Solved Cannot Access System Setup via Installation CD or Bootable USB

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Hello everyone.

For some reason, I have lost access to the Installation menu accessible through both the Installation CD and a bootable USB with the same files as the Installation CD. I'm not sure when this started happening but I'm going to say within a couple of months. I had no problems before putting the Installation CD in and accessing the "Repair Computer" menu, the Disk Partition Menu (that one where you can view what's on the HDD such as OEM partitions, your drives, Recovery, etc), and every other menu that is accessible through the Installation disc.

I discovered this a few days ago when I was backing up my system with Windows System Image feature. The system image worked and is accessible but ONLY through "Revert to a System Image You Made Before" menu while running the OS. If I try to access this same menu using an Installation Disc or a bootable drive with the installation media on it, my screen will freeze at the screen where I am supposed to select my language. I also cannot use my mouse or my keyboard. The keyboard light does not appear for NUMLOCK and my mouse has no response; matter of fact, there's no mouse cursor on the screen either.

My PC is an Alienware X52 and it's had at least one clean install before. I don't know if that was a result of why my PC is acting strange but I was able to access the Setup Menus BEFORE this happened and a couple of months ago. I don't know why I can't now. I've checked the Installation CD on another PC and it reads no problem. I can also progress through the menus. I've even tried this with a bootable USB and I get the same results on my "test" PC. No problems found. However, if I try to do it on my Alienware, I get a frozen screen at the time where you select your language, no mouse cursor or response, and no keyboard response.

This is really weird and I don't know what is causing it. Perhaps it is a recovery partition or something that has become corrupted. However, I can't check that because the menu I usually go to freezes. ATM, my PC works fine, but I want to be able to access this screen again god forbid anything happens. Please tell me what I can do to fix this or what might be causing it. Thank you.

 

[RolandJS]

Was the backup image made onto external media? I'm asking 'cause I'm hoping Windows Backup did not accidentally over-write the factory restore/recovery partition.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Was the backup image made onto external media? I'm asking 'cause I'm hoping Windows Backup did not accidentally over-write the factory restore/recovery partition.

Yes. the backup image was made onto a "Passport 600GB" external hard drive.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Anyone?

The PC works fine but I cannot get to the Setup section on either the original installation CD or a bootable USB with the same setup files as the installation CD. I am quite concerned why I can't access this, and am wondering how I can access it if this option isn't available?

 

[AddRAM]

Just create a new usb or install disc, takes just a few minutes

Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free | PCsteps.com

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Just create a new usb or install disc, takes just a few minutes

Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free | PCsteps.com

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

This is a Windows 7 Home Premium one from Alienware (although it doesn't seem to have any of the alienware software that came with my original PC installation. God forbid I need to find all the software that Alienware installed on my PC, where could I find that (specifically a list of the programs installed on my PC)?

Thanks for your answer BTW.

 

[AddRAM]

At Dell

Why would you want all that garbage, I mean software ?

Downloading Software for your Alienware System | Dell US

BTW, Alienware does not make Windows 7, Microsoft does.

If you bought a Dell, all the paperwork, manuals, phone numbers etc, should have come with it.

 

[torchwood]

If your specs are correct
GET RID of 1 of your AV's.
When you repair install -- UNPLUG any external devices.
suggest you post a copy of your Disk management setup

Roy

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

If your specs are correct
GET RID of 1 of your AV's.
When you repair install -- UNPLUG any external devices.
suggest you post a copy of your Disk management setup

Roy

OK. The next available time, I will.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

As requested. Here is my Disk Management screenshot. It looks normal though, so why is it that I can't access the Setup screen using either my Windows 7 OS CD or a bootable USB?

Please help.

Also, I have made a backup system image. If I can't access the Setup section, does this mean I wouldn't be able to restore my backup image?

 

[AddRAM]

I still don`t understand why you keep saying you can`t get to this window after you boot from your install disc or usb stick.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

I still don`t understand why you keep saying you can`t get to this window after you boot from your install disc or usb stick.

