Refresh problems"The drive where windows is installed is l

leeelson

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This is a new thread. The original problem had to do with Windows Defender and is described here:
http://www.eightforums.com/system-security/22913-windows-defender-error-3.html#post322698

Now I'm trying to do a refresh from my CD and get the message:"The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again". Currently, I'm unable to boot in any mode (safe, etc) and can only get a command prompt.

Any help is appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M14x-R2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
http://www.eightforums.com/system-security/22913-windows-defender-error-2.html#post322205

Brink said:
If you mean refreshing Windows 8, then be sure to back up anything that you do not want to lose first to be safe. After a refresh, you would need to reinstall all desktop programs.

Did you backup?

Is this a Notebook Pre-installed with Windows 8?

Not sure what "backup" means. I make daily backups of nearly all files. I'm unable to access windows at all, so no other backup is possible. This is a Dell Alienware that came with Windows 7. It was upgraded to 8, then 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M14x-R2
My 8 cd is in the slot.

A Windows 8 Repair CD/DVD/USB will no work for Windows 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Download the Windows 8.1 ISO & a DVD/USB & use as a Windows 8.1 Repair disk.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

How to download Windows 8.1 ISO with a Windows 8 key.
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html

All of these options seem to require having Windows running on the machine that will have the ISO applied. Correct? The only machine I have running windows is a desktop running XP. I see no way to make an 8.1 ISO. Also, my 8.0 and Windows 7 (original) failed to do a repair.

UPDATE: Attempting a reset with the Win 8 CD tells me a required partition is missing. I'm guessing that my problems are due to an incompatibility between 8.0 and 8.1. Can I create a new partition that has 8.0 and use it to fix my 8.1 installation?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M14x-R2
Download the Windows 8.1 ISO & a DVD/USB & use as a Windows 8.1 Repair disk.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

How to download Windows 8.1 ISO with a Windows 8 key.
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html

All of these options seem to require having Windows running on the machine that will have the ISO applied. Correct? The only machine I have running windows is a desktop running XP. I see no way to make an 8.1 ISO. Also, my 8.0 and Windows 7 (original) failed to do a repair.

UPDATE: Attempting a reset with the Win 8 CD tells me a required partition is missing. I'm guessing that my problems are due to an incompatibility between 8.0 and 8.1. Can I create a new partition that has 8.0 and use it to fix my 8.1 installation?

My 8 cd is in the slot.

A Windows 8 Repair CD/DVD/USB will no work for Windows 8.1.

Also the Windows 7 disk will not work with Windows 8.

Use the Windows 8.1 disk, than all the Windows 8.1 Repair tools will work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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