Solved Recovery but no EMS

[gregrocker]

This is the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu I referred you to yesterday which you said wouldn't boot.

Repair Your Computer is the Win7 Repair console. Select it and see if it offers Asus Factory Recovery on the Menu.

If not, select Startup Repair and run up to 3 separate times with reboots to try to start Win7.

Startup Repair should automate System Restore but if not try running it from the Menu. Go back as far as necessary until Win7 starts.

If this fails, select Command Line and use Diskpart to mark Win7 partition Active then run the Repairs again. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html

If it still won't start, you can attempt to mark the Recovery partition Active to see if it will run using F9.

 

[boyans]

weiser701,

MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition v5.2 is a free GUI tool that you can use to change partition types.

I don't know what type the partition 1 (the hidden 14,6 GB) has.

WRITE DOWN THE TYPE BEFORE CHANGING SO YOU CAN RESTORE IT TO THE CURRENT TYPE LATER.

Now you can change the partition type - from the current hidden to unhidden same format e.g. -
hidden NTFS -> normal NTFS,
hidden FAT32 -> normal FAT32

Later in Disk Management you can assign a letter, e.g. Z:, to this partition.

Then explore the partition to see what files/folder there are.

If there is more than just 'winre.wim' and 'boot.sdi' in the root folder a boot menu entry can be created later to some "EMS-look-like" if there...

 

[weiser701]

Before I try either of those suggestions, should I try writing the recovery ISO on to my portable hard drive and booting from that? Wouldn't that be the same as using a USB flash drive? Or does it need to be on the same hard drive if not booting form USB flash drive? I guess I don't see the difference in terms of accessing or booting from the drive. I'm willing to try that option before I possibly mess my computer up further

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Is something like this what you're referring to, I haven't really been keeping up with this thread?


Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB device

 

[mjf]

I got a bit confused scanning the thread the boot.wim file referred to earlier is the wim image found in [Source] on the system repair disk or in c:\recovery, it's the winre.wim. If you want a system repair disk, download one.

If you are trying to do a factory recovery. A way which works on my ACER machine is:
1) Download Hirens Boot CD (12.0 latest version).
2) One of the things it provides at the end is a list of disks, their mbr, and their partitions.
3) For Acer, I select the partition representing the recovery partition & press boot!
Up pops the full factory recovery screen. Amazingly simple.

Edit: Note again no guarantees it will be that simple for your recovery partition for the Acer PC.

 

[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 followed your directions and I now have the supplied Windows Recovery DVD on my portable hard drive (formatted). I'll try booting tonight. Thanks

 

[boyans]

I am not sure a bootable HDD can be created with UltraISO.

The Windows 7/Vista boot process uses the BCD - without a BCD (with the correct loader entries) the boot manager should be clueless and stop with some error message.

More than that, I am not sure UltraISO will create a '\boot' folder with all the needed files and place 'bootmgr' - Windows 7/Vista boot manager in the root folder of the active partition.

I am not sure UltraISO will place the needed MBR & PBR...

I am close to a simpler solution to the problem formulated by Bare Foot Kid:

"Install Windows 7 without DVD drive and USB drive"
(having a portable HDD and the 'factory' DVD media)

 

[mjf]

Weiser701,
You appear to be jumping through hoops a bit.
Did you read my post above? What didn't you understand?
You can write the Hirens 12.0 boot CD to a USB flash drive.

I believe most recovery partitions are bootable. That is they contain a boot manager and a BCD store. There are a number of ways to boot into the recovery partition including

1) Function key press as per the manufacturers instructions. If it's F9 keep pressing tapping F9.
2) (Warning) Setting the factory recovery as active and mark the current system, active inactive and going in via the MBR. If it doesn't boot into the factory recovery partition straight away, you may need to run startup repair and the repair function one or more times to boot. But if this doesn't work you need to reverse the process to get back to your normal Windows 7 boot situation.(Warning) You need to be technically comfortable with this option.
3) By pass the MBR and boot directly into the recovery partition. It does not need to be touched, marked active etc. If it contains boot files it will boot. If it doesn't it simply won't boot.
The Hirens 12.0 bootable CD/USB lets you do this. It is automatically performing part of the booting function. Identify your recovery partition & choose the option to booting into it NOT the disk MBR because this will just boot your disk as per normal.

Then using your DVD factory recovery disks
4) Buy or borrow a USB DVD burner and use your recovery disks. You surely need a DVD burner anyway?

I would recommend options (1), (3), (4) in that order. Option (2) only if you feel technically comfortable.

 

[weiser701]

Is it possible to boot from a shared dvd drive over network? Doesn't seem so but thought I'd still ask.

EDIT: Researched some more and looks like it's a big, fat NO.

 

[boyans]

hi weiser701,

One possible solution to the problem - "get back to 'factory' install without DVD drive and without USB drive (solution on portable HDD using another computer)":

Overall:
put on portable HDD the image of the DVD as .iso, prepare the portable HDD to boot the .iso

Steps:

0. Format the portable HDD ( NTFS will do ) - only one partition needed.

1. Backup of all your documents - maybe the whole user directory/folder to SD.
(the unmoveable hard disk will be formated later in the installation step and new partitions will be created!)

2. On another Windows 7 machine (can be Vista, XP) WITH DVD DRIVE!:

2.1. create a file say 'ASUS.iso' on portable HDD which has the contents of the ASUS DVD - gregrocker has pointed in the thread earlier how this can be done.

2.2. put on portable HDD the needed 'bootmgr' + '\boot' folder + mbr and make an entry in the BCD for the .iso image -> this can be done with Windows 7 supplied command line tools and/or with the help of EasyBCD.

Here some basic steps of the Windows 7 boot process:
BIOS loads ->MBR(master boot record) loads ->PBR(partition boot record) loads ->bootmgr (uses BCD - boot configuration data) loads ->selected boot-menu option(=OS or recovery)

So for step 2.2.
2.2.1. create MBR & PBR = repair MBR specifying partition(drive letter)
2.2.2. re/create boot environment (bootmgr+\boot),
2.2.3. add entry in the BCD for loading .iso image (ASUS.iso created in step 2.1.)
step 2.2 can be done with EasyBCD (freeware) without going to command line.

You can go to EasyBCD manuals/tutorials and screens posted in this forum and try to find out how this can be done. You can download the tool and start it to get used to it. Just NO CONFORMATIONS without being 100% sure what you are doing.
Every 2.2.n. step is done on one screen selecting one or more choices and confirmation...

3. Get back to ASUS computer, boot the prepared portable HDD (= as if the ASUS DVD is booted) and follow the manual provided by ASUS for installing the 'factory' options.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The easiest solution is buy a 8 GB USB, put the 'ASUS' DVD to USB with 'Windows 7 USB DVD Download tool' (free from Microsoft) boot the USB and install.

Hope this helps.
(a message just popped up for a PM but my browser forbids pop-ups so I couldn't read it.)

 

[weiser701]

I just wanted to make a note that the reason I was working so hard to find a solution using the hidden partion I'm supposed to be able to use is that I would like to have a permanant solution I can come back to in the future that doesn't require me to reinstall drivers. Using the hidden partition negates having to install drivers. Using the recovery CD requires the installation of drivers. Anyway, I just wanted to make that known so you guys don't think I'm just being a complete idiot

boyans,

I'm still evaluating and trying to interpret your newest approach. It might come down to either that or cutting my losses and using the USB (which would require driver installation every time used).

 

[gregrocker]

What makes you think that using the Recovery Disks requires you to install drivers?

The drivers are already installed in the image which is stored on the Recovery partition, which also generates the Recovery Disks. If you Recover using either, Your computer will be exactly like it was when you got it from the store.

 

[mjf]

Talk about the blind leading the blind - too much
(I'm not talking about the gregrocker advice or BFK)

 

[weiser701]

What makes you think that using the Recovery Disks requires you to install drivers?

