No OS installed, need to do a factory restore.

[Kaktussoft]

I was never able to instal windows 8 but I was able to use the recovery tools in the CD to format C:, but the ubuntu installation froze up (a problem related to drivers I believe - it wasn't compatible with my computer)

The reason I formatted C: was because I figured I could somehow get to the advanced boot options to do a factory install.

So both 250GB partitions can be deleted? No relevant stuff on it anyway.

you did never ever touch recovery and OEM partition? So all stuff should be still there

 

[jmanwithplan]

Yes, that is correct. If I select hard disc first in boot order I get "boot mgr is missing" I guess it was the last partition marked active. The other two partitions don't have anything on them.

 

[jmanwithplan]

I don't know about deleting the partitions, because wont I need one to install the factory image on?

 

[jmanwithplan]

the download is finished. I am creating a bootable windows 7 usb flash drive.

 

[Kaktussoft]

I don't know about deleting the partitions, because wont I need one to install the factory image on?

I didn't make the recovery partition but usely it works like this:

• It asks you if you want to keep partitions or if it should repartition

It can be used in worst case... so even if partitions are gone. It's called a RECOVERY partition... it should to care of everything.

Please tell me when download finishes. After that you use the microsoft tool to create an bootable USB stick.

Boot the problem laptop from usb. Don't do anything then. Just post results

 

[Kaktussoft]

what brand and type laptop is it btw?

 

[jmanwithplan]

urgg I get the error message "Files copied successfully, but we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable"

What format should it be in Fat32 or NTFS ?

 

[jmanwithplan]

I wouldn't call it a laptop but its got laptop components I guess. It's a dell inspiron all in one PC (23 inches - 1080 p)

It's 64 bit too. It works well If I can actually get it working again.

 

[Kaktussoft]

urgg I get the error message "Files copied successfully, but we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable"

What format should it be in Fat32 or NTFS ?

It should reformat itself as far as I know. what is the format of that partition now?
Is it marked active (see disk management)

 

[Kaktussoft]

urgg I get the error message "Files copied successfully, but we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable"

What format should it be in Fat32 or NTFS ?

It should reformat itself as far as I know. what is the format of that partition now?
Is it marked active (see disk management)

it should be ntfs btw but not very sure. ntfs works for sure

 

[jmanwithplan]

It's NFTS, but I'm looking at a guide that says it should be fat32 so I will try that.

 

[jmanwithplan]

This website might be helpful to the forum for future references. How to create a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive | Ars Technica

It describes how to do it manually through command prompt.

 

[Kaktussoft]

ntfs is fine as well!! try it again please

 

[Kaktussoft]

the tool extracts the files from iso to usb. makes a ntfs partition as well. Marks it active as far as I know.
Since ntfs partition is there... please check if it is active. Does it have a drive letter attached as well? if so which one?

only thing that fails... bootsector but I can tell you how to write it manually!

 

[jmanwithplan]

boosect.exe /nt60 D:?

 

[Kaktussoft]

boosect.exe /nt60 D:?

Is it ntfs now? is it active now? chekc disk management

 

[Kaktussoft]

you do have a 64bits win7 iso and 32 bits vista? that's why it fails... but can be fixed I think

 

[jmanwithplan]

Ok. I got to a screen that said loading files, then it said "starting windows" But now there is a blue screen that says "*** STOP: 0x0000005c ...... followed by a bunch more 0's and x's with a few random letters to piss me off....."

I think I'm close to giving up.

 

[jmanwithplan]

Yes, it's a 32 bit vista disc, but I have downloaded 64 bit home version. And sorry, I had chose fat32 instead of NTFS. I will try NTFS now.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ok. I got to a screen that said loading files, then it said "starting windows" But now there is a blue screen that says "*** STOP: 0x0000005c ...... followed by a bunch more 0's and x's with a few random letters to piss me off....."

I think I'm close to giving up.

just listen... i can fix it. First use the microsoft tool to create the ntfs bootable USB ISO.

It copies all files succesfully? partition is active on usb?