Win 8.1 install failure(s)

I have a new laptop pre-loaded with Windows 8 single language and I have been trying to install Win 8.1
I have tried the install from the windows store AND the ISO file install....both have failed. I made sure that one of the windows updates was uninstalled (cant remember the kb, but it was an 8.1 update), I also turned off my AV as directed. Can someone PLEASE help.

Thanx.

Hi there
First things.

1) are you doing a Windows UPDATE or installing from new via a downloaded iso.
2) Is the machine set with UEFI BIOS.
3) GPT or MBR disks being used.

The answers to these questions will determine the possible causes of failure you have in installing W8.1.

To see if your machine is UEFI check the BIOS.

To see if a disk is GPT go into command mode and type DISKPART. then LIST DISK and you'll see a little asterix (*) against GPT disks as in my screenshot here.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo,

I've tried to go into the bios, but it doesn't go in. Supposed to pess F1 on start up but nothing.



Thanks

microsoft always recommends to install windows 8.1 from the store(by installing the upgrade related update) but many people prefer clean installation since it's still beta.so we would suggest you to do a clean install.now,when your clean installation failed, exactly what error did it show you.this would expand suggestions regarding the installation.for further info, have a look at the tutorial created by our admin brink.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

If you do a clean install of Windows 8.1, make sure you order your Recovery DVD's from OEM manufacturer.

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
Lenovo Support - Home (US)
Click on Parts & Accessories.

Isn't 8.1 Beta (at least early one) supposed to work only with English (US) version when upgrading and then the clean install is the only way.?

Hi there
It looks like you've got at least one GPT disk -- to get into the Bios it's usually something like DEL / F2 / F8 or whatever -- hit the relevant key as soon as you power on the machine. See the manual / google for BIOS for your machine type.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi J,

will try in a min. What exactly is EUFI and GPT? Sorry, don't know all the tech jargon.

Maxxbsj said:

Hi Jimbo,

I've tried to go into the bios, but it doesn't go in. Supposed to pess F1 on start up but nothing.

Click to expand...

Many have said that: gets fixed if you are really fast; the startup of BIOS usually has 0sec time delay so all key presses need to be instantly on boot when things are shown on screen.

View attachment 26126

Click to expand...

Yes it's UEFI because factory settings install the OS on disk0, which is GPT.

Still don't see where the OS is in the screenshot, but:
GPT on OS disk means UEFI boot.

Maxxbsj said:

Hi J,

will try in a min. What exactly is EUFI and GPT? Sorry, don't know all the tech jargon.

Click to expand...

Here is a wiki page about both... Unified Extensible Firmware Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But , basically , EUFI is a more modern hardware Operating System for booting up and controlling your PC architecture , if has big advantages over the older system (BIOS) , GPT is a newer way (supported by EUFI enabled motherboards) of partitioning/controlling hard disks.

Both of which remove some limitations from memory access limits on boot up and partition/disk sizes amongst other things.