Booting PC, black screen with flashing underscore.

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

Associate
Joined
16 Mar 2009
Posts
1,917
Hi everyone, desperate for some help here :(

I had a windows update last night, since then I can't boot into my PC. Initially it was saying no Hard drive can be found with an OS or something like that but after two restarts I got past that and managed to get into the windows options.

So I tried a system restore but since that when my PC boots it goes to a black screen with a flashing white underscore in the top left corner. This is all that happens.

I can't boot from windows 8.1 disc either as I only have a windows 8 disc and I never put 8.1 onto a disc (stupid I know).

My BIOS/motherboard does see my SSD with the OS on and it is set as the 1st boot option.

Please help, I offer infinite gratitude :)
 
I decided to just bite the bullet and do a re-installation of windows 8. Another issue!

"Windows can't be installed on drive 0 partition 1"
"Windows can't be installed on drive 0 partition 2"

It says " windows cannot be installed to the disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table, On EFI systems, windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

Can anyone help me get windows re-installed, please ignore the first post. I'm incredibly frustrated!
 
what are the partitions? any important data stored on them?

if not then delete all the partitions and format,re install windows

you should have done a startup repair with the windows disc after it started playing up,that would or should have cured it
 
Thanks for the reply.

I deleted the partitions and managed to get windows re-installed. Ran into another issue, what an absolute nightmare!

So, I re-installed windows 8. Can't activate it though can I! It's the upgrade disc from my windows 7 ultimate OS. Which is long gone now, I didn't realise I needed to keep my windows 7 key and disc handy. I thought the windows 8 disc and key would be fine.

I now have an un-activated Windows 8 :(
 
Footyslayer said:
Thanks for the reply.

I deleted the partitions and managed to get windows re-installed. Ran into another issue, what an absolute nightmare!

So, I re-installed windows 8. Can't activate it though can I! It's the upgrade disc from my windows 7 ultimate OS. Which is long gone now, I didn't realise I needed to keep my windows 7 key and disc handy. I thought the windows 8 disc and key would be fine.

I now have an un-activated Windows 8 :(
Click to expand...

http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc
 
Matt-Page said:
Erk, your stuffed then pal. Have a look on the auction site and see if you can buy another one for similar money. Either that, or just buy a Windows 8 license/disc new and have done with it.
Click to expand...

That isn't necessary as there's a way to activate a upgrade if it's done as a fresh install by using the information in the link that has been provided by KIA.
 
Hi everyone, thanks for the replies.

I was about to do that lifehack method and my PC played up again so I did a PC refresh and once booted I found my Windows 8 validated.

Massive relief :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom