Solved Factory reset ended in failure

[RuzheR]

Greetings,

I own Asus zenbook UX32VD with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

I recently did a factory reset (from Control Panel - Advanced Recovery) on my Zenbook UX32V. Prior from resetting, it has Windows 7 and Ubuntu installed (switching on will direct me to GRUB first to select which OS to boot).

Things has become slow for Win7, such as fairly long booting time, inability to detect SD cards from both SD card slot and SDHC USB, and also it sometimes take a long time to recognize a USB. I tested these on Ubuntu and everything works fine, so I decided to do a factory reset since I will need to use Windows more.

The problem occurs after finishing the factory reset. I chose to install windows on the HD with 2 partitions. After a few while, it restarted and to went to GRUB again, and I chose Windows.

It went to the Starting Windows screen for 20 up to 40 minutes. Then it changed into "Setup is updating registry setting". After around 5 minutes, it changed screen (no longer the black screen with Win7 logo) into "Setup is starting services" screen. After a short moment, an error message popped, saying: "Windows could not finish configuring the system. To attempt to resume configuration, restart the computer."

So i clicked the OK button and it restarted. Went into the GRUB again, chose Windows, and the same thing happened again.

I tried to boot up Ubuntu at the next restart. It booted up normally and I was able to access the C, D, and Recovery partition. The C partition is filled with Windows. Detailed lists in case it might help:

Folders:
Adobe, AsusVibeData, Boot, Document and Settings, eSupport, NIS, PerfLogs, Preload64, ProgramData, Program Files, Program Files (x86), Recovery, $Recycle.Bin, System Volume Information, Users, WIMAPPLY, Windows.

Various others:
AdobeReader.log, ASUS.md5, bootmgr, BOOTSECT.BAK, FAC.TXT, hiberfil.sys, pagefile.sys, Pass.txt, RECOVERY.DAT, UX32A.BIN, UX32A_UX32VD_WIN7.20, UX32VD.BIN

Program Files are filled with basic Microsoft and Windows programs. The D: partition is empty. Recovery partition is intact with various items inside.

Should you need to know other information regarding this issue, I will be glad to answer.

Thanks in advance,
RuzheR

EDIT:
I'm sorry to forget mentioning this, but I would also like to uninstall the Ubuntu, so only Windows is there. I am considering to do a clean installation with bootable USB (have noted the Product Key, downloaded an ISO for Home Premium 64-bit, and checked the SHA1 hash value to match with). However, due to the GRUB feature, I am currently unable to go to BIOS. I also have read elsewhere that clean installing with boot USB in ASUS UX32VD is kinda difficult, because it has only USB 3.0 ports, which restrains me from executing it without approvals or suggestions from this forum.

 

[gregrocker]

Did this PC come with Ubuntu Dual Boot, because it's doubtful built-in Factory Recovery would survive if you added it later and then tried to run Recovery with a GRUB Boot Manager onboard. That's really too much to ask of Factory Recovery which isn't very resilient to begin with.

Since you're already headed in that direction your best bet is to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which compiles everything you need to get and keep a perfect Win7 install. During the booted install delete all partitions to create and Format New as you please, or just click Next to let the installer do it for you.

If you're sure you only have USB 3.0 drivers and have no disk drive, there are some options here for Installing Windows 7 from bootable 2.0 USB by 3.0 USB port
and How to Install Windows 7 with only USB 3.0 Ports

I'm not sure what the BIOS has to do with GRUB boot manager which comes after the BIOS posts, but it may be a good idea to enter BIOS Setup now from the prompt on first boot screen to reset to optimal defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI, and try to find USB3 settings to turn off and Legacy USB to turn on to get your flash stick to boot.

Also if you have a UEFI BIOS then you'll need to format your flash stick using Option One in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows, boot it as a UEFI device. An alternative is to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 to Legacy BIOS.

 

[RuzheR]

gregrocker, thanks for your reply!

