All was well for the first two days. Then I started getting display driver not responding errors. I dutifully updated drivers. Didn't help and I stated getting crashes to a blank screen. Then I stated getting an error that computer did not shut down properly but when I tried to reboot I kept getting the same error. Basically caught in some wired loop. Tried booting from the disk and use the repair tools. Tools didn't work. So decided to reinstall windows but computer again during that process. Now I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
So I think I need to nuke from orbit and reinstall but I think I need to do that from a command prompt. So now the question, how do I remove windows from the ssd drive from the command prompt?
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 09:55:32 AM
All was well for the first two days. Then I started getting display driver not responding errors. I dutifully updated drivers. Didn't help and I stated getting crashes to a blank screen. Then I stated getting an error that computer did not shut down properly but when I tried to reboot I kept getting the same error. Basically caught in some wired loop. Tried booting from the disk and use the repair tools. Tools didn't work. So decided to reinstall windows but computer again during that process. Now I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
So I think I need to nuke from orbit and reinstall but I think I need to do that from a command prompt. So now the question, how do I remove windows from the ssd drive from the command prompt?
Personally I'd be taking it back to ths shop since that's what you paid the money for them to do.
But if you need to "Nuke it from orbit"... there's no need to bother with a command prompt these days. I had to re-install Windows when I botched updating the USB drivers.
What you need to do is make sure you have install media for Windows - either a DVD or USB thumb drive. Then go into your UEFI/BIOS (hold down whatever key is shown on the splash key) and set to boot off of your DVD or thumb drive. Then restart. Your computer will boot off of your install drive, and just follow the prompts from that point.
Quote from: Barrister on October 22, 2015, 10:22:46 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 09:55:32 AM
All was well for the first two days. Then I started getting display driver not responding errors. I dutifully updated drivers. Didn't help and I stated getting crashes to a blank screen. Then I stated getting an error that computer did not shut down properly but when I tried to reboot I kept getting the same error. Basically caught in some wired loop. Tried booting from the disk and use the repair tools. Tools didn't work. So decided to reinstall windows but computer again during that process. Now I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
So I think I need to nuke from orbit and reinstall but I think I need to do that from a command prompt. So now the question, how do I remove windows from the ssd drive from the command prompt?
Then restart. Your computer will boot off of your install drive, and just follow the prompts from that point.
QuoteNow I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
If it was that simple BB, I wouldn't be asking for how to remove windows by using the command prompt.
Okay...
What exactly is happening? Your post said:
QuoteSo decided to reinstall windows but computer again during that process. Now I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
What precisely is happening when you try to restart your computer?
I have a feeling you may have more of a hardware issue than a software one, but let's try to figure this out.
Everytime, I restart, I get a message that says installation was interrupted and telling me to restart. When I try to boot from the disk it takes me to the installation screen and when I try to install from there I get an error message that says I cant install.
Are you attempting to boot from a disc or from a USB drive?
Are you able to access your BIOS/UEFI settings?
In a pinch do you still have your old computer lying around?
Quote from: Barrister on October 22, 2015, 11:41:56 AM
Are you attempting to boot from a disc or from a USB drive?
Are you able to access your BIOS/UEFI settings?
In a pinch do you still have your old computer lying around?
I was attempting to boot from my Windows 10 disk. I don't have a USB with an operating system on it.
I can access the BIOS/UEFI. I changed the setting to boot from the disk rather than the hard drive.
The reason I got this computer is my old one died (I think the motherboard was fried).
Are you able to give the exact wording of the error message you are getting when you go to re-install windows?
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 09:55:32 AM
All was well for the first two days. Then I started getting display driver not responding errors. I dutifully updated drivers. Didn't help and I stated getting crashes to a blank screen. Then I stated getting an error that computer did not shut down properly but when I tried to reboot I kept getting the same error. Basically caught in some wired loop. Tried booting from the disk and use the repair tools. Tools didn't work. So decided to reinstall windows but computer again during that process. Now I am caught in a loop that says installation was interrupted and I need to restart.
So I think I need to nuke from orbit and reinstall but I think I need to do that from a command prompt. So now the question, how do I remove windows from the ssd drive from the command prompt?
Ah, I had weird problems too the other day. And reinstalling Windows did not work. And I remembered too late what Don'tSayBanana said later: in case of random & weird problem, blame the RAM.
So I would take it to the shop you just bought it, tell them your problem, tell them you suspect it's the RAM and ask them kindly to make some tests.
A motherboard problem could also be your cause, but the RAM is cheaper to check first. Either way, it's unlikely to be software.
But if you want to bang your head on the wall a little more, remind me again which motherboard you bought? Was it the Asus Z170? Anyway, not that it would change anything to your problem, but you could try checking your BIOS to see if it's set to boot in EFI mode (it should by default). Look for the BOOT menu in your BIOS, it should be obvious. It will be necessary for a proper installation later anyway. But it shouldn't change anything to your problems.
