W10 HP Laptop No Boot

[howto]

Laptop is a HP Pavilion Laptop t0e0ua#aba (15-ab243cl)
Wife purchased Oct 2015
Came with Windows 10 Home

Will not boot into Windows 10.
 

What I know...
- is a UEFI system, has a EFI boot volume

- BIOS has no options to reset UEFI
- Unknown if HDD is MBR or GPT
- HDD passes SMART
- Obvious FS corruption
- Unknown where BCD resides
- HDD is not easy access
- no idea what caused this issue
 

What I want...
- Recover, fix, keep apps + data
(there is no system bkup image)
(there are system restore points)
- I DO NOT WANT to re-install the OS  <<<<
 

I have a USB 3.0 1TB Portable HDD on order,
it will arrive on June 28'th (my time USA EST)
I must bkup existing disk before attempting repairs.
 

What I request...
help, suggestions from experienced members.
I am very tech, not a newbie, please be detailed.
Again, I seek to recover, not to re-install this OS.

--- Details of Issue ---
Upon startup
goes to blue screen with the un-happy face
indicates something wrong,
I select 'attempt to fix'
- fails 'unmountable boot volume'
 

Laptop has the HP one touch recovery
- it failed, said
- 'No-Boot-Device'
- 'install a OS'
 

Use 'Hiren Boot CD' on a USB thumb...
- mini XP will not load
- Partition Magic will not load
- Linux rescue environ will not load
- Some 'DOS' apps will run, most will not run
 

Use 'Ultimate Boot CD' on a USB thumb...
- will not load
 

Use 'Linux 18 Mint Cinnamon' on a USB thumb...
Runs, even the wifi works

I checked SMART params
- they are perfect, no 'hits' in any field

- use GParted, view the disk partion and volumes...
There are 5 volumes...
vol#    name    label            FS     size     Flag    
- sda1  EFI       ???               ???    260 MB    boot, esp <<<<<<
- sda2  MRP    ???               ???    128 MB    msftres
- sda3  Basic   Windows    ntfs    903 GB    msftdata
- sda4  ???       ???               ntfs    833 MB    diag
- sda5  Basic   Recovery    ntfs    25  GB    diag

2017-06-25_GParted_All-sda.jpg

[RichCor]

You may need to select 'CSM' or 'Legacy' to boot any non-EUFI / GPT USB partitions.

 

I agree, try to create an full image of the drive before doing anything.

I'd also try resetting the BIOS to default. (very odd if this is not available)

 

See if you can boot something that can run hardware diagnostics.

 

Then use a Linux boot to try rebuilding the partitions and files responsible for booting.

[howto]

15 hours ago, RichCor said:

You may need to select 'CSM' or 'Legacy' to boot any non-EUFI / GPT USB partitions.

 

I agree, try to create an full image of the drive before doing anything.

I'd also try resetting the BIOS to default. (very odd if this is not available)

 

See if you can boot something that can run hardware diagnostics.

 

Then use a Linux boot to try rebuilding the partitions and files responsible for booting.

Thanks, RichCor...
I have always enjoyed your replies to others in the past,
clear, concise, to the point.

 

Please be aware, I am 12 hours behind you there in LOS.

 

I did reset the BIOS to Defaults.
No effect

 

Confirmed, the HDD is GPT/UEFI.

 

I have 'Macrium Reflect Free' (MRF)
on my old W7-Ult-x64 desktop.
Created a 'USB Bootable Thumb' for Win10
Works, can see all volumes.
VOL #1 and #2 are disconcerting. They show as 'unformatted partition'.
Attached pic...
2017-06-26_MRF_2.jpg

 

MRF also can do 'chkdsk',
I ran it w/ no params (read only, no fix)
on Vol 3 'C:' the 'Windows' partition...
Errors...
Attached pic...
2017-06-26_MRF_chkdsk C_2.jpg

 

'See if you can boot something that can run hardware diagnostics.'
Was the first thing I did, all failed.

Please, if you have a suggestion for an app that may work, let me know.
Actually, if app states w/ W8 or W8.1 it will likely work on W10.

