Solved Recovery but no EMS

[weiser701]

You should be able to write the DVD ISO to a card. Just extract the ISO using Imgburn, write to card using UltraISO, boot it to Install. If not borrow or buy a 4gb flash stick.

Did you follow the steps given earlier for UltraISO: on File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format card, then Write.

It sounds like you need to clean reinstall to overcome the problems you're having. Just follow the steps given in earlier post to get a perfect install: re-install windows 7

Keep us posted.

I did the ISO process to the best of my interpretation and ability. I first tried to walk through your steps but it didn't seem as though it would allow me (maybe I just wasn't understanding and apply correctly). Then I went through the Help support from the program and followed the steps I thought best matched what needed to be done. I'll try to list the steps I took from DVD ISO creation to extraction on to the SD card.

I'll follow up tomorrow since it's getting late. Thanks for all your guys' patience and help. Hopefully I haven't burned you out already

 

[weiser701]

1. For the disk management screenshot - click on "Start" in the input field type:
diskmgmt.msc (then enter)
Use snipping tool or other tool to save the displayed layout of your disk(s).
Attach it.

2. Click "Start" in the input field type:
cmd - in the listed select cmd.exe, right-click select "Run as Administartor"
In the displayed command prompt type:
bcdedit (than enter)
select and copy the displayed output (click upper left corner of window select edit-mark, select displayed output, than type <enter>) and paste it in your reply.

locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
default {current}
resumeobject {8cb2d9b0-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {current}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {8cb2d9b4-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {8cb2d9b0-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa}
nx OptIn
quietboot No

 

[gregrocker]

Have you at least figured out if indeed it is a Win7 Installation DVD? Is it 2.33 gb?

Almost no manufacturers provide them any longer, to enforce their factory bloatware which provides most of the profit margin nowadays.

What other disks were provided?

 

[weiser701]

Have you at least figured out if indeed it is a Win7 Installation DVD? Is it 2.33 gb?

Almost no manufacturers provide them any longer, to enforce their factory bloatware which provides most of the profit margin nowadays.

What other disks were provided?

Oh I'm pretty certain it isn't an installation DVD. I believe it's over 4GB. The full title is:

Windows 7 Recovery Media for Windows 7 Products

And written on the DVD: "The software included on this Recovery DVD was preinstalled on your hard disk drive at the factory and may only be used for the backup and recovery of your ASUS system"

"This disc contains 64-bit software only. Recovery DVD Disc 1 of 1"

The only other disc provided is: Driver & Utility Ver 1.0"

With my old HP laptop I actually had a Windows Upgrade disc that I used to clean install Windows Vista about every 6 months. Too bad I don't have that option any longer

 

[gregrocker]

Sounds more like a Recovery Disk then, with the factory utilties and bloatware. But it should boot and clean install.

You said you can't access Repair My Computer on F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu? But is it listed there? If it is there and won't run then you might have a damaged System Reserved (boot) partition.

You really need a Repair CD written to stick to try the Repairs, if the DVD isn't a full install DVD with the Repair console. You need to take a look at your partitions with Diskpart, see which is System Active and attempt Startup Repair. Then if it fails, you need to mark Win7 partition itself Active and try repairs again.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

I'm sorry these problems are in your way of running the normal repairs we help people with every day, but being without an optical drive is a serious handicap under the circumstances.

 

[gregrocker]

You should be able to write the DVD ISO to a card. Just extract the ISO using Imgburn, write to card using UltraISO, boot it to Install. If not borrow or buy a 4gb flash stick.

Did you follow the steps given earlier for UltraISO: on File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format card, then Write.

It sounds like you need to clean reinstall to overcome the problems you're having. Just follow the steps given in earlier post to get a perfect install: re-install windows 7

Keep us posted.

I did the ISO process to the best of my interpretation and ability. I first tried to walk through your steps but it didn't seem as though it would allow me (maybe I just wasn't understanding and apply correctly). Then I went through the Help support from the program and followed the steps I thought best matched what needed to be done. I'll try to list the steps I took from DVD ISO creation to extraction on to the SD card.

I'll follow up tomorrow since it's getting late. Thanks for all your guys' patience and help. Hopefully I haven't burned you out already

Could you be specific about the exact trouble you ran into when trying to follow the steps to write ISO to flash?

