Windows 8 Recovery Drive will not reinstall OS

[Ztruker]

I created the Windows 8 Recovery Flash Drive:





Disconnected my SATA drives and installed a 128GB SSD. When I boot the flash drive, it runs for a bit then says missing a critical partition (or something like that).

I had to disable Secure Boot to boot the flash drive. Do I need to initialize the SSD first? What I expect when done is for it to look like this:

 

[SIW2]

If that is an oem image from the recov partition, it probably wants to restore to the exact same configuration.

You can get probably get around it by creating the volumes, applying the wim , fixing the drive letter, and then adding it to bcd.

 

[Ztruker]

What good is the recovery flash drive then? If the hard drive dies and I replace it, I expect the recovery flash drive to install whatever is needed so Windows 8 boots and runs correctly again.

I need to contact Lenovo and see what they expect me to do.

 

[theog]

Try using the Lenovo Windows 8 Recovery DVD.

How to make Lenovo Windows 8 Recovery DVD
Lenovo Solution Center shows CD/DVD recovery media for Microsoft Windows 8 - ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, ThinkPad, IdeaPad, IdeaCentre

 

[Ztruker]

Theog, that's how I created the recovery flash drive. It doesn't work as I mentioned above. I wonder if I can order the recovery DVD fromn Lenovo? So far I have not had any luck find how to do this on their web site. Guess I need to callthem.

 

[theog]

Did you try making the DVD's?

You can Order Lenovo Recovery Disks from here:
Lenovo Support - Home (US)
Click on Parts & Accessories.

 

[Ztruker]

There is no way to create DVDS, only flash drive.

I called Lenovo and talked them into sending me a recovery DVD for free once I explaind that the recovery flash drive did not work when installing a new drive.

I was able to clone my SATA to the 128GB SSD, details here: Want to install a 128GB SSD

Just realized I started this on the Windows 7 forum! Oh well.

 

[theog]

The Lenovo OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app, srceenshot shows DVD's.

 

[Ztruker]

I know, but it doesn't actually give you that choice. All it give you is a flash drive. See the 2nd scrren capture in my 1st post in this thread.

 

[theog]

The srceenshots in post one, are the MS Windows 8 Recovery Flash Drive app, not the Lenovo OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app.

 

[Ztruker]

Ah, sorry. Looked at the web site you pointed to:

Lenovo Solution Center shows CD/DVD recovery media for Microsoft Windows 8 - ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, ThinkPad, IdeaPad, IdeaCentre
Symptom
When running Lenovo Solution Center in Microsoft Windows 8, a graphic text appears that suggests it is possible to create a factory recovery media CD or DVD. This action is not possible and the only way to create recovery media on Microsoft Windows 8 is by using a USB memory key.

Solution The only way to create recovery media on Microsoft Windows 8 is by using a USB memory key.

I'm not trying to fight you on this. I really have tried to create DVD recovery and it can't be done as far as I can see.

 

[gregrocker]

As with Win7 the Clean Install - Windows 8 is a vastly superior install to the factory bloatware preinstall. Use the same approach as with Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get and keep a perfect install.

 

[theog]

For examlpe one my grand kid's new SONY Notebook with Windows 8 Pro Pre-installed, you can make DVD's, or USB, both.