Windows 8.1 boot loop problem

[Dan McLeavy]

I've tried fixing this myself but can't think what else to try. None of the forum posts or whatever I've looked at seem to fix this exact problem. Most solutions require being able to boot Windows, which is the issue in the first place...

What's been done:
- Backup system image onto external HDD
- Migrated entire internal HDD to new Samsung 840 evo SSD using Samsung's software that came with the drive. (System recognised the SSD as the new C: drive)
- Deleted documents/pictures/music from SSD and programs from HDD

Problem:
- Restarted computer and startup repair began
- System decides it doesn't work and reboot loop begins (It gets past the windows and ASUS logos and the "Press Del for BIOS" screen then decides to reboot)
- Managed to get onto UEFI BIOS, boot priority set to optical drive, SSD then HDD
- Can't get safe mode to work (which, frankly, is really stupid of UEFI. Unless there's a trick I'm missing?)
- Tried restarting and booting from the Windows installation disk to get the repair install to work, it gets to the first setup screen and then reboots before I have chance to click "repair" or "install" or much of anything at all.

Some Googling of the issue seemed to suggest trying to get another PC's Windows 8/8.1 and "Create repair drive" from it. I tried this with a usb drive and I had the same happen as with the installation disk. I even tried disabling the 2 internal drives so that the system had no other place to boot from, that didn't work and now I can't find where to enable them again.

I was thinking if I can just get into Windows (somehow) then I can to a system restore from the backup onto the SSD and everything would be just fine, or am I being naive?

Hope this is enough information to help solve it, sorry I can't provide screen shots and thanks in advance to anyone with bright ideas.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Two things. I always recommend a clean install when changing from HDD to SSD regardless that the utilities to clone the image are available from most OEMs. There are too many differences in controller and device driver structure to guarantee a clean transition in all cases.

Make sure AHCI is enabled in the BIOS and reinstall windows with no other hard drives connected during the install. Choose the Custom option during the install, delete ALL existing partititions, recreate a single partition and choose that partition to install to during the process.

Windows 8 clean install: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Windows 8 advanced startup options (Including Safe mode):

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/open-advanced-startup-options-windows-8.htm