 

'Then use a Linux boot to try rebuilding the partitions and files responsible for booting.'
Only *nix tried so far was Mint 18 Cinnamon, w/ GParted.
It saw the disk, and vols, did not like sda1 or sda2,
It also has a 'fix' option.
- I will not attempt any fix till I have backups.
- I do not think *nix can 'fix' sda1 or sda2.

 

The startup/boot order should be this...
#1 - bios post
     - ok
#2 - EFI vol #1
     - issue
#3 - vol where the BCD(?) file(s) are
     - i suspect vol 2, issue
#4 - load Win10 sys files from vol 3 'Windows.
     - slight issue, chkdsk can fix that
Anything that breaks the chain will result in 'no boot'.

 

- Ken

 

[RichCor]

The primary goal should be to verify the hardware is testing good.

Then trying to boot a utility that can image the entire drive.

 

If you can't find Microsoft specific utils to identify and correct errors, you can also use Linux to do a lot. This was found on a very quick google search:

 

How to Fix a Corrupted Windows NTFS Filesystem With Ubuntu

Tim Brookes  September 22, 2010 

 

 

[RichCor]

...also suggest seeing what recommendations you'll find doing a google search for:

 

fixing windows ntfs boot issues

 

fixing windows ntfs boot issues with linux

[howto]

RichCor, many thanks...

 

13 hours ago, RichCor said:

The primary goal should be to verify the hardware is testing good.

Then trying to boot a utility that can image the entire drive.

 

If you can't find Microsoft specific utils to identify and correct errors, you can also use Linux to do a lot. This was found on a very quick google search:

 

How to Fix a Corrupted Windows NTFS Filesystem With Ubuntu

Tim Brookes  September 22, 2010 

 

 

While HP Repair throws a 'failed disk',

other utils say it is good. Including SMART.

 

Will use  'Macrium Reflect Free' (MRF) to image.

- sda3 "Windows" (which has issues)

- whole disk

- fix sda3 "Windows" and image again.

- run repairs to fix the no-boot issue

- image whole disk again

 

The link you provided is a good read.

 

As I have a Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon (Ubuntu) which boots fine,

with all devices working, including wifi,

I will use it, and follow directions in that link to add the two apps.

Should work?

 

May I ask,

after installing the two recommended apps...

how do I save these onto this *nix live boot usb drive

so I dont have to do this every time I boot with it?

 

Your Google search string suggestions yield a lot of hits,

read many till my eyes bleed. Remedy,  drink a beer.
 

Again, much appreciation for your help.

- Ken

 

 

[RichCor]

It's too much information, granted.

 

The 'windows', and 'recovery' partition may be salvageable. I'd recommend the other be rebuilt.

 

Windows UEFI/GPT-based systems require SYSTEM, MSR, WINDOWS OS, RECOVERY partitions. 

 

UEFI/GPT-based hard drive partitions
2017-5-2     7 min to read

 

yet another search link for the elusive Windows 10 Live Boot Utility
Google Search:  windows 10 live boot disk utility

 

It would be great if you could get a Windows 10 live boot utility to do this. But if not, then go the Linux util and see what it can do, then when you finally get Windows 10 to boot see what it's utilities make of the repair.

 

Sorry I can't recommend something specific, it's been a long while since I've had to dabble with this stuff. When I first installed Windows 10 (Preview) on my laptop seems I'd experience a hard crash every other week the laptop would need boot partition rescued, or graphic driver stalls bypassed (as Microsoft was still tweaking the preview code base). 

 

Out of frustration I just started using Macrium Reflect to image everything when it was actually running and had the USB flash containing Win PE of Reflect that could instantly take my OS partition back to the date of the last image. Data stored on a separate partition remained good and I could continue as if nothing happened ( ...KHANNN ! ! ! )   Anyway, once back online I could take my time to research the issue.

[howto]

RichCor, again many thanks...

 

Got the USB portable HDD today at 2:45 pm,

 

Macrium Reflect is not happy doing the bkup,
Full Disk, all volumes,
had to ...
- turn off compression
- do sector copy
Says 5+ thousand of hours to complete.
Yet also says 30% complete and hovers at 1.5 hours.

