Solved Cannot boot computer in either standard or safe mode

N

Nodracol

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My PC will not boot up. An error message occurs a few moments into the boot process " We're just collecting some error info and then we'll restart you." Th PC then disconnects and restarts and after a few few moments the same error message occurs. Have left if for 3 hrs and it is definitely stuck in a loop.

I've tried using Shift F8 and other function keys to get to a safe boot menu option but nothing works. I can get to the bios set up screen but that's all.

The problem started after I was doing a system restore to the previous day (so it should have been fairly quick) and after several hours it seemed to be getting nowhere. I eventually had to pull the plug and hope for the best! And now I'm really stuck.:(

Can anyone tell me how to get the thing started again.

My PC is an Acer Aspire 5600U
 
I think your Mbr got damaged. Solution is to start from the windows dvd, go to advanced options and try automatic repair option. If that doesn't work try the refresh. If that doesn't work either go to the DOS window. There are several options possible to get the mbr working again. Google mbr restore because I don't know them out of the blue. Let me know I if they worked, meanwhile I well check the commands as well and post them unless somebody else posts them before me.
 
Try a refresh.

How do a Refresh:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html

Refresh.PNG
 
If only I had a Windows 8 DVD. The PC came fully intalled and with not Windows 8 DVDS. This surprised me at the time, but I just assumed this was normal for these new All-in-one PCs. I'm kinda reluctant to buy one having spent just under a grand on this in the first place. If that's the only option then obviously I will.

Is there any way of doing it without the Windows DVD?
 
Last edited:
D/l the enterprise trial iso. Burn it to dvd . Boot it up and select repair options from that.

Use the same bit version as you had installed (I would guess you have 64 bit) . It is quite big.

When you have got back into w 8 - make sure you run off the manufacturer recovery dvd/usb. They must have provided a gui for doing that.

Windows 8 Enterprise Trial x64
 
You can try a windows 7 rescue usb stock but you need to google for a Howe to. You need to get into the DOS mode. If you didn't get a CD there might be a rescue copy on a small partition on your hdd. Check your manual for any references on that. Not sure if it will do a full reinstall or if the rescue options will become available so a rescue usb sounds like the best option.
 
Once in the DOSs box do this
BCDboot c:/windows /s c: /l en-us
That worked like a charm for me
 
Thanks SIW2 and others. I'm downloading the trail version as suggested. It's going to be slow since I have had to resurrect my 10yr old XP machine. Previous posts were on a netbook with no DVD drive. Will leave running overnight and sort out in the morning.

Cheers guys. Will let you know how I get on.
 
Nodracol said:
If only I had a Windows 8 DVD. The PC came fully intalled and with not Windows 8 DVDS. This surprised me at the time, but I just assumed this was normal for these new All-in-one PCs. I'm kinda reluctant to buy one having spent just under a grand on this in the first place. If that's the only option then obviously I will.

Is there any way of doing it without the Windows DVD?
Click to expand...
What kind of recovery system did your manufacturer provide you? A restore partition? A recommendation to make a system recovery or system repair dvd?
 
Nodracol said:
Thanks SIW2 and others. I'm downloading the trail version as suggested. It's going to be slow since I have had to resurrect my 10yr old XP machine. Previous posts were on a netbook with no DVD drive. Will leave running overnight and sort out in the morning.

Cheers guys. Will let you know how I get on.
Click to expand...
I think you are moving in a logical direction. If automatic repair does not work, then don't forget what others suggested you try via disk above. Also, there is a chance that things are more serious than they may appear. This thread deals with an endless loop (not your) and what the OP did to get his data back. I attempted to link you at about the point his solution began to develop seriously. But, you might want to go back to the start of the thread if you end up with very serious data recovery issues--as he did. Hopefully, your data are well backed up. For future reference, check out my sig.
 
easyq said:
Once in the DOSs box do this
BCDboot c:/windows /s c: /l en-us
That worked like a charm for me
Click to expand...
Ten days ago, I upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 8 ("What are you waiting for"-email from Microsoft).

Within 6 days, I needed to refresh Windows 8 twice because of some crashes. After the second time "refresh", and reinstalling numerous updates for Win8, I turned the computer off. Next morning, after I successfully got the my Desktop screen, a message popped up saying, that my “Outlook driver had some errors and I needed to restart computer”. After I restarted my computer, Windows went through “Scanning hard drive and repairing” process.

Suddenly, I got a message that Windows could not repair the errors and will be automatically restored to a previous state. After about 40 minutes, I got a message that Windows could not be restored to a previous state. I got an option to go Advanced Options.

Several times, I've tried and failed to refresh or reset my Windows 8. I even tried to run chkdsk in MS-DOS. It failed with a note, saying something about “could not transfer log ...50”. Sorry, I don't remember the exact words.

I tried to repair my Windows 8 by using USB Flash Drive, but got a message saying that my hard-drive is locked. Over-the-phone Microsoft technicians could not help me.

I decided to do a “clean-install” of Windows 8 on the same computer that had Win8 installed.

I got a message, saying something “Windows cannot be installed on GPT drive, only on MBR”.

I needed to reformat my hard drive – to loose everything – and only then, I was able to reinstall Windows 8.
 
Reply to znod - I think the recommendation was a restore partition, because no discs came with the PC. I've used system restore many times before on WIndows 7 and previous and this is the first time it has hung on me. I'm still trying to download the free trial enterprise ISO file but the downloads however stop after about an hour or two and report "unknown network error". I'm trying for the 4th time at the moment. I'm beginning to wish I never got a new computer!
 
I've finally made a DVD from the link above and made it work. I've also found that everything is still all in one piece with no loss of data. My last challenge was to make a recovery disc about which I could find no reference to in the control panel or the Apps. Thanks to an online search I discovered that there is an app called Recdisc hidden somewhere in the system which you can get at using the Windows key and q and then searching for Recdisc. How isomeone is supposed to find this I don't know. Anyway all's well that ends well.

To all who helped me in this thread - Thanks a million

I'm left wondering why it so complicated. It seems that as Windows evolves to look more and more like Apple's, Microsoft seem to make it more and more difficult for the user to find howe how to do things - no instructions, no operating manual and no useful help function (which is also like Apple). Where would we be without guys like you helping us out. Thanks again
 
The iso you d/l ed is the trial install version. You can use the repair options from it with no limitation.

For those who got their machine with w8 pre installed, the oem must have included some way of running off reinstall media.
 
Acer used to do it like this.
See if that or similar is on your machine

Step 1

Insert a blank CD or DVD into the Acer's optical drive.

Step 2

Click the Start menu, click "All Programs" and click "Acer Empowering Technology."

Step 3

Click on "Acer eRecovery Management." Create a password to protect the recovery disc, then create a hint to help you remember the password.

Step 4

Click on the "Burn Disc" button. Click "Create Factory Default Disc."

You won't have a start menu - unless you have installed a 3rd party one.

Hunt about as best you can and try to find Acers recovery disc creator program. It would be ridiculous if they haven't included something along those lines
 
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