Reinstalling Windows 8.1 Issues

[Chazhammer]

I've recently been running into issues with my PC, so I've decided that it would be appropriate to start fresh and just reinstall my entire OS. (Windows 8.1 64-bit). I downloaded a Windows 8.1 64-bit ISO and burned the ISO image to a DVD in order to use it on my PC, as I purchased the OS virtually and didn't receive an install disk. 

 

My issue here is that when I insert the DVD into my computer, no matter the boot priority order in my BIOS, I can't seem to get the installation media to work at all. I insert the disc and it prompts me to press any key to boot from optical drive, which I do, then the Windows 8 logo shows up in a lower resolution than normal, just for a moment. When the logo goes away (30 seconds to a minute), the screen goes black, and pressing keys doesn't do anything at all. I am still getting a signal to the monitor, as it is still on and lit up, but the computer is either unresponsive, or doesn't know what to do next. I then have to restart my computer in order for it to do anything else, but after several attempts, I get the same results.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated, and I am willing to provide more information if needed. I apologize if I left any important information out, so please do not hesitate to ask me questions so I can help you help me. 

Thank you, 

Chaz

[A.D.A.M]

-snip-

 

Does it work with USB by any chance

[Chazhammer]

Does it work with USB by any chance

I haven't tried using a USB drive for the boot disk, as I don't know how large it needs to be. I can try using a USB drive for the ISO tomorrow, but it's too late for me to try it tonight.

[A.D.A.M]

I haven't tried using a USB drive for the boot disk, as I don't know how large it needs to be. I can try using a USB drive for the ISO tomorrow, but it's too late for me to try it tonight.

4GB would be enough i think

[Chazhammer]

I created both 32 and 64 bit bootable USB drives just to be safe, but I don't even get an option to boot from anything other than my hard drives or dvd drive after multiple restarts.

Any other ideas anyone may have? I'm becoming frustrated ans am clueless as to what to do next. 

Why can't Windows 8 be as simple to boot in Safe Mode or LKGC like previous versions? I hate using this tablet and just want my PC back, whether i have my 3.2 TB of data or not. Starting from scratch is better than having a massive paperweight.

 

Thanks for any help, 

 

Chaz

[Chazhammer]

So I've made a 32 and 64-bit DVD to boot from, and neither of those work. It just turns to a black screen after the windows logo or attempts to repair one of the drives again, leading to the same issues as before.

No matter the bit version of the USB drive I make, which IS bootable, I don't even get an option to boot from USB device, no matter where it is plugged in.

I can't even get far enough to wipe the OS, so I don't know what I can do. This is becoming more and more frustrating every day, and it seems like there is nothing I can do about it at this point.

[LiamApex]

Hmm do you have safeboot on or fast boot also what are your specs and is the pc custom or a Hp, Dell etc

[LiamApex]

Ok i will just leave the info here here are some options to try

 

Take the side pannel off your pc and unplug the power next take out the watch battery on the motherboard now there should be a little blue/black/red jumper on the motherboard next to one pin unplug it and move it so it is along one wait ten seconds and moe it back now repower the pc after putting the watch battery in and try now if this does not work try unpluging the sata cables from the hdd finally if this does not work reset all motherboard settings to defult

[Chazhammer]

Hmm do you have safeboot on or fast boot also what are your specs and is the pc custom or a Hp, Dell etc

 

Custom, and no safe boot that I am aware of. My specs are listed under my profile information. I have had this computer for almost two years now, so I know all of the hardware is compatible, and I've had Windows 8 for nearly 6 months, so I know that's not the problem.

Ok i will just leave the info here here are some options to try

 

Take the side pannel off your pc and unplug the power next take out the watch battery on the motherboard now there should be a little blue/black/red jumper on the motherboard next to one pin unplug it and move it so it is along one wait ten seconds and moe it back now repower the pc after putting the watch battery in and try now if this does not work try unpluging the sata cables from the hdd finally if this does not work reset all motherboard settings to defult

The CMOS has been reset multiple times via the CMOS reset switch on my motherboard, as well as removing the battery.

I have unplugged all SATA cables before, as well as unplug the cables from my two storage drives, leaving only the SSD with the OS plugged in.

