Stuck in W8.1 Repair boot loop

[mkN1G]

Hey guys, I am helping a friend with her laptop but it seems like the problem was a bit more complicated then I thought it would be.

Specs are the following: CPU: AMD A8-6410, GPU: AMD Radeon R5, RAM: 8GB, HDD: Something with 1TB. I would be forever grateful if someone could help me fix this as fast as possible! Cheers!

Problem:

- Stuck in Windows repair when booting

 

Stuff I've tried:

- Resetting completely (Got the error "There was a problem resetting your computer")

- Used CMD to try this 

 

[ARikozuM]

Attach the drive to another system and fix it that way or just backup the files she needs to keep and reinstall.

[mkN1G]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

Attach the drive to another system and fix it that way or just backup the files she needs to keep and reinstall.

How am I supposed to reinstall? Can't use the Windows 8.1 own reinstall thing. Should I make a bootable USB with W10 from Microsoft page and install maybe? I don't want to risk opening up the laptop and taking out the hard drive, since it is not mine.

[ARikozuM]

You can get the .iso from Reddit. They have a repository of all the .iso and you can choose the correct version of 8.1 that she has now. Just make a USB installer to create the bootable USB and have at it.

[mkN1G]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

You can get the .iso from Reddit. They have a repository of all the .iso and you can choose the correct version of 8.1 that she has now. Just make a USB installer to create the bootable USB and have at it.

Will I have to enter the serial number? The laptop is about 1 and a half year old btw.

[ARikozuM]

Just now, MarkusH said:

Will I have to enter the serial number? The laptop is about 1 and a half year old btw.

You need the Product Key, yes.

[mkN1G]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

You need the Product Key, yes.

Could you link the reddit where I can download the Windows, please. I couldn't find it. How can I find the product key if she doesn't have it? It is not on a sticker on the laptop. It came pre-installed!

[mkN1G]

  

This sounds like it would work if I download the same version that I have now, from the Reddit page?

[ARikozuM]

You can attach the drive to another system and attempt to boot from that system. Otherwise you can use the install media to enter the Repair > CMD option and using the command line to call the product key back.

 

Yes, if the key was embedded, you'll be fine. 

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

[mkN1G]

2 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

You can attach the drive to another system and attempt to boot from that system. Otherwise you can use the install media to enter the Repair > CMD option and using the command line to call the product key back.

 

Yes, if the key was embedded, you'll be fine. 

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

Sorry for the spam and me not understanding, I am just very scared to screw this up when it's not my PC.

1. I make a bootable USB with Windows 8.1 from Microsoft's own page

2. I try to boot from the USB in the laptop and when the installation start I go to the repair option

3. Open CMD with an option in the repair section

4. Use a command line to call my product key back?

 

What do you mean call it back? Find it and then do the installation instead of choosing the repair option?

[ARikozuM]

10 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

Sorry for the spam and me not understanding, I am just very scared to screw this up when it's not my PC.

1. I make a bootable USB with Windows 8.1 from Microsoft's own page

2. I try to boot from the USB in the laptop and when the installation start I go to the repair option

3. Open CMD with an option in the repair section

4. Use a command line to call my product key back?

 

What do you mean call it back? Find it and then do the installation instead of choosing the repair option?

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

You can enter the above to get the key from the command line. Write down the key if it finds one and start the installation process. 

[mkN1G]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

You can enter the above to get the key from the command line. Write down the key if it finds one and start the installation process. 

I just tried that and it gave me "ERROR: Description = Not found". That was when I started CMD from the Advanced menu in Windows repair, and yes it was running as admin.

[ARikozuM]

5 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

I just tried that and it gave me "ERROR: Description = Not found". That was when I started CMD from the Advanced menu in Windows repair, and yes it was running as admin.

Then, it won't work unless you're in the OS itself. Can you try to connect the drive to your own computer with SATA or a SATA to USB adapter?

[mkN1G]

4 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

Then, it won't work unless you're in the OS itself. Can you try to connect the drive to your own computer with SATA or a SATA to USB adapter?

That means I will have to open up the laptop and take out the drive?

[ARikozuM]

Just now, MarkusH said:

That means I will have to open up the laptop and take out the drive?

Yes. Disconnect all of your drives before attempting to boot into hers. And get her permission first and explain what you'll need to do. 

 

You can also just reinstall Windows if you don't feel safe trying to mess around with the drive.

[mkN1G]

1 minute ago, ARikozuM said:

Yes. Disconnect all of your drives before attempting to boot into hers. And get her permission first and explain what you'll need to do. 

 

You can also just reinstall Windows if you don't feel safe trying to mess around with the drive.

What would be different if I connect the drive to my own pc and boot?

 

How do you mean I reinstall it? 

[ARikozuM]

7 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

What would be different if I connect the drive to my own pc and boot?

It would let you check if the drive itself is the issue and you also have a bit more freedom to try things unabatedly. 

7 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

How do you mean I reinstall it? 

Make the bootable USB and reinstall Windows. 

[mkN1G]

4 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

It would let you check if the drive itself is the issue and you also have a bit more freedom to try things unabatedly. 

Make the bootable USB and reinstall Windows. 

Ah I see.

 

But I would still need the product key, right?

[ARikozuM]

5 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

But I would still need the product key, right?

If the key is in the UEFI, it will activate once you're in the OS. If it doesn't, you'll have a watermark, but you can always install Windows 10 with Assistive features for free.

[mkN1G]

Just now, ARikozuM said:

If the key is in the UEFI, it will activate once you're in the OS. If it doesn't, you'll have a watermark, but you can always install Windows 10 with Assistive features for free.

Okey, I will dig deeper into this tomorrow, it is getting late now. I will let you know if anything else pops up.

 

You are a one heck of a good person ARikozuM, I appreciate you baring with me! Thank you!

[ARikozuM]

Just now, MarkusH said:

Okey, I will dig deeper into this tomorrow, it is getting late now. I will let you know if anything else pops up.

 

You are a one heck of a good person ARikozuM, I appreciate you baring with me! Thank you!

If I don't respond after you post again, just "thumbs up" or mention me @ARikozuM and I'll see the post.