Re-installing windows 8 after removing it

shawna

New Member
Messages
4
Hello,

I am new to this so I'm not sure I am posting to the right place. I created a very lengthy post explaining how I got myself into the position I am now. I gave as much detail as possible only to find out that I "wasn't signed in" and it only auto-saved the first few sentences. So I am going to go straight to the point and can provide any additional information that may be needed.

Long story short: My laptop came with windows 8 pre-installed. I hated it, but was slowly able to make some changes I could live with. Except when I hit a point of my internet speed and windows it'self being so slow that I began a mission to fix it myself. What I did and how was in the post I originally wrote. Anyhow I messed my computer up several times in the process and finally restored to factory settings. Also a challenge due to my original "configurations". I started over, saving restore points along the way each time before I was going to make the next change. Then, without my permission or ability to stop it, my computer decided to upgrade to 8.1. Which I hate even more! All my restore points were gone and I couldn't go back to windows 8, I create a recovery on a USB when I first reset windows 8, but I was so pissed off at windows by this point that I had a friend completely remove it and install Linux Ubuntu 14.01. I started having trouble with it shortly after. Being unfamiliar with it I hadn't made any changes to it.

Now the big problem I am having: I tried to re-install windows from my "recovery" USB, not only did it not work, but neither is Ubuntu anymore. Can anyone PLEASE help?! I am at a total loss as to where to even begin but am willing to try anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g7
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Motherboard
    HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC
    Memory
    Physical Memory: 4GB,
    Graphics Card(s)
    Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    Audio Device X 2 AMD High Definition Audio Device IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Hard Drives
    Hard Disk: Hitachi HTS547564A9E384 SATA Disk Device (596.2GB)
    Keyboard
    Keyboard: Standard PS/2 Keyboard Keyboard: USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
    Mouse
    Mouse: HID-compliant mouse Mouse: Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Comcast "blast"
    Browser
    google
    Other Info
    Linksys 1200+ AC EA63350 wireless router
    Network Adapter
    Ethernet - Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi - Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi 4 - Linksys WUSB6300 (Connected)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit
Welcome to Eight Forums.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...reinstalling-windonws-8-usb-2.html#post368623

How to install Windows 8 to a blank hard drive from the Windows 8 recovery USB flash drive.

- You do not need to change the boot order of drives in your computer's UEFI firmware (BIOS).
- You do not need to disable Secure Boot in your computer's UEFI firmware (BIOS).
- Connect your Windows 8 recovery USB flash drive.
- Restart the computer.
- Press the correct key to enter the boot menu (see this link for help).
- Select your USB flash drive from the boot menu.
- Select your language and keyboard layout (if displayed).
- Select the "Troubleshoot" option.
- Select the Reset your PC option.

When you see the question "Do you want to repartition the drives on your PC? All your files will be removed." (see screenshot below), click on "Yes, repartition the drives".



But if you receive the following error message: "Unable to reset your PC. A required drive partition is missing." or "Unable to reset your PC. The system drive cannot be found.", then the Windows 8 recovery USB flash drive is not able to automatically install Windows 8 to a blank hard drive.



 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
So I went into the boot screen and tried all of the options, I think. And I chose at least one of the recovery options. Now it will at least start loading, and show the screen that says administrator & welcome. But then it "restarts". At some point it tells me the restoration was incomplete. It opens a command prompt: Administrator Windows [Version 6.2.9200] and x:\windows\system32>

The details are listed on CTOERROR.flg-Notepad
ChkErrBB.CMD : Detect some errors during PININST_BBV.
ChkErrBB.CMD : Check c:\system.sav\log\BurnBootWarn.log
ChkErrBB.CDM : or, check c:\system.sav\logs\BurnBootMerge.log
Critical error condition was detected at BBV1
Refer the following files if exists.
-c:\system.sav\Log\BurnBootWarn.log
-c:\system.sav\Log\BurnBoot.log
Switch to 2ndCap's WinPe and show [RecoveryManager]'s Incomplete dialog.
because RM's dialog can't appear on [Start] screen on Win 8 environment.
customer may not notice RM already shows Error dialog.
there might be unexpected reboot during BBV Clean or last...
The process will cause CTO panic because the image might not be normal....

