Can't restore Windows 8 64-bit

[Beast100]

No worries thanks Wynona.
And yeh my laptop is an Asus, and I've still got it with me over the weekend so if there's anything I can try I'm up for it.
Otherwise on Monday I should be getting it sent off.

 

[theog]

I'm running a Windows 8 recovery disc off of a USB

Do you see this screen?

 

[Beast100]

Hi Theog,
Nah mate I don't see the "OEM recovery solutions" only the other three options.
And if I go into the refresh or reset option, it says to "choose an operating system" but there is not a selection available.
Same if I go into Advanced options, I have the cmd prompt but the other options don't work (restore, etc).

 

[theog]

This is why you should always make OEM Recovery disks.

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the ASUS OEM manufacturer's website.
Essentio Recovery Software

 

[Beast100]

Alright fellas out of my hands now. Just sent the laptop away.
For the record, Post #21 is the state the laptop ended up in.

See what the outcome is over the next few weeks, I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Thanks for everyone's help. I'll definitely be floating around here more often once I get it returned fixed, be awesome to learn more what I can about the OS.

 

[fallen]

I was reading thru this thread and had a question that those more expert than me might be able to answer:

Beast100 reset his UEFI to disable so he could boot from his USB drive, then later tried following the directions to re-install (the system was still set with UEFI in disable) - should he have tried to enable UEFI, then follow the directions? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the UEFI setting makes a difference (or it's the mind playing tricks on an old man)......

Thanks,
Frank

 

[Beast100]

Hi Fallen,
Yeah mate if you mean the settings I initially changed in the BIOS to get my USB to boot, those were simply what I had changed as I put in the first post in this thread.

The entire time after I had these issues with the laptop I thought these settings may have had something to do with the results I was getting, however I am far from experienced enough to confirm that (I don't even know what UEFI means haha).

But before I did the system restore from the cmd prompt in safe mode, I did revert the settings back to boot normally.

 

[Beast100]

Alright all, I'm BACK!
Recieved my laptop back a few hours ago, so I've just started installing some programs and getting it personalized again.

Okay so, now that it's been completely reset:

1. What should I make so next time the recovery process should be a bit smoother.
Something about OEM recovery disks or something, backups? any help would be great!

2. I'll also be looking to install Linux on my laptop (Asus R501V) if possible.

3. I've just looked at how my drives have been partitioned:
OS (C: ) 279GB
Data (D: ) 398GB
Why is Data so big? It was like that previously but I'm just wondering. And I'm good to install onto that drive aren't I?

Thanks.

 

[Wynona]

Alright all, I'm BACK!

Welcome back, Mr. Beast!

Recieved my laptop back a few hours ago, so I've just started installing some programs and getting it personalized again.

I do hope your experience was better than mine! I got mine back without the hard drive connected and Win 8 had not been properly installed; I was told I had to buy a new key to get going again! After giving the nice man from India a hard time; he was really a great guy, we did a recovery and I was good to go. Seems as how all the HP repairman did was to change out the hard drive without hooking it up . . .

1. What should I make so next time the recovery process should be a bit smoother.
Something about OEM recovery disks or something, backups? any help would be great!

2. I'll also be looking to install Linux on my laptop (Asus R501V) if possible.

3. I've just looked at how my drives have been partitioned:
OS (C: ) 279GB
Data (D: ) 398GB
Why is Data so big? It was like that previously but I'm just wondering. And I'm good to install onto that drive aren't I?

Thanks.

You should have received a manual with your laptop when you bought it. Instructions on making a set of recovery DVDs should be in there. However, most of the guys and gals use the free version of Macrium to make an image of their computers.

If you want to create the disk in Windows, run your mouse down to the bottom left of your screen and you'll see your "start screen" button. Click on that and then start to type: create a recovery . . . Nothing will happen or you'll be told Windows doesn't have an app for that, so you slide your mouse up to the top right and click on "settings" and among other things, "Create a Recovery Disk" will pop up. Follow the yellow brick road . . .

It would seem to me that you can split the Data disk up into two 200 GB (or thereabouts) drives and put Linux on one of the partitions. Just guessing here, since I haven't attempted a dual boot with an already pre-installed Windows 8.

I got my dual boot 'structions from howtogeek.com (almost as useful as these eight forums and tutorials). They have instructions on dual booting with different flavors of Linux. I keep saying I'm gonna try it one of these days . . .

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html
​

You can make a Microsoft Recovery USB Drive
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

   Warning

Deleting the Recovery Partition is NOT RECOMMENDED​

   Warning

I personally DO NOT RECOMMEND using this METHOD above, as of the ERRORS you may receive below with the Microsoft Recovery USB Drive.You would be best off using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or Recovery USB drive.

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
You can order the Microsoft official HP/Compaq OEM Recovery disks from the HP/Compaq OEM manufacturer's website.
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc...dlc=en&lc=en&os=4132&product=5309543&sw_lang=




The Windows Recovery USB drive & Recovery Partition can be very problematic, I recommend you also make a Windows System Image.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...overy-restore-image-computer-windows-8-a.html

or
look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft.

