Solved Unable to use built-in ASUS recovery partition

[Qub1]

Hey everyone

Alright, so my ASUS laptop has been getting a little slow lately, so I decided to reinstall. Now I know my PC has an ASUS recovery partition, which reïnstalls the pc with all the tools, drivers etc, since I've used it before.
But now when I restart the computer and press F9 and reset, it doesn't work. This is what I do:






This is where it was supposed to give me the option to restore whole drive or just install windows to the primary partition. But now it asks for a CD, which I don't have. This PC never used to have a recovery CD, just a recovery partition.

Then, I read somewhere I could do the same from inside Windows 8, so I tried that as well by going to the charms bar, then Settings and then "Change PC settings". Then I selected "Update and recovery" from the left, and then went to Recovery, where I pressed the button to remove everything and reinstall windows. This is what I got:


So, I tried to see if EaseUs Partition manager showed the recovery partition. I started ASUS and these are the partitions it found:


I saw it found both a "Recovery" partition and a "Restore" partition. Now I assume the Recovery partition is the one Windows 8 boots into, and the Restore partition is the one created by ASUS. So, these are the contents of the Recovery partition:


And these are the contents of the Restore partition:


As you can see outlined in red, it does contain an install.wim file, so I know the recovery data is there. However the Windows 8 recovery environment just isn't able to find it.

So I'm lost here. Does anyone have an idea on what I could do to make the recovery partition work again? If any system information is needed, I'll be happy to provide.
Thank you very much in advance!

PS: If this is in the wrong category, I'm sorry, I couldn't find one related to recovery so I decided to place it in here

 

[alphanumeric]

Have you repartitioned that drive in any way since you got it? If yes, that likely broke the link to the factory recovery partition. All your left with now is the basic refresh reset options that ask for your install media. It sounds like Windows can only see the small windows recovery partition. I don't know the answer though as to how you make use of it now.

 

[Qub1]

Thanks for your reply

Yes I did, the laptop came with a C and D partition, one for the OS and programs and another for my DATA. I've resized my D partition a couple of times, and I've recently merged my C and D partitions as I've purchased an external drive.

I guess that could have messed up the recovery, however it didn't get wiped, the partition is still there and it seems to be intact. Isn't there any way I can point windows to the right partition?

I've also found the command "reagentc", which is supposed to allow you to edit the Windows Recovery Environment settings, however it constantly returns an error 3 whenever I try to use it. However it does have an argument that allows you to point windows to where the install.wim file is located, which is "reagentc /setosimage", however I do not know how to point it to a hidden partition such as the "Restore" partition.

 

[alphanumeric]

Your right, its not wiped. Its just that the factory link to it is missing. I would think it may be still usable but I have no experience with the commands you mentioned. You'll just have to wait for an IT type guy to chime in.

 

[Qub1]

Alright, well anyway thanks for the help. I think I'll have to wait since I'm not looking forward to the process of installing all my drivers manually.

 

[theog]

Is this a OEM manufacturer's PC with Pre-installed Windows 8 or 8.1?

If Windows 8, have you updated to Windows 8.1.

 

[Qub1]

Yes the PC came pre-installed with Windows 8. I've recently updated to Windows 8.1, and I've read somewhere that Windows 8.1 might wipe the ability to recover, although I'm not sure about that, or how to fix it. So could that be the problem?

 

[theog]

A Windows 8.1 RESET/REFRESH will not use a Windows 8 Recovery Partition.

 

[Qub1]

Okay, so what do you suggest me to do? I'm really lost here, I have no idea how to fix it. Otherwise I suppose I'll just have to contact support.

 

[theog]

You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the ASUS OEM manufacturer's website.
http://us.estore.asus.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2860
http://us.estore.asus.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=5189

https://serviceshop.asus.com/

 

[Qub1]

I've thought about that, but since they are $50 and I have a perfectly good recovery image sitting right there I really think it would be a waste of money. But, I suppose if I can't get the partition to work I'll have to.

 

[genet]

Note: If you have an ASUS computer, then you should use the Asus Backtracker utility.

Note: How to fix the error message: "Could not find the recovery environment", if the ID for the recovery partition type is incorrectly set to OEM or Primary. -> link

> OPTION ONE <

If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and you updated to Windows 8.1, then when you refresh or reset Windows, it will reinstall Windows 8 from hard drive recovery partition (recovery image location) or from the recovery USB flash drive. Afterwards, you will need to update to Windows 8.1 via the Store again.

Note: Sometimes it happens that after doing the upgrade to Windows 8.1, refresh and reset does not work anymore. Note: But all should be okay if you receive the following screen (see screenshot below) when you select: PC settings > Update and recovery > Recovery > click on the Get started button under the Refresh your PC without affecting your files section.

Note the following text: Go to the Windows Store to reinstall Windows 8.1 and your apps.



> OPTION TWO <

If you don't have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and you updated Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, then when you refresh or reset Windows, it will reinstall Windows 8.1, but only if you have Windows 8.1 USB/DVD installation media.

Note: You must insert Windows 8.1 USB/DVD installation media. See this link: How to download Windows 8.1 installation media.

If you don't insert any installation media or if you insert Windows 8 USB/DVD installation media, then you receive the following error message: "Insert Media. Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files." (see screenshot below).



reagentc /info

Here is info about reagentc /info and the new 350 MB or 450 MB recovery partition, if you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and updated to Windows 8.1.

