Unmountable_Boot_Volume Friend's Laptop. No Installation Disk or Key

[Danielzxzx]

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
*** STOP: 0x000000ED (0x85BACB18, 0xC0000185, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Hello, so I'm trying to repair a friend's laptop. Whenever I boot into it, I get the bsod mentioned above and it only flashes for a split second before restarting. I managed to get the details by using: "Disable automatic restart on system failure".

The big problem I see is that I have no tools I know of to fix the issue. My friend doesn't have a recovery disk or an installation disk. He doesn't know the product key so I can't make an installation disk from Microsoft's site. He also doesn't know what version of Windows 7 he is running and it doesn't say anywhere on the laptop as the laptop originally had Windows 8.

So without any of that information, I'm not sure how to go through with fixing this issue.

Now he is alright with me doing a clean install as long as I backup his pictures. So as long as I'm able to get access to his pictures, his product key, and what version he is running without being able to boot into his operating system, I should be able to fix the issue.

My Dad does have Windows 7 and he does know his product key so I could use that to verify for the Microsoft site, however I don't know how this works now and I don't want to mess anything up for my Dad.

 

[axe0]

Read this tutorial and see how far you can come: http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/374763-troubleshooting-stop-0x7b-stop-0xed.html

With a laptop the product key is embedded in the BIOS, you only have to install Windows and the first time the laptop boots after installation the installation should activate automatically
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[Danielzxzx]

Wouldn't the key in the bios be for Windows 8 and not for Windows 7 which he currently is using? I'm not sure how keys work in the bios so I could be wrong.

Anyway, I tried connecting his hard drive to my computer through this usb thing and it just crashes my explorer whenever I try to access the drive. I'm going to try connecting it directly tomorrow. So far, could this be a sign of something wrong with the hard drive itself?

 

[axe0]

For retrieving the key it must run on the problem laptop: Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

 

[Danielzxzx]

So couldn't I just reinstall windows then with something like Windows 8 which is what the laptop originally had and then get the key from the windows folder which would be located in windows.old? Then do another reinstall but this time to Windows 7 and use the key I got from that? As long as there isn't anything wrong with the hard drive.

 

[Layback Bear]

A Windows 8 key will not activate Windows 7.

 

[axe0]

Wouldn't the key in the bios be for Windows 8 and not for Windows 7 which he currently is using? I'm not sure how keys work in the bios so I could be wrong.

Anyway, I tried connecting his hard drive to my computer through this usb thing and it just crashes my explorer whenever I try to access the drive. I'm going to try connecting it directly tomorrow. So far, could this be a sign of something wrong with the hard drive itself?

Yep, I suggest to try to scan the disk for errors if it can be recognized.

Diagnostics Test

 HDD TEST

Run SeaTools to check the integrity of your HDD. SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use - Windows 7 Help Forums

   Note

Do not run SeaTools on an SSD as the results will be invalid.

Run chkdsk
Disk Check - Windows 7 Help Forums

Run HDTune to

• scan for errors, no quick scan but full scan
• check the health,
• benchmark.

It may take some time, but please take the time you need to perform it properly.
Let me know what the results are

• of the error scan,
• make a screenshot of the health of every hard drive and post the screenshots,
• post screenshots with the benchmark of the
  • transfer rate,
  • access time,
  • burst rate,
  • cpu usage.

 

[Danielzxzx]

Wouldn't the key in the bios be for Windows 8 and not for Windows 7 which he currently is using? I'm not sure how keys work in the bios so I could be wrong.

Anyway, I tried connecting his hard drive to my computer through this usb thing and it just crashes my explorer whenever I try to access the drive. I'm going to try connecting it directly tomorrow. So far, could this be a sign of something wrong with the hard drive itself?

Yep, I suggest to try to scan the disk for errors if it can be recognized.

Diagnostics Test

 HDD TEST

Run SeaTools to check the integrity of your HDD. SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use - Windows 7 Help Forums

   Note

Do not run SeaTools on an SSD as the results will be invalid.

Run chkdsk
Disk Check - Windows 7 Help Forums

Run HDTune to

• scan for errors, no quick scan but full scan
• check the health,
• benchmark.

It may take some time, but please take the time you need to perform it properly.
Let me know what the results are

• of the error scan,
• make a screenshot of the health of every hard drive and post the screenshots,
• post screenshots with the benchmark of the
  • transfer rate,
  • access time,
  • burst rate,
  • cpu usage.

Ok I'll take a look at it. Thanks.

A Windows 8 key will not activate Windows 7.

I wouldn't be using the Windows 8 key. I'm installing Windows 8 as it is what the laptop originally had so since the key would be in the bios it should activate automatically? Also this way I'm able to get into the computer to be able to run that problem to get keys but this time point it to the folder located in "Windows.old" which would contain the installation of what he was using before, Windows 7. And then I reinstall back to Windows 7 which he prefers and use the new key I just received.

I just want to make sure doing that would work before I go ahead.

 

[axe0]

Windows 8 will be activated automatically yes.

I don't know how the program works, I can't really say if what you want to try will or won't work.

 

[Danielzxzx]

I use this problem called JellyBean Keyfinder. It has the option to get the keys from other installation from the windows folder. So as long as it keeps the installation of Windows 7, I should be able to get it.

Now if that fails, at least I will have an activated copy of Windows 8.

I'm having trouble however finding out what version the laptop came with. Are you able to see if you can find out?

Toshiba Satellite C850
Part No. PSCBWC-0EK00J

Also, will it work for Windows 8.1? I've never used Windows 8 and 8.1 before so I'm not sure how it works. The lap came with Windows 8 but not 8.1. So would the key in the bios work for 8.1 as the media creation tool is only for 8.1?