Solved 40 Minute Boot Windows 8.1 x64 Fresh Install

DaemeonZane

New Member
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I recently went from Windows 7x64 to Windows 8.1 x64 using the Media Creation Tool offered by MS. I did a clean install after converting all my disks to GPT (I use a UEFI setup [see system specs]), and it went well, albeit a little slowly.
After messing around with it, installing only the latest chipset and graphics drivers from AMD, I rebooted.
Since then, every time I reboot I'm looking at anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes just for boot time. Once I get a login, I have to let the system settle for a little bit before I actually do anything with it, or I'll get a hangup that never recovers (so far it seems random) until I reset the PC.
I have tried updating my BIOS (fresh from AsusTek), tethering my phone and attempting to pull updates (which fail. Windows never seems to quite make the connection, though all other internet functions are normal), as well as using msconfig to do a minimal boot.
Booting to Safe Mode is also next to impossible. I've been waiting for almost half an hour with not even so much as the usual Windows splash/startup screen.
Right now I'm using HD Tune Pro to rule out any HDD failure, but initial testing shown no issues. At this point I'm ready to format and install Ubuntu and be done with it, but I do need Windows, unfortunately, and Windows 8.1 preferably.

To summarize my troubleshooting so far:
1) attempted to format all disks and do another fresh install. Converted all attached HDD's to GPT and booted through UEFI.
2) Tested HDDs and RAM using HD Tune Pro and Memtest+. All checked out within normal operating parameters.
3) Tried removing all attached peripherals except my monitor.
4) Attempted clean boot via msconfig; Safe Mode took 14476 seconds to boot, according to BootRacer. No effect.
5) SFC /scannow found no errors.
6) Used install media to boot command prompt andused the command line defrag function, as well as chkdsk. No errors were found to correct, and defrag found nothing to defrag.
7) Uninstalled ALL software and drivers that were non-essential. No effect.
8) Installed plenty of coffee and vaped for hours, scratching my head at what seems to me to be the most difficult install ever. Also, reached out to you all for what I hope to be some very fruitful help.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Frankenstein [Custom PC]
    CPU
    AMD A4-5300
    Motherboard
    AMD F2A85-M
    Memory
    12 GB ddr 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7970 3GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Using HD Audio with GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Avol 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS (500GB GPT) (Boot)
    WDC WD6400AAKS (640GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    Hitachi HTS545016B9A300 (160GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    PSU
    1000w Bronze Rated
    Cooling
    2 240mm fans top mount, 1 240mm fan side, 1 120mm fan front
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    No internet
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    None installed at this time
For added information: I am using an app called Clockworkmod Tether, to bypass WiFi tethering on my phone and utilize USB tethering. This requires a Tap-Win32 connection. I've seen other folks who have had issues with these, so I removed all traces of it, to no avail.
Furthermore, activation receives the error: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. (Error code: 0x8007007B)
Attempting to update, I get this one:
WindowsUpdate_dt000+OR+8024402F
I've attempted to manipulate the settings, and even tried switching to the generic install key from the MSDN website, to absolutely no avail/ If I didn't have to have Windows 8.1 on here in the first place (long story that involves an irate but insistent customer and a lot of stress), I would format, install Ubuntu, put up a Win7 VM for games, and be done with it. I've never met, in 20 years of working on computers, a more stubborn and contrary install as this one.
:mad:

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Frankenstein [Custom PC]
    CPU
    AMD A4-5300
    Motherboard
    AMD F2A85-M
    Memory
    12 GB ddr 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7970 3GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Using HD Audio with GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Avol 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS (500GB GPT) (Boot)
    WDC WD6400AAKS (640GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    Hitachi HTS545016B9A300 (160GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    PSU
    1000w Bronze Rated
    Cooling
    2 240mm fans top mount, 1 240mm fan side, 1 120mm fan front
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    No internet
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    None installed at this time
I decided to try a BIOS flash one more time, followed by a reset of the pc with fresh install media. It's been rolling since 10am CST and is currently 60% done.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Frankenstein [Custom PC]
    CPU
    AMD A4-5300
    Motherboard
    AMD F2A85-M
    Memory
    12 GB ddr 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7970 3GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Using HD Audio with GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Avol 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS (500GB GPT) (Boot)
    WDC WD6400AAKS (640GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    Hitachi HTS545016B9A300 (160GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    PSU
    1000w Bronze Rated
    Cooling
    2 240mm fans top mount, 1 240mm fan side, 1 120mm fan front
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    No internet
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    None installed at this time
When you select RESET - be sure to select keep this PC

or you go into a government wipe of your HDD and it takes many HOURS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
It's complete. I chose not to keep the PC as I feared perhaps something lingering would continue to give me grief. Thus far, the boot issue seems to have resolved itself, though activation and updates continue to fail.
Activation still receives the error: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. (Error code: 0x8007007B)
With updates, I still get: 8024402F
A new symptom has also presented itself as well: I am no longer able to add an MS account to the PC. Though not entirely troublesome, it does somewhat limit the functionality of Windows, to say the least. Still, the activation and update errors are most pressing, as I refuse to release a half-working PC.

At this point, though, the boot issue seems to likely be a driver issue, either with the chipset drivers for this device or the GPU drivers. I've not installed either one and my boot is actually around 5-15 seconds, which, comparatively speaking, is astounding.

Any advice on those two errors, keeping in mind the troubleshooting already done?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Frankenstein [Custom PC]
    CPU
    AMD A4-5300
    Motherboard
    AMD F2A85-M
    Memory
    12 GB ddr 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7970 3GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Using HD Audio with GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Avol 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS (500GB GPT) (Boot)
    WDC WD6400AAKS (640GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    Hitachi HTS545016B9A300 (160GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    PSU
    1000w Bronze Rated
    Cooling
    2 240mm fans top mount, 1 240mm fan side, 1 120mm fan front
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    No internet
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    None installed at this time
Marking as solved as I have pinpointed the boot issue for this thread as a faulty Chipset driver or GPU
driver. Will open new thread in regards to the update issue, as it seems to be a separate issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Frankenstein [Custom PC]
    CPU
    AMD A4-5300
    Motherboard
    AMD F2A85-M
    Memory
    12 GB ddr 3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7970 3GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Using HD Audio with GPU
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Avol 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD5000AAKS (500GB GPT) (Boot)
    WDC WD6400AAKS (640GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    Hitachi HTS545016B9A300 (160GB GPT) (clean/no data)
    PSU
    1000w Bronze Rated
    Cooling
    2 240mm fans top mount, 1 240mm fan side, 1 120mm fan front
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    No internet
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    None installed at this time
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