Windows 8x reinstall

[BlackHawk1]

Hi. A friend of mine purchased a used HP Omni 120 desktop all in one computer that came with Windows 8. There is a problem...

the previous owners girlfriend messed with it and I see that while the recovery partition is there it is empty so I can't use that to restore it to factory. It's also polluted with malware. I have an official MS Windows 8.1 iso I made and I have used that in the past a few times to restore some computers. I put that disk in this computer and thought I'd get it to reinstall Win8 easily, but that's not the case. I get stuck with a driver issue. I have a screen shot below of what happens. Any ideas of what I need to do to get past this and get Windows back on here? Thanks!

 

[bonehead123]

Simple, use another computer to download the driver to a flash drive and insert it when prompted like in your pic

 

[BlackHawk1]

I have no idea what the driver could be

 

[bonehead123]

Go to hp website....d/l all of the drivers for that model onto flash drive, insert when prompted, click browse and select and install each one until you get the one installed that let's you proceed with the windows install........

 

[redeye]

what it means is... to remove the usb that you are using so the install can complete.

i got the error while i was using an USB iso, so i knew that it was not a driver issue. I just removed the USB stick, and continued...


(OR remove the disc, i guess. )

or, make a USB iso... and install as i did...

 

[BlackHawk1]

I am not installing from a USB (Flash drive) I am using an iso that's on a DVD. I think I need that to be in the drive for the install to take place. If I remove the disk at the point I get the driver message how would Win8 install?

 

[BlackHawk1]

I backed up all of the drivers to a flash drive with Driver Genius. I allowed the install of Win8 to scan all of the drivers on that flash drive and I got this message at the end...

"No new device drivers were found. Make sure the installation media contains the correct drivers and then click OK."

 

[newtekie1]

I've gotten that before when the disc I was trying to use was damaged.

 

[BlackHawk1]

I read about damage to the disc, but this thing is perfect looking, not a scratch on it.

 

[qubit]

I read about damage to the disc, but this thing is perfect looking, not a scratch on it.

Doesn't matter, it can still be a duff disc, especially if it's some cheap no-name brand. It can also be that the optical drive is failing or not very good, which can give the same error.

Create another DVD and see how it goes. You can also create a USB drive with the Windows installer on it and boot off that. Use Rufus to get it on there.

https://rufus.akeo.ie

 

[R-T-B]

It's not the disc. You are missing some sort of storage driver.

 

[BlackHawk1]

It's not the disc... I just made another Win8 iso with a Verbatim brand DVD and I get the same issue. I am now going to let the install scan the drivers I backed up to the flash drive once again! This is so frustrating.

 

[qubit]

It's not the disc... I just made another Win8 iso with a Verbatim brand DVD and I get the same issue. I am now going to let the install scan the drivers I backed up to the flash drive once again! This is so frustrating.

Sounds like it might not be a bad disc or drive then, but it's not ruled out. But still, try putting the installer on the USB stick like I suggested. It's quick and easy to do and will rule out the possibility of a bad drive and/or disc. It will also install a lot faster.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Log into bios

Set sata ports to legacy support (if able to )
Try install again

I dont think its got to do anything with the disc scatched or cd rom issue , more like no driver for sata controller not imbedded on the iso

Pretty sure legacy boot should solve issue

 

[jsfitz54]

Did you, delete all the partitions, format entire disk and then reload Windows?

EDIT:
Also, just load Windows 8.1 ISO and put in the Windows 8 Key.
If the key won't activate, do a repair install from W8.1 desktop to activate it.

 

[BlackHawk1]

I was under the impression that since this computer has USB 2.0 ports and no 3.0 ports legacy doesn't matter. Is that the case? I am providing some screenshots that hopefully help you see what I did...

 

[BlackHawk1]

Did you, delete all the partitions, format entire disk and then reload Windows?

EDIT:
Also, just load Windows 8.1 ISO and put in the Windows 8 Key.
If the key won't activate, do a repair install from W8.1 desktop to activate it.

No I didn't... I didn't want to format the drive to 1 large partition just yet, even though the recovery partition is empty. Hmm I also worry... this Win8 OEM key may not work with this Win8.1 disc? And you are saying it will if I face an activation issue I just do a repair and it reverts from 8.1 to a clean install of 8? This is a little worrisome as I am not sure.

 

[qubit]

No I didn't... I didn't want to format the drive to 1 large partition just yet, even though the recovery partition is empty.

Ah, there's your reason for the error message. I assumed you'd blanked the disc. You need to do this (just delete all partitions from within the installer) or you'll likely be on a hiding to nothing. Forget about that empty partition as it does nothing for you.

As long as you have a product key to go with that Windows disc then it will activate. At the very most you'll have to do a phone activation if you've activated it on another system recently. If you don't have a key, then you need to buy one if it's a retail disc. If an OEM disc, then use the key stuck to the computer.

 

[BlackHawk1]

Ah, there's your reason for the error message. I assumed you'd blanked the disc. You need to do this (just delete all partitions from within the installer) or you'll likely be on a hiding to nothing. Forget about that empty partition as it does nothing for you.

As long as you have a product key to go with that Windows disc then it will activate. At the very most you'll have to do a phone activation if you've activated it on another system recently. If you don't have a key, then you need to buy one if it's a retail disc. If an OEM disc, then use the key stuck to the computer.

I too thought that the OEM key would work as I believe I have done this in the past on 8. However a HP forum helper said this which worries me...

"the HP OEM product key on this PC is most likely NOT going to work to activate the Win8.1 you install from the ISO"

This computer as far as I know came with Win8 and was upgraded to Win8.1. Does this play a factor in activating it?

Delete the partitions within the installer? Using the Win8.1 disc I created with the MS media creation tool? Hmm... I'm not sure I saw that option. Is that under "repair"?

 

[jsfitz54]

And you are saying it will if I face an activation issue I just do a repair and it reverts from 8.1 to a clean install of 8? This is a little worrisome as I am not sure.

No, you have it wrong. You install 8.1 using the COA key from the desktop. If it does not activate you boot into the desktop, load the 8.1 disk options to do a repair to 8.1 so the activation takes hold. Windows 8 is not in play except for the COA Key.

EDIT: you are doing an additional, second, "repair install" from within the Windows desktop.

Delete the partitions within the installer? Using the Win8.1 disc I created with the MS media creation tool? Hmm... I'm not sure I saw that option. Is that under "repair"?

Use CUSTOM ADVANCED option.

 

[BlackHawk1]

No, you have it wrong. You install 8.1 using the COA key on the laptop. If it does not activate you boot into the desktop, load the 8.1 disk options to do a repair to 8.1 so the activation takes hold. Windows 8 is not in play except for the COA Key.

Say what? There isn't a laptop involved here. It's a desktop, a HP Omni 120 all in one computer.

 

[jsfitz54]

Say what? There isn't a laptop involved here. It's a desktop, a HP Omni 120 all in one computer.

My error, laptop or desktop, process is the same, it's a box of parts.

 

[BlackHawk1]

From my understanding in order to get to the "Custom" install I first have to select "Install" and be able to enter the windows code. Correct? Problem is when I hit install I am never able to enter a OEM code to get to "Custom" because I get the missing driver error that I spoke of originally. The link below shows how to get to Custom and following those steps I can't get there for the reason I stated...

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...lete-guide-to-a-windows-8-clean-installation/

 

[SnakeDoctor]

I was under the impression that since this computer has USB 2.0 ports and no 3.0 ports legacy doesn't matter. Is that the case? I am providing some screenshots that hopefully help you see what I did...

the legacy support is nothing to do with usb port . It the exchange between the old legacy boot and the UEFI boot ( new boot method) on the sata port

So was it able to detect the hdd on install? on legacy boot

I also had an issue with a clients laptop on format , had a windows 8.1 rtm licence key was unable to find an iso to work for that key to activate
Even chatted to Microsoft ,they gave me all the link to the 8.1 iso's they have but non of them worked
The only option would be to contact the brand supplier if unable to get the licence to activate , for a recovery media

NB - make sure save boot setting on bios F10

 

[jsfitz54]

From my understanding in order to get to the "Custom" install I first have to select "Install" and be able to enter the windows code. Correct? Problem is when I hit install I am never able to enter a OEM code to get to "Custom" because I get the missing driver error that I spoke of originally. The link below shows how to get to Custom and following those steps I can't get there for the reason I stated...

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...lete-guide-to-a-windows-8-clean-installation/

Maybe because you didn't delete the old screwed up partitions first!

The only option would be to contact the brand supplier if unable to get the licence to activate , for a recovery media

Plus one, to that. ^^^


EDIT: It sounds like you are trying a repair from inside Windows as compared to booting from disk or usb.

Is there a Bios update you can apply first?

You should be able to go from a Bios load, straight to Windows install off disk or usb, without any special drivers.

If any security encryption was used in the Bios then you need to clear the Bios by pulling the battery or moving jumpers to clear it and start from scratch.