The link(s) you provided ...
UEFI/GPT-based hard drive partitions   <<<<< GOOD READ

 

- and

Google Search:  windows 10 live boot disk utility
https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+10+live+boot+disk+utility

 

Yielded ...
https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/27180-windows-10-recovery-tools-bootable-rescue-disk.html
- Win10 Recovery Tools -Bootable Rescue Disk
- works, boots, just not enough 'tools'
- some work, others don't

 

- and -

Image Health
https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/27180-windows-10-recovery-tools-bootable-rescue-disk.html
- This is what I need, SFC and DISM tools
- however it needs the OS 'live'.

 

There are issues w/ both as
everybody recommends doing the repair w/ a MS Tool.

 

So I've choices to make ...
- hope Macrium Reflect works, if yes, I can't test it.
then
- try to repair with what I have (MS tools)
till it boots (which I doubt)

 

- OR -  

 

Concerning using *nix ...
- I have Linux Mint 18 Sarah-Cinnimon x64 Ubunto which boots perfectly,
I would need to DL/Install 2 apps,

 

- OR -

 

perhaps this disk really is bad, then
- the wife must send it to HP, (hope it still has warranty)
--they will replace the disk and blow their image on it.
She will lose everything. Apps, their cfg/profiles, data/docs/vids/whatever
That is a lot to lose.

 

- And -

 

Please note I did not mention ...
reinstallation of the OS via iso from MS (which I have).
That will not fully work, and C:\Windows will be toast while,
the other 'core' required volumes will not be 'fixed'.
- and one loses the HP oem reg and recovery stuff.

 

WELL, I gotta make a choice and DO something tomorrow.

I've 6 man days in this ... I give myself a 30% success possibility.

 

Your reference to ( ...KHANNN ! ! ! ) is fully understood ...
I do know where exactly it came from.
Was it Star Trek Movie - Wrath Of Kahn ???

 

Again, many thanks and all suggestions welcome

 

Ken

[chrisinth]

One thing you might want to consider is to remove the hard drive from your notebook and mount it in a 2.5" enclosure and try to connect to another computer. Macrium sees Vol 3 & 4 as NTFS primary drives, so the actual hard drive should be good.

 

Thinking about backing up your data before trying any more recoveries through registry or system file fixes. I don't think you want to lose everything on your drive if you have any sot of backup option for your data that you can try..

[RichCor]

I'm thinking there's something really bad going on with that drive if Macrium can't do a quick bitcopy.

 

Another suggestion:  Do a quick install of Windows 10 to a bootable external USB drive. Then recover the laptop's Windows partition to that. See how far it gets.  

 

From what you've written so far I'm inclined to believe the drive suffered a hardware error, or the disc surface was damaged.

[howto]

Started MRF at 18:30, went to bed at 19:00

At 04:30 this is what I see

 

2017-06-29_MRF_Bkup-Full-Fail_4.jpg

 

Not looking good.

 

8 hours ago, chrisinth said:

One thing you might want to consider is to remove the hard drive from your notebook and mount it in a 2.5" enclosure and try to connect to another computer. Macrium sees Vol 3 & 4 as NTFS primary drives, so the actual hard drive should be good.

 

Thinking about backing up your data before trying any more recoveries through registry or system file fixes. I don't think you want to lose everything on your drive if you have any sot of backup option for your data that you can try..

Thanks for the reply ...

I can remove the HDD, will be a PITA (full disassembly).

I can possibly plug it into my desktop, (if sata matches).

Backup, been trying to do that for two days.

I've not attempted any recovery at all.

 

3 hours ago, RichCor said:

I'm thinking there's something really bad going on with that drive if Macrium can't do a quick bitcopy.

 

Another suggestion:  Do a quick install of Windows 10 to a bootable external USB drive. Then recover the laptop's Windows partition to that. See how far it gets.  

 

From what you've written so far I'm inclined to believe the drive suffered a hardware error, or the disc surface was damaged.

I agree 'bout the bitcopy and hardware error.

