windows 8.1 error, help format hard drive

[Loner]

Ok, first off the error itself, the machine isnt throwing any codes but rather going back and forth between the desktop and the windows 8 metro application thingy (you know that thing everyone hated), so the pc is completely useless, i dont have the cash for a new windows os (if anyone has a code that would be awsome), but the only thing i use it for is a pyton/html workstation so im compltely fine with throwing ubuntu on it and calling it a day. Im not new to linux as my gaming pc is running ubuntu, but the boot usb wont load ubuntu, i would love to just format the drive using a bios something or other, but im a super noob 16 year old who dosent know shit.  Laptop model is a compaq cq58 if its at all important.

 

Any help would be extremely appreciated and i wouldnt mind throwing some csgo skins your way either (dont get your hopes up its like 50cents maybe).

[lufihengr]

You sure you don't have a faulty keyboard or something?

[techguru]

Ok, first off the error itself, the machine isnt throwing any codes but rather going back and forth between the desktop and the windows 8 metro application thingy (you know that thing everyone hated), so the pc is completely useless, i dont have the cash for a new windows os (if anyone has a code that would be awsome), but the only thing i use it for is a pyton/html workstation so im compltely fine with throwing ubuntu on it and calling it a day. Im not new to linux as my gaming pc is running ubuntu, but the boot usb wont load ubuntu, i would love to just format the drive using a bios something or other, but im a super noob 16 year old who dosent know shit.  Laptop model is a compaq cq58 if its at all important.

 

Any help would be extremely appreciated and i wouldnt mind throwing some csgo skins your way either (dont get your hopes up its like 50cents maybe).

when you say "going back and forth" you mean rapidly right?

that sound more like a bad keyboard or something

or maybe a driver

have you tried a differnet keyboard

and a different usb port?

[Loner]

when you say "going back and forth" you mean rapidly right?

that sound more like a bad keyboard or something

or maybe a driver

have you tried a differnet keyboard

and a different usb port?

 

its a laptop, i doubt the keyboard idea anyway because the bug occurred after a windows 8 to windows 8.1 update, the driver thing may be it but i wouldn't know how to go about thinking about it. seriously tho if somebody could just tell me a startup command to format the drive that would work totally great

[Stuff_]

You don't care about any of the data on the drive, and are willing to format it entirely? 

 

You'll need a windows disk to do that (not technically, there are options like gparted that could work, but wont reinstall windows). If you have a recovery partition (like an OEM partition) you can run the recovery, and restore the drive back to factory defaults.

[techguru]

its a laptop, i doubt the keyboard idea anyway because the bug occurred after a windows 8 to windows 8.1 update, the driver thing may be it but i wouldn't know how to go about thinking about it. seriously tho if somebody could just tell me a startup command to format the drive that would work totally great

then boot up a windows disc or usb stick and delete the patitions and format it

[Loner]

then boot up a windows disc or usb stick and delete the patitions and format it

still have no idea what your talking about, i have a usb with ubuntu on it and i stick it in the usb port on my pc, turn off, turn back on, and nothing happens. it just loads back into the bug

[obsidian1200]

Since it's a compaq/HP, does it have the IDT audio program installed? I've encountered this issue with HP laptops in the past and removing that program has resolved it. You should be able to do this by booting the computer into safe mode with command prompt.

[Loner]

Since it's a compaq/HP, does it have the IDT audio program installed? I've encountered this issue with HP laptops in the past and removing that program has resolved it. You should be able to do this by booting the computer into safe mode with command prompt.

i cant open any programs, ANYTHING, i get a solid 5 seconds before its back to the start screen, anything open before crashes (file browsers included oddly enough)

[obsidian1200]

i cant open any programs, ANYTHING, i get a solid 5 seconds before its back to the start screen, anything open before crashes (file browsers included oddly enough)

 

Even in safe mode with command prompt only? If you boot to regular safe mode or safe mode with networking, it will exhibit the same behavior if the bug is the same as I've encountered before.

[Loner]

Even in safe mode with command prompt only? If you boot to regular safe mode or safe mode with networking, it will exhibit the same behavior if the bug is the same as I've encountered before.

i cant even get into safe mode as trying to open the shutdown menu prompts a freeze and subsequent crash

[obsidian1200]

i cant even get into safe mode as trying to open the shutdown menu prompts a freeze and subsequent crash

Does your computer auto login to your profile or does it stop at the login screen? If it stops at the login screen, you can get to the windows boot manager menu by clicking on the power icon and then, while holding down shift, click restart. If it does, well that'll make getting the safe mode a bit more difficult.

 

Does the compaq recovery menu (usually F11 at the bios splash screen) take you to the windows troubleshooting menu or does it have a custom one for compaq? If it's just the windows troubleshooting menu, you can get to safe mode from there.

 

The screen I'm referring to should look something like this: 

 

If you can get here, go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Windows Startup Settings to toggle safe mode with command prompt for next boot.

 

You can also get to this menu by powering off your laptop repeatedly during boot, forcing it to go to automatic repair, but I don't recommend this as it could damage your hardware.

[techguru]

still have no idea what your talking about, i have a usb with ubuntu on it and i stick it in the usb port on my pc, turn off, turn back on, and nothing happens. it just loads back into the bug

do you have a copy of windows?..if not..download the iso from a torrent..and burn it to a dvd or usb stick with rufus

then go into the bios..change the boot device to the dvd or the usb..it will then boot from that device..and you can do what you need to

[Loner]

Does your computer auto login to your profile or does it stop at the login screen? If it stops at the login screen, you can get to the windows boot manager menu by clicking on the power icon and then, while holding down shift, click restart. If it does, well that'll make getting the safe mode a bit more difficult.

 

Does the compaq recovery menu (usually F11 at the bios splash screen) take you to the windows troubleshooting menu or does it have a custom one for compaq? If it's just the windows troubleshooting menu, you can get to safe mode from there.

 

The screen I'm referring to should look something like this: 

 

If you can get here, go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Windows Startup Settings to toggle safe mode with command prompt for next boot.

 

You can also get to this menu by powering off your laptop repeatedly during boot, forcing it to go to automatic repair, but I don't recommend this as it could damage your hardware.

 i managed to start the refresh, i probably wont update to 8.1 because this was an ordeal, thanks so much mate