The drivers are already installed in the image which is stored on the Recovery partition, which also generates the Recovery Disks. If you Recover using either, Your computer will be exactly like it was when you got it from the store.

I guess I'm wrong then. From what I researched earlier I was under the impression using the Recovery disc would require driver updates/installation. Those were the answers I got. I'm only going off of what I researched. I'm not saying it's fact. I apologize for not being well versed in all this. I've sure given it an effort though. I've put hours in trying to make this work. All in an effort to utilize a function I should be able to use by simply pressing F9 at boot up.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you borrow or buy a 4gb or larger flash stick to write the ISO from your Win7 DVD on? I gave you the steps to do this using ImgBurn to extract the DVD ISO, then UltraISO trial version to write the ISO to stick. If you find the stick I will connect and do it for you.

BFK also gave you the steps to install from the HD itself. Have you considered this?

You can also borrow or buy an external DVD drive to do the install, then return it. Set it as first device to boot in BIOS setup.

If we don't hear back from you on the specific problems you are having trying each of these then we can't help you get them done.

Have you tried repairing your current install? What is the exact problem and what have you done to remedy it?

 

[weiser701]

Can you borrow or buy a 4gb or larger flash stick to write the ISO from your Win7 DVD on? I gave you the steps to do this using ImgBurn to extract the DVD ISO, then UltraISO trial version to write the ISO to stick. If you find the stick I will connect and do it for you.

Yes, this is what I was just saying I'll probably have to end up doing. Funny, I have plenty of flash cards but no USB sticks anymore. I'll probably end up buying one.

You can also borrow or buy an external DVD drive to do the install, then return it. Set it as first device to boot in BIOS setup.

I've thought about this option, as well, but I'm trying to avoid using disc media. That was part of the reason for getting this computer. Either way I have to borrow/buy an external DVD drive or USB flash stick so I might as well go with the USB stick. I'm also looking for a permanant, repeatable solution so USB would be the best route to go for my situation.

Have you tried repairing your current install? What is the exact problem and what have you done to remedy it?

I've tried repairing several times. It just results in errors. Nothing specific that I can recall, but I'll do it again and see about reporting exactly what it reads.

It's kind of frustrating because the computer seems to be lacking a basic feature ASUS should have provided. The partition is there but the menu option at boot up isn't. I haven't done ANYTHING to this computer to result in such a problem. This has just been an internet and basic photoshop machine.

 

[mjf]

If your factory recovery partition still exists don't dismiss using it.
Yours is right at the front of the disk. I'm pretty sure it will boot if you mark it active.
If you had the Hirens boot USB you don't need to touch anything. Just boot the Hirens and select disk2,partition1 Boot then up should pop your recovery screen.

 

[gregrocker]

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[weiser701]

If your factory recovery partition still exists don't dismiss using it.
Yours is right at the front of the disk. I'm pretty sure it will boot if you mark it active.
If you had the Hirens boot USB you don't need to touch anything. Just boot the Hirens and select disk2,partition1 Boot then up should pop your recovery screen.

I did try to mark it as active but it wasn't giving me the option. Everything was grayed out. Also, if I'm somehow able to mark it as active and then boot up but can't get the recovery to work, will I be able to go back to marking my OS partition active without troubles? I thought I read you can get yourself in a bind doing this if all doesn't go well. I can't recall for sure, just going off memory.

I'm a little frustrated with Asus, since this should be such an easy task and that partition is just sitting there laughing at me, all troubleshooting aside.

 

[weiser701]

A user was able to write ISO to card using UltraISO recently. I would try it since it is so simple: Extract ISO using ImgBurn, on UltraISO File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Image, Format button, Write button.

Then boot the card by setting it as first device to boot in BIOS setup, or using one-time BIOS boot menu.

Actually, I did try this but wasn't successful at booting. I changed the boot order but it went right into booting from the C: drive (OS). I probably didn't have the files written correctly. I'll make another attempt, although I'm not sure my card is big enough. All my flash cards are 4GB or smaller. I think the Recovery disc consumes more than that. This is also probably why I'll need to just buy an 8GB USB flash.