When Windows starts behaving strangely without reason, it could be a software or a hardware issue, but when it totally fails are reinstallation, it's usually a hardware problem, and the most likely culprit is RAM.
ok, thanks.
I would like to try to reinstall windows first though. Any tips about that?
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:10:26 PM
ok, thanks.
I would like to try to reinstall windows first though. Any tips about that?
But you did try to re-install Windows, and it didn't work.
I mentioned up above I suspect you're having a hardware problem. Re-installing Windows is actually an easy process.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:10:26 PM
ok, thanks.
I would like to try to reinstall windows first though. Any tips about that?
There's no way to install Windows from the command prompt on a new computer that I know of. You can repair a Windows installation from the command prompt, but that rarely works in my experience. And since you don't have a working installation of Windows, that's no use.
You need to boot on a DVD/USB key and start the installation from there. You erase all partitions on your SSD, than you have Windows do a full format of the drive (look at the options), then you proceed with the install. It could have been possible that a hard drive had a bad sector who could cause problem, but on a SSD, it's highly unlikely. This works or doesn't work, just like a RAM stick.
How do I erase everything from the SSD?
I think that is the problem. When I boot up, the partial install is detected and it just goes into the loop of telling me to restart.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:23:19 PM
How do I erase everything from the SSD?
I think that is the problem. When I boot up, the partial install is detected and it just goes into the loop of telling me to restart.
It's part of the install process. One of the first steps.
Quote from: Barrister on October 22, 2015, 01:24:22 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:23:19 PM
How do I erase everything from the SSD?
I think that is the problem. When I boot up, the partial install is detected and it just goes into the loop of telling me to restart.
It's part of the install process. One of the first steps.
But since the installation process isn't doing that, I need to find another way.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:23:19 PM
How do I erase everything from the SSD?
I think that is the problem. When I boot up, the partial install is detected and it just goes into the loop of telling me to restart.
boot from the USB/DVD. When you boot, I think F2 or F12 opens the boot menu, you select your DVD/USB (where your installation medias is), then it will reproceed as a normal Windows installation. Once there, when you select where you want Windows to be installed, you have a choice of formating or recreating partitions (maybe "Advanced"? gosh, I can't remember...), there you delete the partition on your SSD, than recreate a new one, than ask Windows to format it.
This is for WIn7, but Win8 should be similar:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/windows-7-install.html
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:27:35 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 22, 2015, 01:24:22 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 01:23:19 PM
How do I erase everything from the SSD?
I think that is the problem. When I boot up, the partial install is detected and it just goes into the loop of telling me to restart.
It's part of the install process. One of the first steps.
But since the installation process isn't doing that, I need to find another way.
If you can not even get there in the installation process by following my instructions, you have a hardware problem.
One problem solved-I had to convert the drive to GPT. Windows is now loading. Fingers crossed. Wierd that it needed to be converted. I must have done something stupid when I was poking around last night.
So the next problem. Windows seemed to instal ok but it cannot detect my network hardware and so no internet connection. Also windows does not accept my product key anymore...
Network means you need to download the most recent network drivers from your MB company.
Product key... it took me to log in and talk to MS to get an new PK.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 22, 2015, 11:40:16 PM
So the next problem. Windows seemed to instal ok but it cannot detect my network hardware and so no internet connection. Also windows does not accept my product key anymore...
Windows only ships with limited generic network drivers. Just use another computer to download the networking drivers from the motherboard maker's website, and put the installer on a flash drive. Beeb's right about the product key- once you change the motherboard or processor, you have to contact Microsoft to get them to transfer the license to the new hardware. It's just their way of making sure single-use OS discs are actually being used only for a single computer.
Thanks, I found the install disk that came with the motherboard and used that to install the missing drivers. Rebooted. Everything was fine. Network detected. Internet connection working. Started to update my video card drivers. Then all hell started breaking lose again. Screen started doing crazy things and then another crash.
So I am guessing there is something faulty with the motherboard. Not sure what would screw up only after the drivers were installed but I will drop the box off at the store this morning and let them figure it out.
Thanks for your help all.
Happy to report no hassles with NCIX, the tech said it was probably the video card but it might also be the RAM and maybe even a combination of both. He said he would fully test it. He really liked the parts Viper had picked out for me :) and said he would put this at the front of work list to get it back asap.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 23, 2015, 11:50:25 AM
Happy to report no hassles with NCIX, the tech said it was probably the video card but it might also be the RAM and maybe even a combination of both. He said he would fully test it. He really liked the parts Viper had picked out for me :) and said he would put this at the front of work list to get it back asap.
:thumbsup: Good to hear!
