post; however, my first question is "what the heck is all that?" and my second question is "where are the Win 7 and Win 8 installations located (specifically)?" Please understand that I may not be the primary person to help you unravel this mystery; however, I think I might be able to pull a bit more information out of you so it might entice the proper guru to offer a response to your issue.

Yes I thought I'd re-post and see what additional information I might obtain regarding my unique problem I realize my post is a bit wordy and long but I wanted to ensure I got in as much detail as possible. My Windows 7 is on the C partition of course and I've been trying to install Windows 8 on one of the external SATA drive partitions, the J partition specifically, the only drive (drive 1) that will allow me to do so. As I stated before the other drives are USB connected so I get the message that installs are not allowed. (Is that normal) that since my my other physical drives are USB that the system won't allow installations on them? As you can see Drive 0, my computer internal HDD partitions are all Dynamic. The M partition is the one I created to try to install Windows 8, but again no because it's Dynamic. Again thank you very much for the help.

OK. Now I get it but unfortunately I cannot recommend a fix; however there are better minds than mine at work in this forum so here's hoping they will respond. However, I am a bit concerned that you commented in your previous thread that the installation was being rejected because it though you were connected to a USB port; yes? Well, from what I have read, an e-sata port is described as a "sata/usb" hybrid connection so maybe that has something to do with it? Anyway, there is more on this topic here:

Want to install Windows 8 on Portable hard drive - Microsoft Community

Good luck.

leelord said:

As you can see Drive 0, my computer internal HDD partitions are all Dynamic. The M partition is the one I created to try to install Windows 8, but again no because it's Dynamic.

Click to expand...

Why did you go with a Dynamic drive.

Partition or Volume - Create New - Windows 7 Help Forums

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5349-windows-8-go-setup-usb-flash-drive-usb-disk.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/14108-windows-go-create-windows-8-enterprise.html

JustATest...thanks for the links. That Bracket Cable and the Enclosure is a possibility and one I that I was unaware of or even knew existed. As for where it states eSata being a sata/sub, previously though I had Vista/Win7 as a dual boot on that eSata drive which now I'm attempting to install Win7/8 on. Thanks again for all of your help!!!!

Theog.. thank you too for your imput. I think this is exactly how my C partitions became Dynamic. When i created that additional partition to install Windows 8 on, no doubt that message appeared but I was in too much of a hurry to read thinking it was a standard pop-uo so I suffered the consequences. Since then I've been able to change them back to basic partitions, without losing data, using EaseUS' Free Partition Master. I'll try to create another install partition on C but if I get that message I'll definitely say NO. Thanks again.

Theog, can't he rebuild the MBR after converting to Dynamic? He can't fix the MBR with Easeus but he could using Partition Wizard 7.x, I've done it.

I'd test that on a system that didn't matter first, I've made a new MBR for XP, 8 would be a different matter, he'd have to run Bootrec afterward. It was because I could not use the Windows XP install CD to get to the recovery area, because it was on a SATA card that had no Windows XP drivers. I could not run FIXMBR and FIXBOOT, so I did it with Partition Wizard.

It's just an idea.

XwepeonX I'm not an expert by any means on this but why would I have to rebuild the MBR? Remember I've already converted my C drive, which was Dynamic, back to basic. As for rebuilding the MBR, actually I did that one time in XP as well through DOS I believe with those commands you mentioned. I also have Partition Wizard 8 but mainly to ensure if I can't get into my computer I can boot up with the rescue disk to my partitions.

My original problem/post was that I have yet to install Windows8 properly. No partition is allowing me to do so except for the external eSata drive partitions, Drive1 in Disk Management. Once installed my screen goes to black and my only option is to exit via the power button. Other drives are USB connected. That's why I initially created that additional partition on C and inadvertently changed all the partitions to Dynamic.

XweAponX said:

Theog, can't he rebuild the MBR after converting to Dynamic? He can't fix the MBR with Easeus but he could using Partition Wizard 7.x, I've done it.

I'd test that on a system that didn't matter first, I've made a new MBR for XP, 8 would be a different matter, he'd have to run Bootrec afterward. It was because I could not use the Windows XP install CD to get to the recovery area, because it was on a SATA card that had no Windows XP drivers. I could not run FIXMBR and FIXBOOT, so I did it with Partition Wizard.

It's just an idea.

Click to expand...