I need to test this drive. Still looking for a tool that will do it

- 1'st test, w/o repair

- seriously think of the results

- 2'nd attempt fix on drive and/or volume.

This is where it goes pear shaped.

 

May be a moot point to install w10 on a usb.

 

Laptop was purchased from Costco Oct 2015,

they confirmed it has a 2-year warranty.

If my drive testing fails, data is lost anyway,

and I should not remove the drive,

just give it to them.

 

I refuse to concede defeat, yet.

 

I need a List of the apps installed on this system.

At least she can re-install those.

 

I am now booting WinPE from www.tenforums.com,

perhaps it has something that helps.

if not

Then back to Mint 18, get those 2 apps,

hope that can diag the drive.

 

Again, thanks for all the replies and help.

I'll be back.

 

- Ken

[howto]

Booting w/ W10 PE failed,

moved to Linux Mint 18,

having issues installing packages.

I am a *nix noob.

 

I will request help over in the Linux forum,

direct them to this thread.

 

- Ken

[RichCor]

How is W10 PE failing?  Is it not booting, or booting but not finding a problem it can fix?

If not booting, are you creating the PE with UEFI for your laptop?

[howto]

It will not boot, period.

Good Sandisk 32 GB thumb,

confirmed ISO hash

copied to thumb several different ways

try different bios options with each interation

try different usb ports with each interation

30 minutes with each interation, still a black screen

- no usb led activity either

(this took a loooong time to do)

 

Thanks for asking,  and for the previous 'Like'.

Actually, I DL'ed 'Wrath of Kahn' due to it being mentioned,

sort-of watching now, well between the stuff.

If one call's watching only 10 minutes in 7 hours.

Darn good ST, one of the best.

 

Ken

 

[RichCor]

You need to use a utility that can create the correct boot environment (BIOS/MBR; UEFI/GPT; etc) for your OS iso (Live boot, PE, etc).

 

Create UEFI Bootable USB Of Windows 10
admin Updated on Dec 25th, 2016

 

What OS are you using, what utility are you using to create the bootable USB?

[howto]

1 minute ago, RichCor said:

You need to use a utility that can create the correct boot environment (BIOS/MBR; UEFI/GPT; etc) for your OS iso (Live boot, PE, etc).

 

What OS are you using, what utility are you using to create the bootable USB?

1, yes you are correct, and I did

- multiple interations of each

- inc fat32 (diff cluster sizes)

- inc ntfs (diff cluster sizes

OS:  w7-x64- ult

Util: diskpart, Rufus, Unetbootin,

and

- mount iso in 'MagicDisk'

- plain format the thumb

- use mini-tool to mark active

- drag-drop onto thumb.

 

I was extensive.

tried 'every bios choice' available (not much)

- non legacy UEFI or legacy CIM

- secure boot off (always)

 

This took hours, I was very detailed.

 

Thanks

- Ken

 

[howto]

The ISO is NTFS with a lot of embedded info in the header.

[howto]

TVF is killing my RAM and FF browser.

What is with that stupid "Radio" banner

[RichCor]

It's a pain when your trying to diagnost/fix an issue and the laptop seems to refuse to even boot an external USB while the ailing internal drive is still connected.  Been there, done that.

 

Interesting that you can get *nix to boot. But can't duplicate that environment with a Win10 PE or Live.  Aggravating.

[howto]

1 minute ago, RichCor said:

It's a pain when your trying to diagnost/fix an issue and the laptop seems to refuse to even boot an external USB while the ailing internal drive is still connected.  Been there, done that.

 

Interesting that you can get *nix to boot. But can't duplicate that environment with a Win10 PE or Live.  Aggravating.

This POS has been fighting me at every level.

This is my 7'th man day.

It is my wifes laptop.

We are beginning divorce,

she, and my 3 children moved to a new place June 4.

It is a luv-hate relationship.

 

This is OK, it has a silver lining...

I have learned a lot this last week.

Things I needed to learn, I've become obsolete to a degree.

This is my profession, well was upto year 2000.

Dam, apologies, did not mean to get personal.

