Fresh windows install trouble

Iron-man · 30 Oct 2015 at 18:21

Evening all

I am having a bit of an issue with the family computer(pleased it is not the new one)

It is a Toshiba laptop which ended up after doing some windows update on windows 7 got the Blue screen. Went through various guides and googling etc which didn't sort it.(wouldn't even boot into safe mode)

I ended up taking out the drive and transferring data from it etc.
I also used Hirens boot cd to get into and find the windows key as it had faded on the sticker on the bottom.

I have placed the drive back in the computer and tried to reinstall windows from the recovery mode which did nothing.

I have now got a windows 10 usb boot key but when I try to use this I use F12 to enter boot options and choose to boot from the usb it then tells me to enter cd then restart?

Anyone got any ideas as I obviously have windows on the usb(which is an official version not homemade so know that is ok)

I just want to put a fresh install back on the computer

Thanks

Randall8686 · 30 Oct 2015 at 18:45

sounds like you have the boot sequence in the bios wrong, Change the boot sequence for now to USB then HDD then CD. it should then boot from the usb assuming you have made it bootable.

Iron-man · 30 Oct 2015 at 18:58

Randall8686 said:
sounds like you have the boot sequence in the bios wrong, Change the boot sequence for now to USB then HDD then CD. it should then boot from the usb assuming you have made it bootable.

I have tried entering BIOS and put USB first but to no avail, the USB is definitely OK as it is one I bought and installed windows on my other computer using just this morning so USB is all ok.

Iron-man · 30 Oct 2015 at 19:05

So I have just been inot BIOS and set the boot sequence to USB,HDD,CD

When booting I get a message that comes up with the below

windows failed to start. a recent hardware of software change might be the cause to fix the problem.
1. insert windows install disc and restart
2.choose your language settings and then click next. (this is the option I was looking for but isn't there.
3. click repair.(doesn't work as tried this before deciding to install fresh

it then says if you do not have disc contact manufacturer

file:\boot\bcd
status:0xc000000e
info:the boot configuration data for your pc is missing or contains errors

Iron-man · 31 Oct 2015 at 14:25

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice thanks

koolpc · 31 Oct 2015 at 14:36

Firstly, if you are trying to install win 10 Fresh without doing an upgrade it wont work unless it is a retail version. Secondly, you can only install it on one PC.

Why dont you download Win 7 from net and make an ISO and then boot from the DVD?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18684092

Iron-man · 31 Oct 2015 at 15:08

I may have to do that, I am aware that windows can only be used on one machine but the USB can be used would just need a different key?

Maybe I will have to try a download but I have tried this before but it said it was too big to fit on the blank dvd I had

koolpc · 31 Oct 2015 at 15:20

The download will fit on any DVD. I have done this myself.

Plenty of downloads in the link i put above

As for the USB being used again but with a different key, it depends which version you have on the USB as there are a few different flavours of Windows 10 which will probably have a product key match to that OS.

Iron-man · 31 Oct 2015 at 16:21

koolpc said:
The download will fit on any DVD. I have done this myself.

Plenty of downloads in the link i put above

As for the USB being used again but with a different key, it depends which version you have on the USB as there are a few different flavours of Windows 10 which will probably have a product key match to that OS.

oK thanks I will try the dvd again

Iron-man · 4 Nov 2015 at 16:02

So now I have another issue, I want to download windows from Microsoft website but to do this I need to verify my windows product key, When inserting my key in it says error and asks me to contact support.

I contact support who verify that the key is valid but is locked by the manufacturer (in this case Toshiba) and that I need to contact them to get them to unlock it.

I have tried this and Microsoft and both say they cannot help and to contact the other.

anyone got any ideas as all I want to do is a fresh install due to the blue screen stopping the laptop working.

Thanks for any advice

TWiNKLeT0Es · 4 Nov 2015 at 20:43

Do you have secure boot enabled in the BIOS? This will stop you from installing Windows.

Iron-man · 4 Nov 2015 at 20:46

TWiNKLeT0Es said:
Do you have secure boot enabled in the BIOS? This will stop you from installing Windows.

To be honest not too sure, it is an old style bios as laptop is prob 4 years old. Have you ever heard of a OEM product key being blocked??

TWiNKLeT0Es · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:13

What make and model Toshiba is it? It should have a recovery partion on it you can boot from and reinstall.

:edit:

Most can be booted from using a key stroke method like:

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/System...Perform-system-recovery-Windows-7/ta-p/279643

Iron-man · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:14

TWiNKLeT0Es said:
What make and model Toshiba is it? It should have a recovery partion on it you can boot from and reinstall.

It is a satellite cq660, it has a recovery partition but it fails to recover and it all happened after an automatic windows update and restart and then it got a blue screen

FixupSellon · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:22

get iso of windows anywhere, just make sure its correct version to your key..

windows 10 is okay, happy with 8.1 personally, but if you must have win 10 then install windows 7 and upgrade free if it allows you, not all computers accept windows 10, i had an old computer recently that couldnt get 10 because the graphics were too old for support and that was my only issue with that..

as for the issues of failing to start, either os is buggered or the hdd is, i say these 2 reasons, because ive had these issues and replacements sorted it.

Iron-man · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:24

FixupSellon said:
get iso of windows anywhere, just make sure its correct version to your key..

windows 10 is okay, happy with 8.1 personally, but if you must have win 10 then install windows 7 and upgrade free if it allows you, not all computers accept windows 10, i had an old computer recently that couldnt get 10 because the graphics were too old for support and that was my only issue with that..

as for the issues of failing to start, either os is buggered or the hdd is, i say these 2 reasons, because ive had these issues and replacements sorted it.

Ok thanks only thing is I have put HDD in a caddy and connected to another computer and can see files etc just won't boot into Windows and won't even boot into safe mode, been knackered for weeks now and need it fixed. Not sure on best place to get a windows iso from, was hoping to get it from Microsoft good copy etc as have an official key

TWiNKLeT0Es · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:54

Iron-man said:
I have put HDD in a caddy and connected to another computer

Have you checked the drive for errors?

Open command prompt by hitting Windows key and the R key. In the run command type cmd and click ok.

In the command prompt type:

chkdsk /f e: Press Enter. Where "e" is the drive letter of the caddy change it to whatever it is.

Good luck.

:edit:

This maybe of some use to you and simple to use with a UI: http://www.lazesoft.com/lazesoft-recovery-suite-free.html

Iron-man · 4 Nov 2015 at 21:59

TWiNKLeT0Es said:
Have you checked the drive for errors?

Open command prompt by hitting Windows key and the R key. In the run command type cmd and click ok.

In the command prompt type:

chkdsk /f e: Press Enter. Where "e" is the drive letter of the caddy change it to whatever it is.

Good luck.

Thanks I will try this at the weekend and put back here what I get