OP would need to go back to 3 or 4 Primary partitions only,

Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk - Windows 7 Help Forums


& delete M: partition, D: Recovery, HP Tools, use that space to install Windows 8.

leelord said:

XweAponX I'm not an expert by any means on this but why would I have to rebuild the MBR? Remember I've already converted my C drive, which was Dynamic, back to basic.

Click to expand...

I've lost MBR after conversion functions, and I had to fix using either FIXMBR or FIXBOOT on XP, in Windows 7 and 8 it is more difficult. But if you converted your system drive, and it boots, then I'd say you didn't encounter the problem Theog mentioned. So the partitions are all normal now?

However, your original post, does your system go to a black screen after booting up? Can you pull up Task Manager by hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del? If so, open a command prompt and run SLMGR.vbs /DLV - Your activation may have failed. This has happened to me twice.

Yes after conversion I can boot up with no problem and all seems fine on my Windows7 partitions. Thanks for the Ctrl-Alt-Del suggestion which I'll try. I believe it was Theog that suggested that before. My problem previously was that the screen went to black before I had a chance to do anything. Everything seems fine for about a minute. I'll give it another shot and let you know. I've been busy and haven't had a chance to do a Win8 re-install. Thanks again.

Yah, sometimes when you move a system to a new hard drive, it has to be re-activated. The Black Screen with working Task Manager is evidence of a bad activation, I originally saw it when I first installed Windows 8 and I had used a bad program to activate it. I removed the bad program and activated it legitimately and it has never gone black screen on me since. So SLMGR.vbs /dlv will at least tell you the status of your activation.

If the activation comes up OK, and you still get a black screen o deth, you can stick an install disk into the drive and open Task Manager and browse to the SETUP file on the Installation Disk. Then you can do an in-place install. It's what I had to do when I had the black screen of death.

I prefer In-Place install over any "refresh" operations, because it will keep your system in the same state that it was before problems occurred.

Thanks again for the information. I have yet had time to try a re-install but it appears that perhaps the no activation might have been my problem all along. I'll definitely try the SLMGR.vbs /DLV to check the status. If it's not activated I'll activate it through Windows 8 (how can I find activation quickly while in Windows8?) Normally I have a short window until all goes to black. Maybe Charm bar then "search" for activation? Just a thought.

If I am activated you mentioned sticking in the install disk and going to setup through task manager, then doing an in-place install. I do this while still in the black screen? There's an option to physically get to the installation disk in task manager? I think I'm missing something here and may feel stupid when you tell me but would you please describe the procedure in doing an in-place install which I'm totally unfamiliar with. I think I'm going to be embarrassed here. Thanks so much!

If it is indeed an activation issue, you'll have to use a Phone activation.

Yah, if you can pull up Task Manager and browse, you can run "Setup.exe" from the install disk, or, just type in the location of the setup command in "Run". Actually I think you'll have to do an In-Place install anyway, just to get the activator to show up. If the key fails, use the phone activation and they should give you a new key. If it's a core version, it should activate itself.

Thanks... you mean doing a Ctrl-Alt-Del > task manager from the black screen while in Windows8? If so, I'll get to the setup. If all fails and I'm not activated do you by chance know the Microsoft number to call for activation? Anyway I'll do SLMGR.vsb /DLV first. If it tells me I'm activated then it's another problem I assume.... and still do an in-place setup?

The number should be in the activation screen when you choose "Phone Activation". Yah, you'll have to do an In-Place install. I think you can do it from SLMGR.vbs /ato, try that. You may need to insert your key.

Thanks again... I've been traveling... and have to go to Canada tomorrow. I'll try this when I return next week. One question... you said in your last message I may have to insert the key when I do the in-place install. This is the new key I get from MS?

No, use any key you have. You don't have the key saved anywhere? It's the first thing I do, I use Aida64 to show me the full key and then I copy it and save it.

You can use SLMGR.vbs /dlv to see if you have a key at all, it will return a partial key.

Thanks... yes I have my original key. I was just curious if I could use that key or would have a use a new one I would get from MS if a new one was needed. You said that I can use SMLGR.vbs /DLV to see at least a partial key... I was under the impression that that command was to see my activation status? Activated, not activated.

I'm no longer home but on my way out of the country for a few days. I'll attempt this when I return next week and let you know. Thanks again.

Thanks too for Aida64, I'll check that out. Good to have.

Ok, bump the trhead when you get back and we'll try to figure this out. I'm curious as to the results when you try SLMGR /dlv