 

- Ken

[RichCor]

I think you're right about returning it to Costco and getting a replacement.

 

I think I'd try concentrating on getting an image of the *just* the windows partition with Macrium Reflect, then try opening that image on another PC and see if you can recover the data directly from the image. That's one nice thing about Reflect is it's ability to open the image and recover individual files.

 

It really sounds like the hard drive is toast.

[howto]

1 minute ago, RichCor said:

I think you're right about returning it to Costco and getting a replacement.

 

I think I'd try concentrating on getting an image of the *just* the windows partition with Macrium Reflect, then try opening that image on another PC and see if you can recover the data directly from the image. That's one nice thing about Reflect is it's ability to open the image and recover individual files.

 

It really sounds like the hard drive is toast.

This is exactly what I'm trying to accomplish,

MR is not helping much, hence trying *nix

Wife is aware of such.

 

[howto]

Actually, I don't expect *nix to work either,

not to image or repair ...

except just maybe ...

I can actually 'see' some Dirs on C windows vol

and just copy those straight away.

That is good enough, hence *nix.

Img whole partition, not going to work.

I am a pessimistic optimist.

 

[RichCor]

Another potential *nix guide for accessing and potentially recovering files from NTFS partitions:

 

Recover files from Windows drives using Puppy Linux

By Margus Saluste, www.winhelp.us. Last updated: 2017-01-08

How to create bootable Puppy Linux CD or USB for recovering data from unbootable Windows hard drives

 

Just remember your 10-step computer addict/recovery mantra... "one file at a time". 

[howto]

18 hours ago, RichCor said:

Another potential *nix guide for accessing and potentially recovering files from NTFS partitions:

 

Recover files from Windows drives using Puppy Linux

By Margus Saluste, www.winhelp.us. Last updated: 2017-01-08

How to create bootable Puppy Linux CD or USB for recovering data from unbootable Windows hard drives

 

Just remember your 10-step computer addict/recovery mantra... "one file at a time". 

You are quite amazing. Thanks again.

I read the page, DL'ed the ISO and used

Universal-USB-Installer as suggested.

 

It will boot, will not load.

Spent several hours on it,

used many diff args, no avail.

I really wanted this to work.

 

This being the second non-boot ISO,

(Win10 PE + Lucid Puppy (lupu)),

I DL'ed  Puppy FatDog64 to test ...

then to usb thumb (same as before w/ same installer)

It works.

However it will not see all the HDD vols,

Especially the Windows Vol ...

 

This tells me

- my BIOS Boot settings are correct

- my usb thumb drives are ok

- something is wrong w/ Lucid Puppy (lupu) params

- this distro 'Puppy FatDog64' may need a different app installed

 

Hope remains.

Next I will try "Precise Puppy".

 

Told the wife to not give this laptop to ? for repair yet,

wait till after the 4'th holiday is over.

(Nobody will work on it)

So I've a few more days.

 

Wish those '*nix geeks in Linux Forum' would contribute.

 

Again, thanks for the help.

 

- Ken

[dave_boo]

The first partition needs to be a FAT32 for UEFI boot.  Use your Linux disk to format it thus and then your Win10 disk to try and repair the install...after you back it up!

[RichCor]

1 hour ago, dave_boo said:

...after you back it up!

I think he's encountering too many disc errors for *anything* to back it up. 

While he might be able to DD the drive, he really either wants direct access to the original windows partition to copy essential data, or image the partition into a container that can later be read directly to recover individual files.

 

Given the errors being encountered on the drive I think the drive is toast (and even if reformatted shouldn't be trusted), so a trip to Costco to swap the laptop for a new device under their return policy is in its immediate future following a personal data recovery attempt.

[dave_boo]

25 minutes ago, RichCor said:

I think he's encountering too many disc errors for *anything* to back it up. 

While he might be able to DD the drive, he really either wants direct access to the original windows partition to copy essential data, or image the partition into a container that can later be read directly to recover individual files.

 

Given the errors being encountered on the drive I think the drive is toast (and even if reformatted shouldn't be trusted), so a trip to Costco to swap the laptop for a new device under their return policy is in its immediate future following a personal data recovery attempt.