No, it came with only Windows 7. I installed Ubuntu due to some assignments and have no need for it anymore.

Okay then, will do as your tutorial suggests. A quick question, though. Should I delete the recovery partition? I believe it is a 25GB partition, 16GB used.

 

[gregrocker]

Since the Clean Reinstall Windows 7 is vastly superior to Factory Recovery and it already failed, I would delete it.

There is a method if you keep the Recovery partition to later Boot Recovery Partition using EasyBCD to trigger it to overwrite the drive, but I doubt it would run since it already failed - although there's a possibility that was due to GRUB interference which will be wiped from the drive.

Please refresh the page as I added options to my last post.

 

[RuzheR]

gregrocker, again thanks for the quick reply! I have refreshed the thread and read through your additional edits.

I guess I will go with deleting the recovery since it is unlikely for me to sell this laptop (going to hand this down to my sister).

Thanks for your explanation on BIOS and GRUB, I am now in the BIOS (since having GRUB I am confused).

I am now in the Boot Tab, which has 3 Boot Option in Boot Option Priorities. #1 is ubuntu, second Windows Boot Manager, and third is somewhat a copy of #1 (also ubuntu). How should I proceed?

In the Advanced Tab, I set the SATA Configuration to AHCI as you suggested. In USB Configuration, Legacy USB Support is enabled and XHCI Pre-Boot Mode is Smart Auto. Is it good enough to go?

I'm not really sure about the UEFI BIOS thing (is there a way to check it in the BIOS?)

Bottom line, thanks again for your support, gregrocker. Please bear with my questions since I am not really knowledgeable in this area.

 

[gregrocker]

The presence of WIndows Boot Manager means you have a UEFI BIOS, so you'll need to format the stick using Option One in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows , then boot it as a UEFI flash stick.

The Ubuntu listings should go away when you wipe the drive, and I would go the extra step to wipe the drive with Diskpart Clean Command to clear all GRUB code. You can access the command line when you first boot into the stick using System Recovery Options.

 

[RuzheR]

I am now undergoing the Rufus method. I will update if any problem happens again.

Oh, and a thing, gregrocker. Before doing Rufus I did the USB Boot with the Microsoft Tools linked in the guide. I kinda ignored it because I will have to redo it again anyway with Rufus, but it says something like it successfully copied the data but isn't able to make it bootable. Does it seems to be a problem with the ISO?

EDIT
Found a problem. I switched off the PC, plugged in the USB, and turned it on. It shows GRUB and not the black screen with "Press any key to boot". I read the manual for booting with UEFI and it says:

Press whatever key (ex: F11) it shows to boot to your motherboard's boot menu, and select to boot from the DVD or UEFI USB.

Ref: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

Is the motherboard boot menu = BIOS?

SECOND EDIT
I went into the BIOS again and saw that, in the Boot Tab, UEFI: SanDisk Cruzer Blade is on Boot Option #4. Should I move it to #1?

In the reference posted above, it says to temporarily disable SecureBoot and enable CSM. However, I found no options in the BIOS.

My BIOS Version is 206 if it helps.

 

[gregrocker]

The MS Download tool generates that error when one is trying to create a 64 bit installer on a 32 bit OS or vice versa.

But with a UEFI BIOS you'll need to format exactly according to the pictures in Option One of UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows and then install as shown in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums.

If any further problems persist, go into BIOS setup using key given on first boot screen, look on all tabs (especially Security, Boot and Advanced) for Secure Boot, UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS and BIOS Boot Priority settings, post back pictures of the expanded choices for those settings, or write them out. These must be exactly set, and are different on every PC.

Yes, the motherboard Boot Menu is same as BIOS Boot menu. If you're getting GRUB it is already booting the hard drive and not being interrupted into the BIOS Boot Menu which that key should do.