 

[Wynona]

   Information

I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.
You can order the Microsoft official HP/Compaq OEM Recovery disks from the HP/Compaq OEM manufacturer's website.
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc...dlc=en&lc=en&os=4132&product=5309543&sw_lang=

The Windows Recovery USB drive & Recovery Partition can be very problematic, I recommend you also make a Windows System Image.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...overy-restore-image-computer-windows-8-a.html

or
look for a 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft.

   Information

Thank you very much, Theo. Much better info than I gave. And very good information to put into my "notebook" on Windows 8 and 8.1 which I'm not going to install yet. I think I'm going to wait until the bugs are worked out first.

 

[theog]

The only 3rd party ,Backup software, which fully supports Windows 8/8.1, uEFI, GPT & Secure Boot.
Which is signed by Microsoft.

That I know of at this time is
Paragon 14, Out November 2013.
Hard Disk Manager Suite ? complete system management | PARAGON Software Group - disk partitioning, resize partition
or
SSR Desktop Edition, Out Febebery 2014.
PC Backup Software | Symantec

 

[Beast100]

Cheers for the help guys.
I'm going to buy some DVD-R (or +R)??? discs tomorrow, and then start looking at creating these recovery discs, burn system images, etc.
I'm also currently attempting to install an older version of Linux onto my old Windows 7 laptop, so I can get a feel of the general process.

I also noticed Asus hasn't supplied I guess a program or whatever to use to create the OEM recovery discs on my laptop...?

After I've put together the discs for Windows 8 and the current system and I'm okay with it, then that will be I suppose the end of the thread

 

[Beast100]

Okay all, I was going to make a new thread but thought I may aswell keep this post in here, for future reference.

1. I've been researching what discs to create (with theog's recommendations in post #50), going to buy some DVD+R's tomorrow and create and follow these:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...overy-restore-image-computer-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html

My question is - I've seen it mentioned to "Create OEM recovery discs."
However, Asus (as far as I can see on my laptop) has not provided a recovery disk program as such.
Even in the manual it states to use "AI Recovery Burner," which I don't have. ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Troubleshooting A53E
Will creating at least one of the discs from the above links/guides cover this problem in the future [Eg. work the same as what the "OEM recovery disc" would have been (if that makes sense)]?

Could I also go (As Wynona mentioned in post #49) to "Create a system recovery drive," and follow that through, or is this something different? (Like I said, My Computer only shows the (OS) C: and (Data)D: drives) So with that said - 2. Should there already be a "Recovery" partition shown, or is that what this option is for?
And after all of this I'll look to split the 400GB Data drive as that one has nothing in it for Linux later on.
Edit: Upon further reading, I'm supposed to shrink the C: with the OS on it for Linux?

If it helps, I've attached a screenshot from inside "Disk Management."

Thanks!!

 

[Wynona]

Beast, you already have a recovery partition, which is the "600 MB Healthy (Recovery Partition). I don't know how this recovery partition works, but maybe someone else can explain it to us.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't create a "recovery drive" on the computer itself . . . it would be useless if, for instance, you couldn't boot the computer. I suggested in post 49 that you "might" be able to use part of "D" for your Linux installation. You'll have to get clear and concise instructions on how to do this, as I said. Also, this is a completely different animal than recovery.

Forget everything I said about recovery and follow Theo's instructions; that's your best route.

Y'know, maybe you should start a thread (or search for one) on partitioning your hard drive for Linux.

 

[theog]

ASUS now have a recovery .app



http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/32122-create-factory-restore-disc.html#post286310

Update: I e-mailed ASUS support and they gave me a Windows program to do it. Thanks!

http://www.asus.com/supportonly/ASUS_Backtracker/#support_Download_36

Using the Support DVD to restore system recovery.

About the Support DVD :
The Support DVD includes an image of the operating system, installed on your system at the factory.

 

[theog]

Beast, you already have a recovery partition, which is the "600 MB Healthy (Recovery Partition). I don't know how this recovery partition works, but maybe someone else can explain it to us.

This tutorial will cover most of the options:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html

 

[Beast100]

THIS IS INSANE!!!!!!!
I was on my laptop fine an hour ago working on it. Then I shut it down to come back home and I've turned it back on, it does some windows update or whatever and now says:
"Configuring Windoes features
100% complete
Do not turn off your computer"
It's been sitting here for at least 30mins and of course I've turned it off and on again but it goes to this EXACT screen.

Edit: okay whilst I was typing this on my iPhone it has just logged in. Is there ANY reasons why these updates take so long and put my stress levels into overdrive...?

 

[Onlyafrika]

 

[DustSailor]

^ Welcome mate,

It is usually recommended to start a new thread, because otherwise the problem gets mucked up by all previous posts.

As you've said, Kaspersky may be giving you issues. If you would like an alternative AV program, try Defender (built-in) or Avast!.
:note:NOTE! you have to first completely remove all previous antivirus products before installing new ones. To remove Kaspersky, you might give this tool a try after manually removing it in control panel: Service articles

If you would prefer to keep Kaspersky, that is fine, but this person doesn't recommend that particular antivirus product based off of what I've heard others say about it. It works for some, but not others (can also cause crashes here or there).

Let us know if you encounter any other issues by starting a new thread in the appropriate forum. Cheers!