Definitely wouldn't trust the drive either...but the challenge of getting his (wife's?) computer back up and running is a fun one to try and figure out.

[RichCor]

OP,

Were you ever able to access the built-in F2 Self Test / UEFI diagnostics for that HP Pavilion Notebook - 15-ab243cl (Touch) (ENERGY STAR)

 

HP Support Website

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-15-ab200-notebook-pc-series-touch/8502667/model/10193197

 

PDF Manual

HP Notebook Hard Drives & Solid State Drives Identifying, Preventing, Diagnosing and Recovering from Drive Failures Care and Maintenance Measures

 

HP Diagnostics [F2]   (Pg 3).

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02876562

[howto]

First I must say,

thank you dave_boo, for joining this thread ...

I have read many of your posts in the past.

 

5 hours ago, dave_boo said:

The first partition needs to be a FAT32 for UEFI boot.  Use your Linux disk to format it thus and then your Win10 disk to try and repair the install...after you back it up!

It is unknown on the HDD, see a pic previously posted, 

1'st vol on internal HDD is EFI ...

I have previously posted all vols on this HDD.

On the usb thumb, yes.

It is FAT32, MBR, confirmed.

 

NOTE: can't do UEFI Boot at all,

(even if I disable 'secure boot')

must be 'legacy mode' else unit will

boot straight to "HP Recovery Diags'.

In 'Legacy', Secure Boot is disabled AND at Boot,

Press F9 will show others to boot from as the usb thumb.

I've no choice here.

 

I will not attempt any repair on any vol on this HDD.

It (the vol) must be backed-up first.

That is my hard rule.

Why? The repair will fail.

Data will be lost.

Might as well just do a full W10 install.

(even that is foolish, on this HDD)

 

BUT I certainly appreciate your concern,

you made the effort to reply, Thank You.

 

Now, on to the stuff ...

2 hours ago, RichCor said:

OP,

Were you ever able to access the built-in F2 Self Test / UEFI diagnostics for that HP Pavilion Notebook - 15-ab243cl (Touch) (ENERGY STAR)

 

HP Support Website

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-15-ab200-notebook-pc-series-touch/8502667/model/10193197

 

PDF Manual

HP Notebook Hard Drives & Solid State Drives Identifying, Preventing, Diagnosing and Recovering from Drive Failures Care and Maintenance Measures

 

HP Diagnostics [F2]   (Pg 3).

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02876562

 

YES, thought I had posted those ...

It, they, fail the drive ...

here are the pics ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

and here is Macrium Reflect Free attempteng to do a 'full drive bitmap image' ...

 

MOVING FORWARD ...

I did see posts from the Linux thread late morning ...

booted into MInt 18 via usb thumb ...

followed directions ...

here are pics ...

 

click on 'computer' icon ...

 

CLICK IGNORE ...

 

 

TRY TO MOUNT /dev/sdb3/  WINDOWS ... Can NOT ...

 

There I am, any suggestions ???

 

- Ken

3 hours ago, dave_boo said:

Definitely wouldn't trust the drive either...but the challenge of getting his (wife's?) computer back up and running is a fun one to try and figure out.

Actually this nonsense is very good for me as for the last week I have undergone S.H.I.T.. 

Special.High.Intensity,Training 

I've learned a lot, already knew a lot but that is somewhat obsolete.

Will this get me Kudos or affection from the wife, (a Thai) hell I doubt it .

Really don't expect it.  This has become much more than that.

What I am saying is ...

I needed to do this, for many reasons.

I know I've a 'snowballs chance in hell' of success.

But it was a worthwhile attempt.

 

Who knows, maybe I will succeed and this will be here for others. FWIW.

 

Ken sez... it is 18:50, time to pause, 

I'm taking a 2 hour break, drink a beer, EAT, 

watch another 15 minutes of "Wrath Of Khan" (i'm up to 20 minutes)

and go to bed by 20:00.  I need to sleep.

 

Again, Thanks to all whom are assisting,

guess I need to jump over to that Linux thread and say same.

 

- Ken