If you can't get the BIOS Boot Menu to respond using it's key given on first screen, then enter BIOS setup and set UEFI Flash stick (plugged in to USB 2 port) first to boot, Windows Boot manager second. Get Ubuntu out of the boot list completely if possible, or at least move it down.

 

[RuzheR]

Here, sorry if it's kinda messy: [Bolded option is the current chosen option]

ADVANCED
POST Logo Type [STATIC]
Start Easy Flash
Play POST Sound [No]
Speaker Volume [4]
Internal Pointing Device [Enabled]
Wake On Lid Open [Enabled]
Power Off Energy Saving [Enabled]
ASUS USB Charger+ in battery mode [Disabled]
Intel Virtualization Technology [Enabled]
Intel AES-NI [Enabled]
VT-d [Enabled]
SATA CONFIGURATION

• 
  SATA Mode Selection [AHCI] [IDE]

Graphics Configuration

• 
  DVMT Pre-Allocated [32M] [64M] [128M] [256M] [512M]

Intel(R) Anti-Theft Technology Configuration

• 
  Intel(r) Anti-Theft Technology [Enabled] [[Disabled]
  Enter Intel(R) AT Suspend Mode [Enabled] [Disabled]

USB Configuration

• 
  Legacy USB Support [Enabled] [Disabled] [Auto]
  XHCI Pre-Boot Mode [Smart Auto] [Enabled]

Network Stack

• 
  Network Stack [Disable Link] [Enable]

BOOT
Boot Option Priorities

• 
  Boot Option #1 : [UEFI: Sandisk Cruzer Blade]
  Boot Option #2 : [Windows Boot Manager]
  Boot Option #3-#5 : Disabled (Was formerly Ubuntu and a duplicate of Sandisk Cruzer Blade)

Hard Drive BSS Priorities
Add New Boot Option
Delete Boot Option

SECURITY
Administrator Password Status NOT INSTALLED
User Password NOT INSTALLED
HDD Password Status NOT INSTALLED

I/O Interface Security

• 
  Wireless Network Interface [UnLock]
  HD Audio Interface [UnLock]
  USB Interface Security
  • 
    USB Interface [UnLock]
    External Ports [UnLock]
    Bluetooth [UnLock]
    Card Reader [UnLock]

Save&Exit
Save Changes & Exit
Discard Changes & Exit

Save Options
Save Changes
Discard Changes

Restore Defaults

Boot Override
Windows Boot Manager (PO: Hitachi HTS545050A7E380)
ubuntu (PO: Hitachi HTS545050A7E380)
ubuntu (PO: Hitachi HTS545050A7E380)
UEFI: Sandisk Cruzer Blade 1.27
Sandisk Cruzer Blade 1.27

Launch EFI Shell from filesystem device

 

[gregrocker]

So what happens when you attempt to boot the EFI flash stick choice? If necessary move it to the top of the Override list. But it should also be choosable from the BIOS Boot menu key which you already knew about.

 

[RuzheR]

After doing the configuration I Save & exited. It came with the Windows is loading files screen for a moment and now is on Starting Windows splash screen. I'm not sure but it seems like it's going into the same original problem. I'll update again.

EDIT
It went into the installation step. I proceed to clean the HD via command prompt on Repair choice but it kinda stuck with the blue screen for around 5 minutes. Will update again

SECOND EDIT
I think I messed up big time. Should've pressed Shift+f10 from the beginning and not the repair button (I think I followed a mismatched guide with my problem). Should I force shutdown?

THIRD EDIT
After around 30 minutes the System Recovery Options popped out. However it is on constant blue circle loading and I am unable to click Next. Will update again if changes happen.

FOURTH EDIT
Still blue loading screen. I tried to open the command prompt with shift+f10, and typed diskpart. It showed until "On Computer: <computer name>" and proceed with only blinking underscore, not the DISKPART>

I kinda came into conclusion that everything that wants to communicate/do something with the failed factory reset Windows will have a very slow process...

