Windows 8.1 hangs on many operations

garyoreilly12

New Member
Messages
8
I have a Windows 8 machine with Windows 8.1 upgrade.

On my operations such as restarting and shutting down it hangs and does nothing (I understand this a common problem but I have tried 3 solutions I found on the internet and none of them worked.) I still have to turn off my computor by holding the power button......

It isn't just shutting down however. Often when I try to open a program I have downloaded from the internet (the latest example being a driver scanner) nothing happens.

To try and fix these issues, I attempted to refresh Windows 8. Again it did nothing. After clicking the Get Started button it just hung on Preparing. I only left it for about 20 minutes, I thought something would have happened by then. The same is true for reinstalling Windows.

I'd be grateful for any help, thank you
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
I looked at your system specs and all I see is OS Windows 8. We need information on your whole system. Like make, model, how much RAM, etc. Whatever the form requests. Is Windows 8/8.1 the core or Pro version? How old is the machine, and is it still in warranty?

This information will help us to help you solve your problem.

I have updated three machines from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, all of which were the core version. I have Windows 8 Pro on my laptop, but haven't updated it yet. I haven't encountered your problem on any of these machines, although I did have other problems with my first install of 8.1 on this system. Which it not to say you don't have the problem.

I am assuming you bought your system with Windows 8 preinstalled. I'm also assuming you went to the Microsoft Store to update to Windows 8.1. Correct me if I'm wrong.

There are lots of helpful people here, but they need information before they can help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hi, thanks for the reply.

I have updated my system specs as much as I can.

The laptop came with Windows 8 and then I upgraded it to Windows 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
I have to say I don't like driver scanner program from the internet , maybe you got a bit of a bug from this program or others like it that you may have downloaded from the internet .if it were mine I would start with a full scan with malwarebytes to check for nasties you may have picked up from the internet . how to download use free malwarebytes in link below
How to use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to scan and remove malware from your computer

and yes update you system specs is a VG idea
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
I have used Malewarebytes program on an previous laptop and it was good. I will run it now and see if anything turns up

thanks for reply
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
I have used Malewarebytes program on an previous laptop and it was good. I will run it now and see if anything turns up

thanks for reply
your welcome hope it helps with your issue
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Hi, thanks for the reply.

I have updated my system specs as much as I can.

The laptop came with Windows 8 and then I upgraded it to Windows 8.1.

You're very welcome . . .

How old is the laptop and is it still in Warranty? The reason I ask is that like me, you may have to send the laptop for repair if we can't solve your problem here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The laptop is only about 4 months old and within warranty. I'm sure the issue is with the software, not the hardware though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
i would backup my data (documents ,pictures ,music ect ect ) and restore laptop to factory setup
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
i would backup my data (documents ,pictures ,music ect ect ) and restore laptop to factory setup

I ran malewarebytes and it picked up a few bugs. It didn't rectify the problem however, I still cannot restart my computor.

I believe restoring it to factory settings must be the best way to sort this out. Thank you
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
i would backup my data (documents ,pictures ,music ect ect ) and restore laptop to factory setup

I ran malewarebytes and it picked up a few bugs. It didn't rectify the problem however, I still cannot restart my computor.

I believe restoring it to factory settings must be the best way to sort this out. Thank you

You're right, Gary. Restore to factory settings is best. Once there, if it works, reinstall Windows 8.1 through the Microsoft Store.

However, if restoring to factory settings doesn't work (I don't know why it didn't work for me), don't waste any more time on it. Bite the bullet and send it back to Acer for Factory restoration. After you back up all of your data! When it comes back from Acer, it should be in the pristine condition it was in when you bought it and you'll have to set it up all over again.

Oh, and BTW, have you created the Restore Disks yet? That will be your first job. Although, it's most likely there's a restore partition on your computer that you'll be able to use without the disks.

And another caveat . . . Neither worked with this system, so be prepared for the worst, which will be sending it back to Acer for repair.

Final bit of advice: As someone said, you probably picked up some bugs off the Internet; so be careful where you go and only go to sites you know to be safe.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes, I attempted to restore to factory settings.

After trying to refresh the PC is says the drive where Windows is installed is locked. UNlock the drive to try again

And after trying to set the PC it says unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
Yes, I attempted to restore to factory settings.

After trying to refresh the PC is says the drive where Windows is installed is locked. UNlock the drive to try again

And after trying to set the PC it says unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing.

Oh, crap, that's what I was afraid of, Gary. I went to the tutorials and can't find anything referring to locking or unlocking a drive where Windows is installed.

The fact that your laptop won't allow you to recover to factory specs makes me wonder about a theory that's been running around in the back of my mind; when you update to Windows 8.1, do you need to create a new Restore disk? I haven't checked this out, since my computer is working fine with Windows 8.1, but maybe I should? Although, in the past (Windows 7), Windows has only allowed one set of recovery disks to be created for my laptops.

Another question is how many times has this happened to those who've updated to Windows 8.1?

Looks to me like you should contact Acer and start the warranty process. Unless someone smarter than me can offer a better solution.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
thanks for the reply Wynona, I'd never heard of this forum before today, but you're a nice bunch!

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...dows-8-hard-drive-locked-can-t-refresh-8.html

here is a thread from this very forum which I am going through slowly.

Many people on that thread had similar problems, some had solved them, but as there were many different OS's involved and different levels of IT expertise, I don't think there is a universal solution. Let alone an easy one.

I read somewhere about the computer locking after 5 forced shutdowns, which I did before even thinking about it I reckon.

Anyway......lol. I'll give that thread a finish now I've had some coffee
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-QM
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Hard Drives
    500 GB
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