Locked out of SP3 and can't reload windows - need help

[SP3]

The company I was working for went out of business. I have a SP3 that was given to me but I don't have to give it back. I want to wipe it clean and restore it to factory settings, but I can't.

I have tried to create a USB boot disc but it wont boot from disc. I have started it up and entered the BIOS but can't get it to do anything to boot from USB. I am now getting a screen that says there are no Bitlocker resources available.

I have read every forum possible but no solution has worked. Now I can't even log back into it at all.

Can anyone help me? Can I create a startup disc on a portable hard drive? If so, how? I tried running RUFUS to create a boot disc but I can't figure out the .iso file to select it to create.

Pretty much at a loss.

Thanks.

 

[Ztruker]

See if you can do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ykegw1OFQg

 

[SP3]

Thanks Ztrucker but that doesn't work either. When I turn on my SP3 - a blue screen comes up and says: "RECOVERY – there are no more Bitlocker recovery options on your PC"

I have tried making a bootable USB drive - and it won't book from it. I have tried to hold do the "volume up" button with the "power" button to enter BIOS but it still wont' boot from USB.

I think Bitlocker is missing and I can't do anythign at this point.

 

[Ztruker]

Read here, see if it helps: https://social.technet.microsoft.co...locker-recovery-options?forum=w8itprosecurity

 

[SP3]

Thanks again Ztruker - I read that post too. I think the problem is Bitlocker. I have 2 other SP3s and I can get them to boot via USB. When I get into the BIOS, on either of my other 2, they have 4 options for booting - one of them being USB. When I try on my old work one, I only have the option to boot "Network>USB>SSD" or just "SSD".

I'm thinking it is Bitlocker that is keeping me from being able to boot in USB?

 

[DavidY]

I have tried to create a USB boot disc but it wont boot from disc. I have started it up and entered the BIOS but can't get it to do anything to boot from USB. I am now getting a screen that says there are no Bitlocker resources available.

How did you create the USB Boot Disc? I'm wondering if you created one which will boot on older machines but not new ones which boot in UEFI mode.
Option 1 in this Tutorial is probably what I would use, to ensure that you end up with a Windows install disc which is bootable from a UEFI machine (and could then be used to repair the machine as well as install Windows).
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

Do you know your Bitlocker Recovery Key? If not, and if you logged into the SP3 with a Microsoft Account, then the Bitlocker Recovery key might be saved here in the onedrive for that account:
https://onedrive.live.com/recoverykey

With any luck that should enable you to use the solution in the Technet link which Ztruker posted.

 

[SP3]

Thanks David. I went to a Microsoft store today and they didn't have any solution for me as to why the option for USB isn't available. See the 2 picture. One is from my everyday SP3, the other is from the work one. You'll notice the options are different. The blue screen is what it says when I power up the SP3.

I will read the tutorial and get back to you guys! I appreciate you taking the time to help.

 

[SP3]

I used a software called RUFUS to create the USB. I don't think it's a USB problem. It's the fact that the option to boot from USB is missing.

Any chance either of you know how I can boot from the network? I have not done that before.

 

[DavidY]

I used a software called RUFUS to create the USB. I don't think it's a USB problem.

So will the USB boot up the other SP3? (Or on some other computer which came from the OEM with Windows 8 or later.)

I believe RUFUS can create a UEFI-bootable USB, but you need to get the options right (it's not something I've used much so I don't know how to do that). Using the Microsoft Media Creation tool (as in the tutorial) is a simple way to ensure the USB is UEFI-bootable.

The ordering Network -> USB -> SSD should still boot from the USB if there isn't a network source (must admit I don't know how to boot from that), so I'm still thinking the USB isn't right yet.

 

[SP3]

Thanks David. I found another thread where I learned of RUFUS. I followed it step-by-step and didn't have any success. I'll try another USB stick and give it another shot.

Are you familiar with Bitlocker at all?

Lastly - to boot from the USB, I just need to put it in and hit power button with the volume up, correct?

 

[SP3]

David,

I did try to boot my other SP3 via USB - no luck. Looks like I might need to get some other USB drives to try. I'll report back after I get some others loaded and give them a shot.

 

[DavidY]

David,

I did try to boot my other SP3 via USB - no luck. Looks like I might need to get some other USB drives to try. I'll report back after I get some others loaded and give them a shot.

Thanks for trying that. I actually think it's a good result because it's a pointer to the USB itself being why it didn't boot, which should be fixable.

I still suggest using the Media Creation tool (rather than RUFUS) to burn the appropriate edition of Windows 8.1 onto a USB, as it should boot reliably.

Are you familiar with Bitlocker at all?

Hmm - a little bit. I think you may still need your recovery key though - without that it can be a problem.

 

[SP3]

Yeah - the recovery key. Wont ever get it. My old company is shut down and now one is there to help out! That's why I'm afraid this may be futile in the end! Bitlocker will keep the data safe, but I dont know if it will keep me from erasing and starting fresh.

Anyway - i'm off to go buy some USB drives now. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again David!

 

[DavidY]

Yeah - the recovery key. Wont ever get it. My old company is shut down and now one is there to help out! That's why I'm afraid this may be futile in the end! Bitlocker will keep the data safe, but I dont know if it will keep me from erasing and starting fresh.

If it was a personal computer with an MS account, then the recovery key would be automatically stored in the Onedrive of the Microsoft Account used to login. But if it had some sort of corporate build on it, they may have done it differently. I take it that MS Accounts weren't used to login?

I think wiping should be possible - that's perhaps another reason to burn the Windows installer onto the USB.

 

[SP3]

That's exactly it. My other SP3s were personal and I have the key for each of them. It's this one that I don't. I got sidetracked and didn't make it to get new USBs. Tomorrow, we continue....

 

[sp4]

I cant get it to boot usb.

Yeah - the recovery key. Wont ever get it. My old company is shut down and now one is there to help out! That's why I'm afraid this may be futile in the end! Bitlocker will keep the data safe, but I dont know if it will keep me from erasing and starting fresh.

If it was a personal computer with an MS account, then the recovery key would be automatically stored in the Onedrive of the Microsoft Account used to login. But if it had some sort of corporate build on it, they may have done it differently. I take it that MS Accounts weren't used to login?

I think wiping should be possible - that's perhaps another reason to burn the Windows installer onto the USB.