Windows 8 laptop stuck in Auto-repair loop.

[baker72]

My brother has an Asus laptop (ASUS X55A) which we've been having trouble with for quite some time.
Right now the laptop is stuck on the 'Repairing disk errors' screen in an infinite loop. It will show that screen for a while; then either reboot and go back to it, or crash and reboot back to it. I'm not sure if it's constantly crashing/rebooting during this. I just know that when I had it set out for a couple hours yesterday, it reset or crashed a couple of times while I was watching it.

What I've done so far:
When the issue first started, we did a factory reset after dealing with the random BSODs and app crashes. This lasted a few months until it started screwing up again. Eventually becoming unusable, so we did a refresh. It got screwy within a few days so we wiped/reset it again after trying to fix the error. Now, It's back at the same problem again.

I have done a hard reset and used the Windows 8 repair disk to get to the Advanced Startup options, but I can't get into Safe Mode from there with the repair disk to retrieve any files from the laptop. The only thing I have is the saved reliability history report from before the last wipe. He also has an essay he could use from the HDD.

Before it was unable to boot, I did complete scans with both Malware Bytes/Avira and they came up clean.

Before the last wipe, I did a couple of 'Chkdsk' scans and the HDD was coming up with a small amount of kb in bad sectors; if that means anything.

My only guess is that the HDD is corrupt and needs replacing, or (less likely) bad RAM. I can't test the RAM with Memtest because the laptop won't recognize and boot from the CD when it's in. However, Windows' build-in memory test showed no errors.

I'm at a loss of what to do next and would appreciate any help. I will also try to add any more information if needed.


UPDATE 2/24/14: Just gonna do a update since this thread got a somewhat high view count; Unfortunately, I never could fix it and had to take it to a PC repair shop to get it fixed along with supplying a new HDD for it. The reason I couldn't just re-install Windows 8 is because the product key (from what I remember) was locked somewhere in BIOS and not anywhere (physically) on the laptop.

 

[baker72]

After fiddling I managed to get a command prompt up through the advanced recovery options. I did a chkdsk for c: and now it says there are 224KB in bad sectors.

 

[MeneerWitte]

Kindly I ask your attention.

Windows 8 or 8.1?

Pre-Installed, Download Installation, Upgraded or Installation Disk?

You don't know, ask the one how did the installation.

When you have real issues with your system like you have, I wouldn't trust it in any way!

Did you try with Command Prompt of the Recovery Disk or Installation Disk?

Did you try (on another system you trust) install Bootable software on a Bootable Medium/Memory Card/USB-Stick?

There are some programs that can do the needed checkes, instead of Windows. These are Bootable, make surten the BIOS has being set to 'Other OS' or 'Windows and Other OS' and at Boot or USB you might find an option to set an USB device (PnP) to Boot from, or 'PnP OS'.

It's good to know your system, so.......

Take a look here:

https://www.google.nl/#q=ASUS+X55A+manual

https://www.google.nl/#q=ASUS+X55A+BIOS+manual

Did you try:

https://www.google.nl/#q=sfc+%2Fscannow+windows+8

Try to find Bootable software when possible:

https://www.google.nl/#q=list+best+free+bootalbe+RAM+test+software

https://www.google.nl/#q=List+best+free+bootable+HDD+test+and+repair+software

https://www.google.nl/#q=How+to+save+a+bad+HDD+with+low+bad+sectors%3F

https://www.google.nl/#q=How+to+keep+using+a+bad+HDD+with+low+bad+sectors%3F

Now you have something to do and I will look into it later.

When you have it fixed, let us known 'How & What'?

Hopefully I let you known enough, that you will find the answers you seek!

Good luck and have fun doing it!

Best Regards,

MeneerWitte

 

[baker72]

I believe it is just Windows 8; The only time we updated to Win 8.1 was before the first wipe.
I have tried to do a sfc /scannow but I only get a message like this : "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation".
I burned Hiren's Boot to a CD to try and boot from it, but I can't boot from the CD. I even tried following guides to disable secure boot; yet I can't disable it, I can only change to "Custom" or "Enabled".

I'm considering wiping it and doing all the necessary HDD scans from there, as my brother no longer needs any files from the HDD.

 

[MeneerWitte]

I believe it is just Windows 8; The only time we updated to Win 8.1 was before the first wipe.
I have tried to do a sfc /scannow but I only get a message like this : "Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation".
I burned Hiren's Boot to a CD to try and boot from it, but I can't boot from the CD. I even tried following guides to disable secure boot; yet I can't disable it, I can only change to "Custom" or "Enabled".

I'm considering wiping it and doing all the necessary HDD scans from there, as my brother no longer needs any files from the HDD.

Kindly I ask your attention.