@AddRAM , let me try to explain exactly what happens:

1) Shut down PC
2) Boot PC, pressing F12 to get to Boot Options
3) Insert Disc
4) Select to boot from CD
5) Press a key to get to next screen
6) "windows is Loading Files..."
7) Get to Installation Screen
8) Cursor is stuck on German language selection
9) Cursor does not respond
10) Keyboard doesn't respond

I'm at a loss.

Thank you all for your continued help and assistance.

 

[AddRAM]

why are you inserting the DVD after step 2 ?

The disc should already be in the dvd rom when you turn on the PC.

I have no idea why you are loosing mouse and keyboard functionality.

Try a different keyboard and mouse.

Have you called Dell ?

 

[TrustMe]

Do you by any chance have your mouse and keyboard plugged into USB 3 ports? If you do, move them to USB 2 ports. USB 3 ports are usually blue and USB 2 are black. Windows 7 install disc does not have drivers for USB 3.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Do you by any chance have your mouse and keyboard plugged into USB 3 ports? If you do, move them to USB 2 ports. USB 3 ports are usually blue and USB 2 are black. Windows 7 install disc does not have drivers for USB 3.

Hmm, you know, I never really thought of that...

Checking...

Well, well, well; both my mouse and my keyboard are hooked up to what I believe to be USB 3.0. It's a USB slot with a blue line/strip, so this might be why. I'll try again tonight after switching the USB ports. This would explain a lot!!!

@TrustMe, sorry but that didn't work. It seems the computer can't read the keyboard or the mouse when I access the installation CD. The keyboard "NUM LOCK" doesn't even turn on and doesn't respond to key pressing. Neither the mouse. Could it be the disc? It works on my laptop.

@AddRAM, I'll insert the disc first then shut down, then do the rest of the steps and see if that helps.

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

OMG! OMG! OMG!

After booting it through UEFI: CD + changing the ports, I was greeted with a working mouse and keyboard! Thank you so much, @TrustMe!

However, I don't know why this isn't working on my bootable USB. It's a slight pet peeve of mine ATM. Could it be the type of USB I'm using?

Well, at least the CD isn't the problem. Duly noted the changing of ports for further knowledge. I just want to see if I can get an answer on the bootable USB not working and then this can be wrapped up.

 

[AddRAM]

It is common knowledge that you have no support of 3.0 usb ports during a Windows 7 install, thought you would have known that.

if the usb stick is not booting then it just isn`t prepared properly.

Where did you get the iso file to put on the usb stick from ?

What did you use to prepare it ?

 

[TrustMe]

Your welcome, I'm glad you got the keyboard and mouse working.

Post back and let us know how you made out.

 

[AddRAM]

From post #4 it sounds like you are just copying over the files from your dvd to your usb stick, you can`t do that.

Re read my post #5, that should help you with the usb stick.

In order to extract the files properly and create an iso file you have to use a program like Image Burn

The Official ImgBurn Website

Once you have a proper iso file, then you use Rufus to put it on the stick.

Then once that`s all good, you use the 1 time Function key F5 F8 etc, to bring up the boot menu to choose the usb stick, don`t change any boot order in the bios, just use the boot menu to choose the usb stick 1 time and that`s it, you should be good.

Booting from a usb stick is simple once you master it, but it can be tricky.

Using the dvd is so much easier

 

[SickOfTheBSOD]

Your welcome, I'm glad you got the keyboard and mouse working.

Post back and let us know how you made out.

From post #4 it sounds like you are just copying over the files from your dvd to your usb stick, you can`t do that.

Re read my post #5, that should help you with the usb stick.

In order to extract the files properly and create an iso file you have to use a program like Image Burn

The Official ImgBurn Website

Once you have a proper iso file, then you use Rufus to put it on the stick.

Then once that`s all good, you use the 1 time Function key F5 F8 etc, to bring up the boot menu to choose the usb stick, don`t change any boot order in the bios, just use the boot menu to choose the usb stick 1 time and that`s it, you should be good.

Booting from a usb stick is simple once you master it, but it can be tricky.

Using the dvd is so much easier

Alright. I'll look this over then. Well, on my system, F12 brings up the boot order. I'll try both F5 and F8 though. Anyways, I was just taking the files off the DVD and placing them on the stick. And FTR, I didn't know that the difference in USB ports was "common knowledge". Then again, I learned about the programming aspect of computers and not really the electronics.