1) Extract ISO using ImgBurn (easiest) or UltraISO
2) On UltraISO File tab, open ISO
3) on Bootable tab, Write Image'
4) Format first using button
5) then Write.

Where did the problems arise?

 

[boyans]

From the bcdedit output:
.....
recoverysequence {8cb2d9b4-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa}
recoveryenabled Yes
.....
This is a link to the recovery boot loader -> "Repair your computer" on top of "Advanced boot options"(on F8) on standard Windows installation.
So on your disk there is a recovery folder/partition where the needed winre.wim file (and boot.sdi) are!
It is possible that Assus has renamed these files and put some vendor recovery.

If you type:

bcdedit /enum all /v >log.txt

and attach the log.txt I could tell you the exact location of the recovery files and maybe how to correct "advanced boot options" -> "repair my computer" -> EMS.

 

[weiser701]

From the bcdedit output:
.....
recoverysequence {8cb2d9b4-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa}
recoveryenabled Yes
.....
This is a link to the recovery boot loader -> "Repair your computer" on top of "Advanced boot options"(on F8) on standard Windows installation.
So on your disk there is a recovery folder/partition where the needed winre.wim file (and boot.sdi) are!
It is possible that Assus has renamed these files and put some vendor recovery.

If you type:

bcdedit /enum all /v >log.txt

and attach the log.txt I could tell you the exact location of the recovery files and maybe how to correct "advanced boot options" -> "repair my computer" -> EMS.

"bcdedit /enum all /v >log.txt" doesn't give me anything. I tried the exact spacing and also variations.

 

[boyans]

The output is written (redirected) to the file "log.txt" !
Either paste the contents or attach the file.

 

[weiser701]

The output is written (redirected) to the file "log.txt" !
Either paste the contents or attach the file.

Gotcha

I'll attach the file...

 

[boyans]

From attachment:
1. C:\Recovery\8cb2d9b4-7c05-11de-842e-b4611d44fefa\Winre.wim
and
2. [\Device\HarddiskVolume1]\winre.wim

so there are two recovery images.

[\Device\HarddiskVolume1] refers to your unmapped partition(14,65GB) on disk0.

The recovery image linked to Windows 7 is the first listed.
You should be able to access "recovery" from the boot menu as everything looks OK.

Do you get a "boot-menu" with Windows 7 and Memory Diagnostic on start-up? It should be there for 30 secs....
Try hitting F8 or F9 - you should get the "Advanced boot options" menu with "Repair your computer" on top.


Give feedback if you are getting the boot-menu and the "Advanced boot options" on F8/F9.

If you want we can add a boot-menu entry for the second recovery image (on \Device\HarddiskVolume1) to see if it is different. (is it EMS?)
The partition is not mapped in Windows 7 so it is possible that Asus has put there the vendor recovery.

 

[weiser701]

Do you get a "boot-menu" with Windows 7 and Memory Diagnostic on start-up? It should be there for 30 secs....
Try hitting F8 or F9 - you should get the "Advanced boot options" menu with "Repair your computer" on top.


Give feedback if you are getting the boot-menu and the "Advanced boot options" on F8/F9.QUOTE]

I don't get any boot options with "Windows 7" and "Memory Diagnostic" upon hitting F9. That's where I should see the Windows Setup option (under the Windows 7 option). When originally researching that was the result of the advice I found all over the net: Press F9 when you see the Windows logo --> Press [enter] for Windows Setup

I get the options you speak of upon pressing F8, however, those aren't what I'm looking for. I tried the Repair and also the Restore options.

 

[gregrocker]

Is there any chance Asus has placed Factory Restore on your Repair My Computer F8 menu, as is increasingly being done with Win7?

Does you setup literature or Manual specify F9 is Factory Recovery for your model Asus? Look on the Asus Support Downloads webpage for your model to read manual.

 

[boyans]

THIS WILL ADD A BOOT_MENU ENTRY FOR THE RECOVERY ON YOUR HIDDEN(FACTORY) PARTITION (size 14,6GB):

(copy the command line from this post and paste it in a command prompt with administrative rights or type it in exactly!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bcdedit /displayorder {572bcd56-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} /addlast
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After rebooting you will have in the boot menu 2 entries:
1. Windows 7
2. Windows Recovery Environment

select 2. and type <enter>.