 

I've tried just about everything and have asked several people on different websites for help, but nothing has worked so far. I don't understand how it can be this difficult to reinstall and reformat my computer entirely. It's not like I'm trying to recover data beforehand, I just want my PC to be functional again.

[NumLock21]

I took a look at your PCPartsPicker list and notice you have Windows 8. Do you have Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 when you got this computer?

You mentioned, this OS was bought online. Where did you get it from and I assume you must have another computer to help you download it as the system you're working on now, didn't have a OS in the first place when you just build it.

If so, then go back to the system you download from and see if there is a install windows link on your desktop. Run that and it should let you recreate a new Disc or Bootable USB drive.

Downloading Windows 8.1 requires a Windows 8.1 key, it won't work with Windows 8 keys. Once it's done download it will also have those 2 options.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Click on the link based on the product key that you have. Then it it download, when it's done, you'll get the option of creating a DVD or bootable USB.

[Chazhammer]

I took a look at your PCPartsPicker list and notice you have Windows 8. Do you have Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 when you got this computer?

You mentioned, this OS was bought online. Where did you get it from and I assume you must have another computer to help you download it as the system you're working on now, didn't have a OS in the first place when you just build it.

If so, then go back to the system you download from and see if there is a install windows link on your desktop. Run that and it should let you recreate a new Disc or Bootable USB drive.

Downloading Windows 8.1 requires a Windows 8.1 key, it won't work with Windows 8 keys. Once it's done download it will also have those 2 options.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Click on the link based on the product key that you have. Then it it download, when it's done, you'll get the option of creating a DVD or bootable USB.

Sorry for the confusion. I am using Windows 8.1 64-bit on the computer in question, but I built it originally and installed Windows 7 32-bit, then upgraded to Windows 8 by purchasing a key from g2a.com, which is a trustworthy site, based on my numerous other purchases. G2A provided me with a link to Microsoft.com for a download for either 32 or 64-bit, so I used the 64 bit version. I then upgraded the computer from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 immediately afterwards using the Windows Store, even before installing any other applications.

 

I would create a bootable drive from the computer I am trying to fix, but I wouldn't need to create the drive/disk if I was able to access the computer. Every 10 or so boots, I can type in my password at the login screen for Windows, then open MSConfig so I can begin to enable Safe Mode, but it freezes with no warning after no more than 30 seconds or so, resulting in me having to turn off the computer, then get pulled back into this seemingly endless loop.

[mooseducks86]

Voila! (maybe)

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

 

I have a windows 8 dvd - so I thought I would download a 8.1 dvd so that I wouldn't have to install and then upgrade if something ever happened to the wee one - but it was from a not so reputable site - well - it wasnt MS... but I didn't know they had installation media hosted Anyways - I burned the ISO to DVD with winISO - it didn't work. I thought it was the ISO file I downloaded... but someone told me to follow the links on their site (I assumed it was for the new ISO - but it appears to be a boot media creator. - I still haven't gotten around to getting myself a backup 8.1 installation - maybe I'll try tonight!

 

I assume this would only be different if you downloaded a straight-up ISO - and not this little 1.3 meg file they want me to open (Its like Advent came early this year). It says plop a DVD in or ram a USB drive into your whosit, then click (or tap) the create media link, which is a file I assume you run... and from there, I guess it's all handled by magical creatures. I just hope they're dressed for this weather.

 

 

{creep, right? I know. You can all stop telling me.}    <-- (attn. the magical creatures)

 

Funny story: I originally said "it would only be different if you downloaded a straight ISO" instead of straight-up, but then I thought - ISOs may not all be the same sexual orientation... And I apologize for the close-minded assumption I made to anyone that read my post before I could edit it. I appreciate your understanding in this matter - and I will do my best to be more conscious and sympathetic to the strife of ISOs everywhere in future posts I make about installation media.

[NumLock21]

Sorry for the confusion. I am using Windows 8.1 64-bit on the computer in question, but I built it originally and installed Windows 7 32-bit, then upgraded to Windows 8 by purchasing a key from g2a.com, which is a trustworthy site, based on my numerous other purchases. G2A provided me with a link to Microsoft.com for a download for either 32 or 64-bit, so I used the 64 bit version. I then upgraded the computer from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 immediately afterwards using the Windows Store, even before installing any other applications.

