My system started pausing/freezing, log files showing some errors about not finding some *.dll files. The system will still boot; I enabled the administrator account, but have lost the original user profile. All the docs/files are still there in the usual c:\users\username\... directories. Installed Seagate's SEATOOLS app and it reported a failure, not completing the process. I used the recovery app from Acer and created a bootable recovery device (Seagate expansion portable drive) and a CD of drivers and apps. I am told this system has a small SSD, but it is hidden because it is for the OS, Win8.
I've put an identical replacement drive in; I changed bios to boot from the external USB device and it comes up in what appears to be recovery mode. I select option to completely refresh system, but it then comes up with "drive where windows is installed is locked". I select the reset option, it asks whether I want to re-partition. If I select yes, it returns 'unable to reset pc system drive cannot be found'. If I select no to repartition, it returns 'unable to reset. A required drive partition is missing.'
Using the recovery app, I can get to command prompt; it comes up as windows ver 6.2.9200, x:\windows\system32, The c:\ dir<enter> command returns efi (D), bootmgr, boot (D), bootmgr.efs and sources (D). I insert another usb stick and those files show up correctly.
Also, a byproduct of installing drive it indicates it can't find a battery now!
Any suggestions as to why the reset or recovery options are not able to see the replacement drive? Since I used a Seagate expansion portable drive rather than a 16gb USB drive, is that the problem? I believe Win8 won't allow the use of a DVD for the recovery process (size issue?).
Could I consider doing a reformat and clean install of Win7 pro? Will I need to change the boot bios setting from UEFI to legacy? Would I still be able to reinstall Win8 at some point in the future if necessary, or should I try to work with the Win8 configuration?
Thanks for your assistance.
Tom
I've put an identical replacement drive in; I changed bios to boot from the external USB device and it comes up in what appears to be recovery mode. I select option to completely refresh system, but it then comes up with "drive where windows is installed is locked". I select the reset option, it asks whether I want to re-partition. If I select yes, it returns 'unable to reset pc system drive cannot be found'. If I select no to repartition, it returns 'unable to reset. A required drive partition is missing.'
Using the recovery app, I can get to command prompt; it comes up as windows ver 6.2.9200, x:\windows\system32, The c:\ dir<enter> command returns efi (D), bootmgr, boot (D), bootmgr.efs and sources (D). I insert another usb stick and those files show up correctly.
Also, a byproduct of installing drive it indicates it can't find a battery now!
Any suggestions as to why the reset or recovery options are not able to see the replacement drive? Since I used a Seagate expansion portable drive rather than a 16gb USB drive, is that the problem? I believe Win8 won't allow the use of a DVD for the recovery process (size issue?).
Could I consider doing a reformat and clean install of Win7 pro? Will I need to change the boot bios setting from UEFI to legacy? Would I still be able to reinstall Win8 at some point in the future if necessary, or should I try to work with the Win8 configuration?
Thanks for your assistance.
Tom
My Computer
System One
-
- OS
- W8
- Computer type
- Laptop
- System Manufacturer/Model
- Acer Aspire M5-581T
- CPU
- Intel Core i5-3337U
- Memory
- 6gb
- Graphics Card(s)
- Intel HD Graphics 4000
- Monitor(s) Displays
- 15.6 widescreen 1366 x 768
- Screen Resolution
- 1366 x 768
- Hard Drives
- Seagate 500gb, 20gb SSD
- Browser
- Chrome