I imagine, but not sure, that the Lynx system is still in my computer. I was going to try to wipe the hard drive, and try again from there, but am unsure how to do it and if it was even something I should do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g7
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Motherboard
    HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC
    Memory
    Physical Memory: 4GB,
    Graphics Card(s)
    Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    Audio Device X 2 AMD High Definition Audio Device IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Hard Drives
    Hard Disk: Hitachi HTS547564A9E384 SATA Disk Device (596.2GB)
    Keyboard
    Keyboard: Standard PS/2 Keyboard Keyboard: USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
    Mouse
    Mouse: HID-compliant mouse Mouse: Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Comcast "blast"
    Browser
    google
    Other Info
    Linksys 1200+ AC EA63350 wireless router
    Network Adapter
    Ethernet - Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi - Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi 4 - Linksys WUSB6300 (Connected)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit
Also, I think I may be missing something on the recovery USB. I keep hearing about partitions as well, but not sure how that works or where it's at. I do have the product key, thanks to the program I downloaded call Windows 8 Manager. I don't know if that helps or not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g7
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Motherboard
    HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC
    Memory
    Physical Memory: 4GB,
    Graphics Card(s)
    Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    Audio Device X 2 AMD High Definition Audio Device IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Hard Drives
    Hard Disk: Hitachi HTS547564A9E384 SATA Disk Device (596.2GB)
    Keyboard
    Keyboard: Standard PS/2 Keyboard Keyboard: USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
    Mouse
    Mouse: HID-compliant mouse Mouse: Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Comcast "blast"
    Browser
    google
    Other Info
    Linksys 1200+ AC EA63350 wireless router
    Network Adapter
    Ethernet - Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi - Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi 4 - Linksys WUSB6300 (Connected)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit
You cannot download the Windows 8 installation media from Microsoft, because you have Windows 8 OEM product key.

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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Thank you genet

But now, after reading about the windows recovery USB's not containing the install.wim image file, which mine didn't, I tried to follow the instructions and got past most of the issues I was having, but it then it wasn't able to complete because it was missing some sort of scripts.
So I do have a couple other questions.

1rst: If I took a screen shot of what files are on my recovery USB, would you be willing to look at it and see if maybe you notice what may be wrong, or direct me to where I may be able to find the answer? I bought a 32GB USB to create this recovery and it took 21.4 GB of that space, so I thought it was what I needed.

2nd: I created this recovery USB so that I would have windows 8 backed up should I ever need to re-install it. I totally crashed my computer a couple times from trying to tweak it myself, so I knew I better make one once it was finally up and running properly again. I guess it falls under the category of know just enough to be dangerous. And following you-tube videos. Totally my bad, but hey, I learned a lot LOL
Anyhow, I am I really stuck with having to install windows 8.1? My computer came with windows 8 installed, with the free upgrade whenever I wanted of course, and that is what I was using when I created the USB. If so, I really don't want to waist anymore of your time, as I hated 8.1 more than 8. But I do appreciate all the help so far!

Also, if it helps I have a copy of every bit of information about my computer, from the hardware to the software and everything in between. I can also posts those as I copied all of that too just in case I ever needed it if that would help. It lists all the categories and sub categories.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion g7
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
    Motherboard
    HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC
    Memory
    Physical Memory: 4GB,
    Graphics Card(s)
    Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    Audio Device X 2 AMD High Definition Audio Device IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor
    Hard Drives
    Hard Disk: Hitachi HTS547564A9E384 SATA Disk Device (596.2GB)
    Keyboard
    Keyboard: Standard PS/2 Keyboard Keyboard: USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
    Mouse
    Mouse: HID-compliant mouse Mouse: Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    Comcast "blast"
    Browser
    google
    Other Info
    Linksys 1200+ AC EA63350 wireless router
    Network Adapter
    Ethernet - Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi - Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (Media disconnected)
    Wi-Fi 4 - Linksys WUSB6300 (Connected)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit
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
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
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