 

I would create a bootable drive from the computer I am trying to fix, but I wouldn't need to create the drive/disk if I was able to access the computer. Every 10 or so boots, I can type in my password at the login screen for Windows, then open MSConfig so I can begin to enable Safe Mode, but it freezes with no warning after no more than 30 seconds or so, resulting in me having to turn off the computer, then get pulled back into this seemingly endless loop.

Since you have the win8 key, then from ms link download the win8 iso. win 8 key won't work with 8.1. You must redownload from the store after you're done installing win8.

[mooseducks86]

Since you have the win8 key, then from ms link download the win8 iso. win 8 key won't work with 8.1. You must redownload from the store after you're done installing win8.

I was about to go on a rant about how crazy that is (It's basically just a service pack) but I googled it and there seems to be a workaround... nevertheless it is still sort of weird they seem to be trying to pass off 8 and 8.1 as completely different OS'.

 

That’s the theory, anyway. In reality, there’s a way we can get around this limitation. The Windows 8.1 installer refuses to accept the Windows 8 product key and won’t allow us to install Windows 8.1 with it. However, Windows 8.1 will accept the Windows 8 product key if you enter it on the desktop after installing Windows 8.1 — no, we don’t know why it works this way. If we had a way of skipping the product key prompt during the installation process and entering the key later, we could install Windows 8.1 fresh — luckily, we do have a way of doing that. We’ll just need to modify the Windows 8.1 installation media a bit.

Update: We’ve been informed that simply entering one of the KMS Client Setup Keys from Microsoft’s website during the Windows 8.1 installation process should let you install Windows 8.1 normally. You should then be able to change your key to your original Windows 8 key from the desktop later.

source: http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

[NumLock21]

I was about to go on a rant about how crazy that is (It's basically just a service pack) but I googled it and there seems to be a workaround... nevertheless it is still sort of weird they seem to be trying to pass off 8 and 8.1 as completely different OS'.

 

That’s the theory, anyway. In reality, there’s a way we can get around this limitation. The Windows 8.1 installer refuses to accept the Windows 8 product key and won’t allow us to install Windows 8.1 with it. However, Windows 8.1 will accept the Windows 8 product key if you enter it on the desktop after installing Windows 8.1 — no, we don’t know why it works this way. If we had a way of skipping the product key prompt during the installation process and entering the key later, we could install Windows 8.1 fresh — luckily, we do have a way of doing that. We’ll just need to modify the Windows 8.1 installation media a bit.

Update: We’ve been informed that simply entering one of the KMS Client Setup Keys from Microsoft’s website during the Windows 8.1 installation process should let you install Windows 8.1 normally. You should then be able to change your key to your original Windows 8 key from the desktop later.

source: http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

There was until they discovered it.

[Chazhammer]

So I used the create installation media and used a USB drive, and it gave me an option to boot from USB or UEFI with the drive's name. I selected UEFI, it showed a low resolution Windows startup logo, then turned black and that's how it's sitting right now, the same result happened when I originally used the iso on a DVD. Should I reboot and select USB rather than UEFI?

[Chazhammer]

Booted from both UEFI and USB. Same results.

I've tried downloading Windows isos from multiple sources, including Microsoft, of course, but still nothing.

[Chazhammer]

Late and well needed update. 
I couldn't fix the issue, so I was forced to plug my disks into a friend's computer and reformat them. 
The SSD and the 3TB HDD formatted fine, but when I tried to boot  my friend's computer with the 500GB HDD the same as I did with the others, Windows wouldn't function properly. It would boot, show the Windows icon, desktop, and taskbar, but won't load anyhting else, such as icons. I could still move the cursor, but nothing worked. As soon as I shut down and removed my HDD, the computer would boot up as good as normal.

 

And yes, even before posting this topic in the first place, I did try booting my PC with every combination of disks connected, so I felt that i had ruled out there being an issue with any of the drives. 

Does anyone know what this could be the result of?

Thanks, 
Chaz