Windows 8 Operating system not found + Files still there...

[anxy99]

I am using Windows 8.1. After getting stuck on a Windows update screen I turned off the computer via the power button.



Long story short, when booting my laptop I get the message 'Operating System Not Found'.



However, I bought a USB HDD Enclosure and plugged it into another computer. All my files, programs and Windows files are still there.



Is there anything I can do to fix this problem without having to wipe the hard drive and running a clean install of Windows?



Thanks in advance,

 

[kemical]

Hi,
if you have the actual win 8.1 disk or a recovery drive you can boot from it and enter the recovery console. Once there you can try the start up repair or if that fails system restore is an option.
This guide is for using recovery media but you can access the same place if you boot from the install disk:

 

[anxy99]

Hello,

I tried 'Start Up Repair' and got 'Startup Repair Couldn't Fix Your PC.'.

I tried System Restore and got the message 'To use System Restore you must specify which installation of Windows you want to restore.'.

I also tried: chkdsk /r, chkdsk/f, bootrec.exe /fixmbr, bootrec.exe /fixboot, bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd and bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

 

[kemical]

I tried System Restore and got the message 'To use System Restore you must specify which installation of Windows you want to restore.'.

Did you try and specify or at least see what your options were?

You could also try and 'Refresh' the os:
How to refresh, reset or restore your PC - Windows Help

 

[BIGBEARJEDI]

Hi anxy99,

This could be a common problem on PCs and laptops. Often after Updates are downloaded, usually via the Tuesday "push" updates from Microsoft, sometimes your BIOS will simply lose track of it's Boot Preference, in other words the Boot Drive device (C: Drive) in Windows. Try accessing your BIOS via F1, F2, DEL, F9, or F10 key on power up of your laptop. There will usually be a logo screen (splash screen) with the laptop maker's logo; i.e. Dell, Acer, Gateway, HP, Toshiba, etc. In the BIOS, go to Boot Preferences and select your Hard Drive, usually the brand of the hard drive is referenced such as WDC (Western Digital) or ST(Seagate), or other in the Model number as well as the capacity such as 500GB, or 1TB, or 3TB, etc. Make sure the hard drive with your Windows on it (the one you put in the external enclosure to test) it is the FIRST device on the list. Other devices might read "CD/DVD Internal Drive", "USB device", or "PXE Network Adapter", etc. Many laptops have a F12 or F9 key or some-such function key to access "BOOT PREFERENCES" directly without having to access the BIOS. These will change it temporarily, and if you select your Hard Drive in the temp "BOOT PREFERENCES" menu, it will work for 1 time--but not after that unless it's set correctly in the BIOS. This method will tell you right away if it's simply a boot preference or boot order issue. Once you know that and your hard drive boots up into Windows ok, you can then figure out how to access your laptop's BIOS and fix the Boot Preference permanently. Once you get your hard drive to boot up into Windows properly, you've then identified your problem, and it's pretty easy to fix. You can download the Owner's Manual from the website of the laptop maker (Dell, Acer, HP) and that will give you details on how to access the BIOS for your particular laptop model.

If this still doesn't work, post back your result, and we'll advise you further.

Best of luck,
<<<BIGBEARJEDI>>>

 

[ussnorway]

Try accessing your BIOS via F1, F2, DEL, F9, or F10 key on power up of your laptop.

fyi on Asus laptops like the S500c you can mesh the [esc] key on powerup to load the 'select boot screen'... and the bios is always the bottom option.

 

[BIGBEARJEDI]

Thanks for the assist, Norway!

BBJ

 

[kemical]

hay quá, thật tuyệt vời

'or so, so wonderful'

What is? Please use English as this is primarily an English speaking forum.