Windows 8 Boot Issues

[mustanggt359]

Hello,

I just want to say that I cant count how many times I've turned to this site for help. Though this is the first time I have ever posted. I received a PC the other day that is having boot issues (Toshiba Laptop) it will load the BIOS but will not boot the OS. It will attempt Automatic Repair but never loads just gets stuck at black screen. Safe mode will not load the (F8) function if that's what we are calling it on Windows 8. Then I created a Windows 8 installer on a thumb drive to attempt repair, that yielded no results only errors. Now I am attempting a clean install but the installation media keeps freezing or has incredibly long load times. I also tried the recovery partition that Toshiba has built in but that also turns up nothing, it must be corrupted or deleted. I am now suspecting a HDD issue with the computer. I am stumped at this point and was looking for some advice. Where should I proceed from here?

Also,

If I am able to perform a clean install will it pull the product key from the previous installation? I believe I read somewhere that it is stored in the hardware for newer PCs???

 

[Austin Johnston]

So first I will admit I don't know exactly what your issue is, like most people when they first look at a problem. You are right with trying a fresh install and to me it does look like it will end up being an HDD issue. Let us know if you CAN get a fresh install. I wouldn't expect the partition fix to work if it is a hardware issue as that will just help with partitions not the physical HDD itself. I would send it back to Toshiba as it seems to be their problem. I know that's the last thing you want to hear but your only other option would be to replace the HDD yourself and with laptops that's a pain as well.

Also if the product key doesn't get recognized right away usually on laptops, haven't bought one in a while honestly, will have it on a sticker somewhere usually on the bottom.

Let us know what happens!

 

[mustanggt359]

So first I will admit I don't know exactly what your issue is, like most people when they first look at a problem. You are right with trying a fresh install and to me it does look like it will end up being an HDD issue. Let us know if you CAN get a fresh install. I wouldn't expect the partition fix to work if it is a hardware issue as that will just help with partitions not the physical HDD itself. I would send it back to Toshiba as it seems to be their problem. I know that's the last thing you want to hear but your only other option would be to replace the HDD yourself and with laptops that's a pain as well.

Also if the product key doesn't get recognized right away usually on laptops, haven't bought one in a while honestly, will have it on a sticker somewhere usually on the bottom.

Let us know what happens!

The PC is out of warranty, If the problem is the hdd I would like to make sure before I replace it. Is there a program I could run from a flash drive to diagnose the hdd?

 

[Austin Johnston]

Did you reformat the drive? Or were you just trying to wipe and reinstall windows? Usually it will section off bad partitions if that is what is causing the issue. Looking for what I had used to check hdd pre-OS just give me a minute.

Also, did you check to see if BIOS recognizes the HDD?

 

[Austin Johnston]

Haven't used it, but it seems super GRUB disk is the only recommended one I can find for Windows. I think it is primarily for LINUX boot issues but it does say that it works with Windows as well. Also like we had said this is a Pre-OS issue, so I would give it a try, worst case it doesn't do what you need.