Windows 8 (before Windows 8.1 update)

Partition 1 - Recovery - 1000 MB - Windows RE location
Partition 2 - System - 260 MB
Partition 3 - OEM - 1000 MB - OEM partition does not exist in all OEM computers.
Partition 4 - Reserved - 128 MB - Note: This partition not visible within Disk Management.
Partition 5 - Primary - 908 GB
Partition 6 - Recovery - 20 GB - Recovery image location

reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:
Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition1\Recovery\WindowsRE
Recovery image location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition6\OKRbackup\factory







Windows 8.1 (after Windows 8.1 update from the Windows Store)

Partition 1 - Recovery - 1000 MB
Partition 2 - System - 260 MB
Partition 3 - OEM - 1000 MB - OEM partition does not exist in all OEM computers.
Partition 4 - Reserved - 128 MB - Note: This partition not visible within Disk Management.
Partition 5 - Primary - 908 GB
Partition 6 - Recovery - 350 MB or 450 MB - Windows RE location Note: This is a new partition.
Partition 7 - Recovery - 20 GB - Recovery image location

reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:
Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition6\Recovery\WindowsRE
Recovery image location: GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition7\OKRbackup\factory







Note: If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled, you may not use the third-party partition software (for example, EaseUS Partition Master), because modifying the hard drive partition structure usually break the factory restore feature. But if you use Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition (see screenshots below), then refresh and reset should work, even if you have the 350 MB or 450 MB recovery partition after the C: partition.

EDIT: This program does not break the factory restore feature: http://www.disk-partition.com/free-partition-manager.html











Note that reset does not remove your personal files, if you move your personal files off the C: partition to another partition. When the "Your PC has more than one drive. Do you want to remove all files from all drives?" screen appears, select the option "Only the drive where Windows is installed" (see screenshots below).









Note: Before upgrade to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store, you do not need to install all Windows 8 updates from Windows Update. You only need to install KB2871389 update, then you’ll be able to install the Windows 8.1 update via the Windows Store. Download and install KB2871389 update from link or from Windows Update.

KB2871389 (direct download link)
- All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...5E-794177982162/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x86.msu
- All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...49-140AB1CF7B5F/Windows8-RT-KB2871389-x64.msu

But if you've opened the Windows Store and you don't see the Windows 8.1 update, then you will need to also install KB2917499 update.

Other instructions.

- Installing using UEFI boot mode or Legacy BIOS boot mode. -> link
- How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

 

[Qub1]

Thank you for your answer

I've already tried refreshing as well, and this produces the same error message as the one in my first post.
However I'll look into the information you provided, and I'll report here if I find anything to fix my problem.

 

[Saltgrass]

Could you open and administrative command prompt and type the following command. Attach the results if your next post.

reagentc /info

If it still errors, you may need to add a drive letter to the Restore partition using Diskpart and then use that as a path to the image.

There is a possibility the merging of the two partitions may have changed the partition designation for the Restore partition.

 

[Qub1]

The command still failed, with the following output:


Also, I've already tried to assign a drive letter, however on the Recovery partition, the partition manager won't let me do anything. As you can see, the right click menu for that partition is completely blank:


Also what would be the command for diskpart to assign a drive letter? I've used it before but I'm afraid I'll mess up my MBR again (as I did that as well last time). Thanks in advance!

 

[SIW2]

You will need to change the partition ID . 0x07 ntfs is likely the right one to go for.

Have a look at it with the (unregisterd) PGURU PRO. It doesn't have quite as many features as the registered version , but is very useful.

Data recovery, partition management and disk utilities - Eassos PartitionGuru


If you can find the original 8.0 winre.wim you may be able to register it as the reimage and the install.wim on your recov partition as the osimage.

See if you get any luck with reagentc /DISABLE.

( I wouldn't worry too much about the MBR, that disk is gpt partitioned.)

 

[alphanumeric]

You will need to change the partition ID . 0x07 ntfs is likely the right one to go for.

Have a look at it with the (unregisterd) PGURU PRO. It doesn't have quite as many features as the registered version , but is very useful.

If you can find the original 8.0 winre.wim you may be able to register that as the reimage and the install.wim on your recov partition as the osimage

See if you get any luck with reagentc /DISABLE. .

I was hoping you would show up. :thumb: I was just about to PM you with a link to this thread and a could you please have a look.

 

[SIW2]

LOL. Right on cue.

 

[Qub1]

You will need to change the partition ID . 0x07 ntfs is likely the right one to go for.

Have a look at it with the (unregisterd) PGURU PRO. It doesn't have quite as many features as the registered version , but is very useful.

Data recovery, partition management and disk utilities - Eassos PartitionGuru


If you can find the original 8.0 winre.wim you may be able to register it as the reimage and the install.wim on your recov partition as the osimage.

See if you get any luck with reagentc /DISABLE.

( I wouldn't worry too much about the MBR, that disk is gpt partitioned.)

I found this page, which has an ISO file of Windows 8.1 (legit) which should allow you to try it out but which should also contain the winre.wim file in \Windows\system32\Recovery: Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise x86 and x64 iso file - Windows Blue full

So if I download that, where should I go from there? Also reagentc /DISABLE outputs this:


If that doesn't work I'll try the program you mentioned.

By the way, thanks for all the help, I really do appreciate it

 

[SIW2]

The 8.1 ent trial is no use to you.

You need 8.0. There are links to 8.0 ent trial , but it means d/l the whole thing and extracting winre from the big install.wim.

Much easier for you to have a look with pgpro and see if there is a folder on the 300mb partition called Recovery\WindowsRE. Good chance 8.0 winre.wim will still be hiding out in there.

Here is what it looks like :



( EDIT - I just saw the 350mb partition in your screenie. That is where 8.1 winre.wim should be. )

You may be able fix reagent by replacing the .xml files with templates. Check where everything is first.