I'm surprised you really bothered to try and fix it yourself, since you weren't interested in building it yourself.
:)
Turns out it was a faulty video card which NCIX has now replaced.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 28, 2015, 09:46:20 AM
Turns out it was a faulty video card which NCIX has now replaced.
VRAM can do just as weird stuff as DD-RAM. :P Glad you got it sorted.
So one more oddity I cant figure out. The reason my windows key doesnt work is because I installed pro when I was reinstalling windows instead of home. Which is kind of weird because I only have a home disk. In any event the guy at the store told me to reinstall the home windows version from my disk, but when I try to do that the only option I get is to install pro.
I don't know what to tell you other than to google your issue.
I had an odd situation last night. My start menu wouldn't open. Neither would the search box. Which is kind of important as that is how you access most of your software, together with how you shutdown your computer.
Anyways I googled it, found a couple of suggestions on windows support. I was not the first person to have this problem. I had to use a keyboard shortcut to open up the command line, then give it the command to restart. It took a very long time to restart, but then everything was working fine.
Google did not help unfortunately. The only solution I found was reverting to a previous version of windows, which I cannot do. I think I am going to have to phone someone at Microsoft to see what they think.
By Windows key you mean serial key, right?
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 28, 2015, 07:33:45 PM
So one more oddity I cant figure out. The reason my windows key doesnt work is because I installed pro when I was reinstalling windows instead of home. Which is kind of weird because I only have a home disk. In any event the guy at the store told me to reinstall the home windows version from my disk, but when I try to do that the only option I get is to install pro.
don't waste time, call Microsoft support.
You can not easily revert from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 7 home, unless you wipe the disk clean. So, forget about that, call MS, have them fix the serial# issue for you.
Quote from: viper37 on October 29, 2015, 03:04:53 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 28, 2015, 07:33:45 PM
So one more oddity I cant figure out. The reason my windows key doesnt work is because I installed pro when I was reinstalling windows instead of home. Which is kind of weird because I only have a home disk. In any event the guy at the store told me to reinstall the home windows version from my disk, but when I try to do that the only option I get is to install pro.
don't waste time, call Microsoft support.
You can not easily revert from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 7 home, unless you wipe the disk clean. So, forget about that, call MS, have them fix the serial# issue for you.
Yup. I had to do that. They were quite helpful.
Are you able to log into your computer at all? If so you can do an online chat - virtually no waiting involved.
So you recall where I find the link to start the chat?
The computer works fine. I just want to have a legit copy running.
Quote from: crazy canuck on October 29, 2015, 03:25:28 PM
So you recall where I find the link to start the chat?
The computer works fine. I just want to have a legit copy running.
Ah - that was exactly the problem I had.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10
Then follow the link to Contact Support. You'll need to make a Microsoft Account.
Do it when you have a little bit of time - it maybe took me an hour. They remote logged into the computer for a portion of it.
Thanks, greatly appreciated.
Quote from: Barrister on October 29, 2015, 11:46:41 AM
I don't know what to tell you other than to google your issue.
I had an odd situation last night. My start menu wouldn't open. Neither would the search box. Which is kind of important as that is how you access most of your software, together with how you shutdown your computer.
Anyways I googled it, found a couple of suggestions on windows support. I was not the first person to have this problem. I had to use a keyboard shortcut to open up the command line, then give it the command to restart. It took a very long time to restart, but then everything was working fine.
When in doubt, I usually pull the power cable out to shut the computer down :blush:
Quote from: Monoriu on October 29, 2015, 09:05:12 PM
Quote from: Barrister on October 29, 2015, 11:46:41 AM
I don't know what to tell you other than to google your issue.
I had an odd situation last night. My start menu wouldn't open. Neither would the search box. Which is kind of important as that is how you access most of your software, together with how you shutdown your computer.
Anyways I googled it, found a couple of suggestions on windows support. I was not the first person to have this problem. I had to use a keyboard shortcut to open up the command line, then give it the command to restart. It took a very long time to restart, but then everything was working fine.
When in doubt, I usually pull the power cable out to shut the computer down :blush:
Well I didn't do that, but I did shut it off using the main power switch a couple of times. Didn't seem to work. I think (given how fast the system reboots) that Win 10 must retain its system status in memory normally.
Quote from: Barrister on October 29, 2015, 11:46:41 AM
I don't know what to tell you other than to google your issue.
I had an odd situation last night. My start menu wouldn't open. Neither would the search box. Which is kind of important as that is how you access most of your software, together with how you shutdown your computer.
Anyways I googled it, found a couple of suggestions on windows support. I was not the first person to have this problem. I had to use a keyboard shortcut to open up the command line, then give it the command to restart. It took a very long time to restart, but then everything was working fine.
Sorry, I missed this. Yeah, it's apparently a known bug from Windows.