You could do this, but still you need to get some stuff working.
You say you couldn't start the Hiren's Boot, did you try to download and burned the Windows 8(?) x?? Recovery Disk?

http://www.bing.com/search?q=windows%208%20recovery%20disk%20download%20asus&pc=cosp&ptag=AC70C20CFA11F4D319EF&form=CONMHP&conlogo=CT3210127

Or:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=How+to+reset+the+ASUS+X55A%3F&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=how+to+reset+the+asus+x55a%3F&sc=0-9&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=9320bb886ac940288f92d7f4fd1b9c65

Or try an OpenSource LIve OS, no need to install. It loads from disk and there are Windows Live CD/DVD availlable too:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Windows+Live+CD+download&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=windows+live+cd+download&sc=0-16&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=f35b7b27f5964150b9c4c48598c74c04

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Linux+Live+CD+download&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=linux+live+cd+download&sc=1-22&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=18f00193ca2843199ea30f3f9d21057c

Lets say it's the HDD:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=HDD+Repaire+Live+CD+download&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=hdd+repaire+live+cd+download&sc=0-22&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=40b1fd4249814f769a3025e05f6609c9

No matter what, you need the laptop active and you can't you say.

I would have changed it anyway and kep the old HDD and try to repair it and install it external. Put some movies on it and nothing more. You know, nothing importend.
And I would buy one that can hold Windows and some storage. No need to have a Tera HDD. Try to look for a Refurbished one if you like. Try to get one as close as it can be, this in case you have to send it back. There are sellers that give garanty of 3 and 6 month, so take your time to find it.

Hopefully I let you known enough, that you will find the answers you seek!

Good luck & have fun doing it and that you will enjoy your laptop soon!

Best Regards,

MeneerWitte

 

[MeneerWitte]

What kind of ASUS X55A do you have?

ASUS X55A JH91 or ASUS X55A-SX112H or ?

 

[baker72]

It is an X55A HPD122J. Windows 8 came pre-installed.

My brother decided to reset to factory settings to see how it would turn out. I managed to perform a scan using Seagate HDD scanner and when doing the Long Generic test, it failed.
However, I'm now at a new problem. Whenever I boot, it displays one of these texts: "Non-System disk or Disk Error. Replace and press any key when ready" ; "Reboot and Select proper Boot device".

I tried going into the BIOS to change the boot device to HDD, but there's no obvious options for it. I have also tried using the repair disk to get to the advanced startup menu or whatever it's called. Yet, I only get a black screen from it.

 

[MeneerWitte]

It is an X55A HPD122J. Windows 8 came pre-installed.

My brother decided to reset to factory settings to see how it would turn out. I managed to perform a scan using Seagate HDD scanner and when doing the Long Generic test, it failed.
However, I'm now at a new problem. Whenever I boot, it displays one of these texts: "Non-System disk or Disk Error. Replace and press any key when ready" ; "Reboot and Select proper Boot device".

I tried going into the BIOS to change the boot device to HDD, but there's no obvious options for it. I have also tried using the repair disk to get to the advanced startup menu or whatever it's called. Yet, I only get a black screen from it.

Kindly I ask your attention.

I think you need to get a new HDD and try to get a program that can filter out bad sectors, so you can use the good sectors of the HDD that has errors.

Look for a refurbished one, preferbly bought nearby (incase you need to return, cheapest). Ask Google to look for you.

You have to look for it yourself, I get different out come, like:

http://www.replacedirect.nl/category/227023-111956/asus-x55a-laptop-harde-schijven.html?prrel=9041588#

Use phrases like:

Refurbished HDD for an ASUS X55A HPD122J

Or,

ASUS X55A HPD122J refurbished HDD

I looked, but it looks like you should ask a retailer or Asus Which HDD's can be placed. When you want to have Vidoe's and Games installed on it, have atleast 500GB or so.

http://www.manualowl.com/m/Asus/X55A/Manual/284720

Save the manual and see at page 59, there you will find information about 'How to replace the HDD?'.

When the HDD has being removed, you will find information on the HDD to find a Refurbished, secondhand or new one. You could try to find a (Firmname/Type/Model/Storage size) replacement too, just type it in Google. Might be that you want a bigger one, just change the Storage size and when found a bigger new one, try Refurbished.

Well,

The only question that remains is:

Do you have a Recovery Disk?

Do you have a Recovery Disk (created after the Windows installation by your brother)?

Does he still have the Original Recovery Disk (created from first use, with the first Windows installation)?

Or do you have a Firm Recovery Disk or simular to it?

When the HDD has being replaced, you need to reinstall it all again.

When you had to reinstall it to a previous state of Windows, after you upgraded the Windows version, create a new Recovery Disk!

Hopefully I let you known enough, that you will find the answers you seek!

Good luck & have fun doing it!

Best Regards,

MeneerWitte

 

[Rose Sasaki]

Boot From Your Windows 8 Installation Media

Insert a Windows 8 DVD, or a flash drive with the Windows 8 installation files on it, into your computer.

Tip: You can borrow someone else's Windows 8 disc or other media if you need to. You're not installing or reinstalling Windows 8, you're just accessing Advanced Startup Options - no product key or license breaking required.

Boot from the disc or boot from the USB device, whatever your situation calls for.

From the Windows Setup screen, tap or click on Next.

Tap or click on the Repair your computer link at the bottom of the window.

Advanced Startup Options will start, almost immediately.

Troubleshoot

Advance Options

Command prompt

disabling the loop via Command Prompt.
Type bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled NO
and press ENTER Key.
If the message reads "The operation completed successfully", then Automatic Repair will not appear.

and try to reset your computer.

 

[Teon Daniels]

i was using my windows8 pc and then it shutdown automatically then everytime it come on it just showing preparing automatic repair then after it leave a blank screen. so i want to know what is the problem with it.