FIFTH EDIT 11:06
Might as well put a timestamp per edit, since it's getting many.
The loading screen finally subsided and pop a new windows: System Recovery Options. Currently, it is "Searching for Windows installations"

 

[RuzheR]

I think it just gave up searching. The box went full grey and no loading animation can be seen. All I can do now is moving the mouse and opening command prompt via shift+f10

 

[gregrocker]

Just a cursory search of your model Zenbook shows us it has a 32gb SSD cache chip that can be used for reinstall as detailed in this guide: [GUIDE] UX32VD - How to install Windows 7 on the integrated 32GB SSD | NotebookReview

All reports we've gotten previously on these is that these 32gb caching chips don't really speed things up much at all, but of course when users install Win7 to the SSD (usually as a test since it's so small) they benefit from the lightning speeds expected of SSD's.

Normally these chips are used with Intel Rapid Storage Technology although post #12 here suggests it uses a different one in case you want to further research how you could restore it's purpose to serve as fast caching and possibly faster boot for the 500gb hard drive.

Much else to read about your model: https://www.google.com/search?q=rei...la:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&gws_rd=ssl

 

[RuzheR]

Hi gregrocker, thanks for the information. Sadly, I have to inform you that the SSD cache mentioned has failed since around a year ago (I never used it anyway, because it shows with somehow an error in Disk Management). It might be a defect but well yeah, I kinda ignored it. Fool of me.

On the other hand, I finally managed to get into the command prompt from system recovery options after 1 hour worth of waiting. Cleaned the disk, now how should I proceed?

 

[gregrocker]

FYI the chip may appear to have failed, disappear, etc. until it is properly formatted as shown in the manufacturer's guide, in this case possibly by researching the actual maker revealed in our forums' post linked here. But as a curiousity, do any other drives show up in Diskpart List disk or Installer Drive selection window pictured below?

I can understand why you might want to set it aside since it is nearly impractical to use it for install as some once wanted to do, and as I said all reports we've had on this in at least a hundred cases are that it doesn't speed anything up unless you install to it.

So if you were able to Clean the drive then close the Command Box, select Install Now, proceed with install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

When you get to this step, create your partitions as you wish, or just click Next to let installer do it for you. There will be several small partitions created for UEFI system.

 

[RuzheR]

Will do, gregrocker. Just restarted and is now going to follow the guide you mention.

Thanks for bearing with me so far and I will update again if any other problem pops up.

 

[RuzheR]

Just read your edited post. Yes, I do remember 3 disks appeared. Disk#0 is around 30GB (which I believe is the iSSD), Disk#1 is around 465GB which is the HDD, and Disk #2 with 14GB (I think this is the UEFI USB). I cleaned only the Disk#1.

 

[gregrocker]

Once it is rockin and rollin to completion, switch to this guide for achieving and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint or return here with problems. You will keep perfect Win7 to the exact extent you stick with the tools and methods given.

 

[RuzheR]

Sure, gregrocker. A question though. In your experience, do anybody who clean installed with a bootable Flash stick has long installation time? After clicking the Install button, it went into "Setup is starting" and it took like, 7 minutes and still going...

 

[gregrocker]

It could be almost anything, from UEFI settings, to suspected bad chip. I have had long delays on some installs that turn out fine, but it is rare.

Do you have another stick to try if it comes to that? We also can change to a Legacy install to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7.

What are the CPU and RAM specs? Many netbooks use 32bit for better performance if much under 4gb RAM. That would require Legacy install anyway. I don't see a setting for CSM or Legacy install but on some BIOS' it only requires reformatting the stick for Legacy to MBR and choosing it as a plain flash stick in Boot Menu.

I think the next thing will be to go over the UEFI settings in BIOS with a fine tooth comb, after Resetting BIOS to Optimal Defaults. You should also check if there is a new BIOS update which may be needed to get the latest settings.