Give feedback if this is the EMS.

 

[weiser701]

Is there any chance Asus has placed Factory Restore on your Repair My Computer F8 menu, as is increasingly being done with Win7?

Does you setup literature or Manual specify F9 is Factory Recovery for your model Asus? Look on the Asus Support Downloads webpage for your model to read manual.

I wish that was the case! haha

I had already downloaded the manual and read the section on using the recovery partition. Here is the literature on that:

Using the Recovery Partition:
[FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]1. Press [F9] during bootup.
2. Press [Enter] to select Windows Setup [EMS Enabled].
3. Read the [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]ASUS Preload Wizard [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]screen and click [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]Next[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman].
4. Select a partition option and click [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]Next[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]. Partition options:
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]Recover Windows to first partition only.
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]This option deletes only the first partition and allows you to keep other partitions, and to create a new system partition as drive "C".
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]Recover Windows to entire HD.
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman][FONT=Myriad Roman,Myriad Roman]This option deletes all partitions from your hard disk drive and creates a new system partition as drive "C".
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[weiser701]

THIS WILL ADD A BOOT_MENU ENTRY FOR THE RECOVERY ON YOUR HIDDEN(FACTORY) PARTITION (size 14,6GB):

(copy the command line from this post and paste it in a command prompt with administrative rights or type it in exactly!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bcdedit /displayorder {572bcd56-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} /addlast
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After rebooting you will have in the boot menu 2 entries:
1. Windows 7
2. Windows Recovery Environment

select 2. and type <enter>.

Give feedback if this is the EMS.

Hey.. I'll give that a try after dinner. Thanks!

 

[weiser701]

THIS WILL ADD A BOOT_MENU ENTRY FOR THE RECOVERY ON YOUR HIDDEN(FACTORY) PARTITION (size 14,6GB):

(copy the command line from this post and paste it in a command prompt with administrative rights or type it in exactly!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bcdedit /displayorder {572bcd56-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} /addlast
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After rebooting you will have in the boot menu 2 entries:
1. Windows 7
2. Windows Recovery Environment

select 2. and type <enter>.

Give feedback if this is the EMS.

I get "Ramdisk Device Options" for option 2

I may have already been at this location before, however, I still get errors. It tells me there's no backup on my hard drive or DVD. I wonder what that 14GB partition contains then. I'm starting to wonder if this machine just came to me confused. Maybe I need to explore the DVD ISO to USB option some more. I can use a portable hard drive. Is there anything special I need to do for booting purposes, other than making the necessary boot order changes in BIOS? Do I just need to copy the image on to the drive and boot like normal?

 

[boyans]

hi weiser701,

Can you do following steps:

1. Reboot
2. When the boot menu appears select "Ramdisk device options 2" with your up/down keys.
3. Press F8, if nothing happens press F9.

Does a menu appear? If yes write down the lines and post them.

Is "Windows Setup [EMS Enabled]" in the menu?
If yes then select it and follow the manual...

 

[boyans]

One more:

When in "Disk Management" click on the hidden partition(14,65 MB) right-click and select "Change drive letter and path" then assign a drive letter say "Z:" then it should be explorable.
Later the drive letter can be deassigned...so it will be "hidden" again.

See if there are only the files "winre.wim" and "boot.sdi" on drive Z: (in Explorer go to "Folder options" and enable the "hidden" and "system" files/folders visibility).
Are there other files and folders?

 

[weiser701]

Without pressing [enter] after selecting Ramdisk Device Options (I figured you meant to just highlight it) I pressed F8 and got the menu posted below. This is the same menu I've always been able to get to by pressing F8 at boot up. Pressing F9 upon selecting Ramdisk gets me nothing. Also, I don't get to choose from any options by right-clicking the hidden partition in Disk Management. I get the "Change drive letter and paths" option for the other two partitions but not for the hidden partition.

Advanced Boot Options

Repair Your Computer

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable low-resolution video
Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
Directory Resources Services Mode
Debugging Mode
Disable automatic restart on system failure
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement