W10 HP Laptop No Boot

[RichCor]

More possibly unhelpful and distracting suggestions:

 

Testdisk, Clonezilla, Superbootdisk

 

TeskDisk file and partition recovery, step-by-step example       <<< this linux app looks very interesting!!

 

Also...

Top 5 Free Rescue Discs for Your Sys Admin Toolkit

 

Microsoft Store Windows USB/DVD download tool

 

Q: How do I create a bootable USB stick that can install to a UEFI system?

...and alt from the comments: Use "live Linux usb creator", format the stick fat32.

 

 

[dave_boo]

11 hours ago, howto said:

First I must say,

thank you dave_boo, for joining this thread ...

I have read many of your posts in the past.

 

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 ...

 

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

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

 

If the machine was previously in UEFI and you changed it to "Legacy" (MBR) that's going to complicate everything.  There is no MBR there for the machine to find.  Put the machine back into UEFI.  Hit F9 at boot and choose your Linux thumbdrive.  Open up GParted.  Right click /dev/sdb1 and Format to MS-DOS/FAT 32.  Shutdown.  Put your Windows 10 thumbdrive in, start up and hit F9.  Do a repair installation if you want to chance the data.

 

I stay away from GParted and use the CLI.  Back on the Linux thread I gave you a set of instructions to try out from the command line.  If you could post back the results it would be swell.  Using the "&&" between will prevent it from continuing if it runs into any sort of problems.  I assume that it probably throws up something like below:

mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdb3, missing codepage or helper program, or other error

 

Another thought is that you could try to run "ntfsfix" (you'll have to install ntfs-3g if the command isn't found).  

ntfsfix -b -d /dev/sdb3

 

If running the previous commands works, and you can then mount the drive as I suggested in the Linux thread and copy everything off as quickly as possible.

[RichCor]

36 minutes ago, dave_boo said:

If the machine was previously in UEFI and you changed it to "Legacy" (MBR) that's going to complicate everything.  There is no MBR there for the machine to find.

I think the OP is having a difficult time getting anything to boot via USB, and is only using 'legacy' mode as a method of getting *something* to boot.

 

If he could create a USB Flash (using his other Win7Ult desktop) that would boot the ailing HP 15-ab243cl Notebook under UEFI then he would probably do that, but so far he hasn't had any luck creating s successful USB Flash that would do this.

[chrisinth]

For the sake of the data that is on that disk (although maybe past the stage for recovery), even though it is a PITA, I still think you need to physically remove the drive, put it in a 2.5" enclosure and plug it into your main computer. I know it is a learning period for you playing about, but IMO you need a backup before playing.

 

This should prove if the disk is toast or if it is just system files that are corrupted. Access to your data should be doable even with corrupt system files. You may even be able to take an image while the drive is attached by USB to your main computer in the outside chance you come up with a fix at a later time.

 

The more you flip flop between UEFI & MBR the more chance of further damaging the structure assuming that it still intact.

[howto]

I'm still here, albeit somewhat whooped.

Been a busy day since 4 am.

 

Here is where I am ...

- change BIOS BOOT back to 'Normal' FROM 'Legacy'
- now in EFI mode
- Disable 'Secure Boot'
- F10 save
- will reboot, Enter Security Code + Enter
- will get the HP Diag screen
- power off, restart,
- Disabled 'Secure Boot' setting is retained across shutdown+reboots

BOOT FROM Mint 18 Sarah Cinnamon
- Mint 18 loaded.
- shutdown Mint 18 to power off
- MINT 18 Sarah WORKS

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM Mint 18.1 Serena Cinnamon
- Mint 18.1 loaded.
- shutdown Mint 18 to power off
- MINT 18.1 Serena WORKS

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM Mint 18.1 Serena
- NEW THUMB, SANDISK 16GB
- USE Universal-USB-Installer-1.9.7.8
- CREATE A 4GB PERSISTANCE FOLDER
- Mint 18.1 loaded.
- CHANGE
-- TIME ZONE
-- MOUSE POINTER SIZE + ACCELERATION
-- WIFI PASSWORD
- shutdown Mint 18.1 to power off
- REBOOT
- MINT 18.1 Serena WORKS / KEPT SETTINGS
*** TAKES 5 MINUTES TO BOOT

 

 

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM FOLLOWING ...

WIN10 PE
FAILED ...

 

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM W10 INSTALL MEDIA
- CREATED BY MS DOWNLOAD TOOL
- FAIL LOAD

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM PUPPY LINUX
- FAIL LOAD

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM PUPPY FATDOG
- FAIL LOAD

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM MACRIUM REFLECT
- FAIL LOAD

 

So ...

Mint 18.1 Serena Cinnamon

- works as well as 'persistance'.

 

And a part of my morning ...

a copperhead viper on my deck,

 

I will now eat for the 1'st time today,

drink some beer,

and finish 'wrath of khan',

and go to bed.

 

I'm not done with this, just need a slight break.

Will be back,

- need to install some apps on this *nix so can move forward,

and I do not know how.

 

I am amazed and deeply appreciative of you whom have helped.

-Ken

 

 

 

[dave_boo]

I am stunned that the Windows boot thumb drive doesn't...boot.  I don't know enough about Windows to help you with that.

[RichCor]

22 minutes ago, dave_boo said:

I am stunned that the Windows boot thumb drive doesn't...boot.

From what I've read, the Microsoft Creation Tool is supposed to create a  USB boot environment that allows it to boot into UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.  Similarly stunned, but not amused. 

[dave_boo]

20 minutes ago, RichCor said:

From what I've read, the Microsoft Creation Tool is supposed to create a  USB boot environment that allows it to boot into UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.  Similarly stunned, but not amused. 

The fact that his computer will boot on the Linux live CD's means he knows how to set his bios up to do that...so I don't understand why Windows won't.

 

Still am of the belief that he should grab his data off the drive with a Linux live CD and then take it back to Costco.

[howto]

So an update ...

I confirmed the following
- change BIOS BOOT back to ''Legacy' FROM 'Normal'
- now in 'Legacy-MBR' mode
- 'Secure Boot' is Disabled by default

 

I've new USB Sandisk 16GB flash drives ...
I redid DL/install of each of the following ...

 

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM W10 INSTALL MEDIA
- CREATED BY MS DOWNLOAD TOOL
- FAIL LOAD
(can't say it ever loaded before)

 

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM FOLLOWING ...
WIN10 PE
FAILED ...
(can't say it ever loaded before)

 

ATTEMPT BOOT FROM MACRIUM REFLECT
- FAIL LOAD
(this did load before, I posted pics, <deleted>)

 

Then,
- change BIOS BOOT back to 'Normal' FROM 'Legacy'
- now in 'UEFI' mode
- Disabled 'Secure Boot'

 

So back to ...
- MINT 18.1 Serena-Cinnimon WORKS / KEPT SETTINGS
- works as well as 'persistance'.
*** TAKES 5 MINUTES TO BOOT

 

 

9 hours ago, dave_boo said:

I am stunned that the Windows boot thumb drive doesn't...boot.  I don't know enough about Windows to help you with that.

Suprised me also, I suspect a reason to it's failing.

 

7 hours ago, RichCor said:

From what I've read, the Microsoft Creation Tool is supposed to create a  USB boot environment that allows it to boot into UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.  Similarly stunned, but not amused. 

Yes it is, and did. I suspect a reason to it's failing.

I suspect the HP bios will not allow it to happen.
I'm not going to look in that direction.

 

7 hours ago, dave_boo said:

The fact that his computer will boot on the Linux live CD's means he knows how to set his bios up to do that...so I don't understand why Windows won't.

 

Still am of the belief that he should grab his data off the drive with a Linux live CD and then take it back to Costco.

Yes, I do know quite a bit of hardware and bios configs, UEFI is 'new' to me,
I read-up on that chain-load process.

'grab his data off the drive',
that was/is the goal from the beginning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

On 7/1/2017 at 9:41 AM, chrisinth said:

For the sake of the data that is on that disk (although maybe past the stage for recovery), even though it is a PITA, I still think you need to physically remove the drive, put it in a 2.5" enclosure and plug it into your main computer. I know it is a learning period for you playing about, but IMO you need a backup before playing.

 

This should prove if the disk is toast or if it is just system files that are corrupted. Access to your data should be doable even with corrupt system files. You may even be able to take an image while the drive is attached by USB to your main computer in the outside chance you come up with a fix at a later time.

 

The more you flip flop between UEFI & MBR the more chance of further damaging the structure assuming that it still intact.

Thanks,

I've been doing this stuff 30 years (I'm 60).

My desktop computer is a 10 year old ASROCK,
Intel E-5200, 4GB DDR2, Intel Graphics.
USB is v2.0
OS is Win7-Ult-x64.
Sata would likely work, and I have the cables and adaptors.

However with this rig, I can't work on a GPT-UEFI disk/partitions .
I've no 'apps' that would be able to work on it.
I do know how to disassemble this laptop. I have the tools.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

NOW,
considering the warranty expires in October,
and the warranty may not be extended w/ HP repair,
if I had a new HDD for this laptop, (at wife's expense)
installed it,  tried to install W10,  It may or may not work.
As I suspect the HP BIOS may be 'locked' to this machine, (well perhaps their HDD)
also lose the license, etc.
This also infers I can not get any data saved.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SO,
let us move forward attempting data recovery using Mint 18.1
I don't know how ... on many levels,

I will have to 'install some apps', and have to use the CL.

Perhaps david_boo can help with that, I hope so.
- what apps
- how 'to get them'
- how to use them.

 

At this point,
- I want to bkup dirs in vol 'Windows', (perfer a bitcopy)
- I do not think it will bkup the whole vol.

 

@ david_boo,
you asked me to do 'rsync',

/QUOTE...
Back on the Linux thread I gave you a set of instructions to try out from the command line.  

"If you could post back the results it would be swell.  Using the "&&" between will prevent it from continuing if it runs into any sort of problems.  I assume that it probably throws up something like below:"

mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdb3, missing codepage or helper program, or other error

Another thought is that you could try to run "ntfsfix" (you'll have to install ntfs-3g if the command isn't found).
ntfsfix -b -d /dev/sdb3

If running the previous commands works, and you can then mount the drive as I suggested in the Linux thread and copy everything off as quickly as possible.

\\QUOTE

 

HERE WE ARE,
so lets do the following ...
- I run rsync, and post results,
(how and where to post that output)

 

- I install ntfs-3g and ntfsfix
(how to install and how to use them).
(will these be 'saved' with the 'persistence'?)

 

I will now attempt to do both on my own.

 

All of you amaze me, really going the distance to help.
- Ken

 

[howto]

dave_boo

Typical SNAFU ...

- I run rsync, and post results,

mkdir ~/Windows && sudo mount -t ntfs /dev/sda3 ~/Windows && rsync -avr --progress ~/Windows /sdc

 

I attempt install of

- ntfs-3g

- ntfsprogs

 

Please, what next,

seems I must run 'ntfprogs'.

How do I find it to install ???

Then how do I run it ???

 

I understand this is it,

this will likely toast whats left of sda3.

 

Hey Rich-Cor,

I'm up to 45 minutes of 'Wrath of Khan'.

 

Thanks to all,

- ken

 

 

[dave_boo]

6 hours ago, howto said:

dave_boo

Typical SNAFU ...

- I run rsync, and post results,

mkdir ~/Windows && sudo mount -t ntfs /dev/sda3 ~/Windows && rsync -avr --progress ~/Windows /sdc

 

I attempt install of

- ntfs-3g

- ntfsprogs

 

Please, what next,

seems I must run 'ntfprogs'.

How do I find it to install ???

Then how do I run it ???

 

I understand this is it,

this will likely toast whats left of sda3.

 

Hey Rich-Cor,

I'm up to 45 minutes of 'Wrath of Khan'.

 

Thanks to all,

- ken

 

 

Go ahead and run the command:

ntfsfix -b -d /dev/sdb3

It looks like you have the necessary programmes in your live CD.  There's also apparently an issue with your rsync command; it should be some sort of /mnt/sdc or such (unless you created an /sdc mount point and mounted the drive there - but I assume that the OS mounted it for you automatically).  You have to plug in the external drive and see what pops up in your file manager to know for sure.  I use opensuse so for me it's under /run/media/dave_boo/*new drive* but I know that Ubuntu is different.

[howto]

2017-07-03 08:00
An update ...

Completed watching 'Wrath of Khan'.
Slept 10 hours, needed that.

 

This morning I gave serious thought to using rsync,
realized the command string
- is about to bkup 255+ GB.
That will take a looong time, and likely fail.

 

It's a pain to type that rsync command (long)
So I installed
sudo apt-get install grsync
sudo apt-get install gadmin-rsync
sudo apt-get install tree

To reduce the bkup size (and time)

I want to target specific Dirs for bkup

 

I will
1 - attempt the ls command
2 - attempt the tree command
If these fail, then rsync will likely fail.

 

If the ls and tree commands fail, I will need to run repairs
- problem, I want to repair the Windows volume only, not the whole disk
- chkdsk and such utils works on whole disks
I have never seen a repair util that can target only a vol.

 

If the ls and tree commands work,
Then use grsync to bkup specific Dirs and Files.

grsync is a GUI front-end for rsync and can save different profiles.

 

In my past I have seen such disks w/ bad sectors and a corrupted file system.
Takes hours and process must not be halted.
I would expect many thousands of errors.

 

I would prefer to do this with Windows 10 PE utilities.
So I will re-visit creating that WinPE usb thumb.
(thanks RichCor for that post)

------
2017-07-03 11:30 EST
Tried the 'ls' and 'tree' commands
-failed

 

Tried 'mount' command
mount -a
-failed
mount --all
-failed
sudo mount --all
-failed
--- said I must be 'root' to do this.

 

*** HOW DO I BECOME 'ROOT'

 

Tried the 'rsync' command
On the following ...
mkdir ~/Windows && sudo mount -t ntfs /dev/sda4 ~/Windows && rsync -avr --progress ~/Windows /sdc1

sda4 is a un-named vol ...
(this is a ntfs partition of 325+ MB, used space, which shows no errors)
-failed

Tried the 'grsync' app
-failed

Need a break, I'm seriously annoyed ...
Watch a movie 'The Fate Of The Furious (2017)'
It is a very good movie. Surprised me.

2017-07-03 15:42 EST
I will re-visit creating that WinPE usb thumb to effect repairs.

M$ will be better at this than *nix.
(thanks RichCor for that post)

WHERE IS THIS ORIGINAL SOURCE ISO ?

 

On 7/1/2017 at 4:43 AM, RichCor said:

More possibly unhelpful and distracting suggestions:

 

Testdisk, Clonezilla, Superbootdisk

 

TeskDisk file and partition recovery, step-by-step example       <<< this linux app looks very interesting!!

 

Also...

Top 5 Free Rescue Discs for Your Sys Admin Toolkit

 

Microsoft Store Windows USB/DVD download tool

 

Q: How do I create a bootable USB stick that can install to a UEFI system?

...and alt from the comments: Use "live Linux usb creator", format the stick fat32.

 

 

 

I'm quite honored with the patience shown by the folks who have responded to my questions.
- Ken

[howto]

2017-07-06 22:45 est

A update ...

Everything failed.

 

Including removing the disk from the laptop.

- It is not compatable w/ the sata on my PC.

 

So I hit the 'Restore To Factory Defaults' ...

it failed, as I thought it would.

 

Am now awaiting the 'return shipping box', send it in for repair.

 

The warranty is much longer than I thought ...

300 days left from today.

 

So wife lost all data,
I spent 16, 12 hour man days.

 

This is done, put a fork in it.

 

Again, many thanks to all whom helped.

 

- Ken

 

 

[RichCor]

I still would have returned it to Costco and got a new unit.

[howto]

It is being returned to Costco,

They are sending a box + a return shipping label,

via UPS 2-day air, at their expense.

The HDD will be replaced and W10 loaded.

Along with the HP stuff.

Plus some degree of extending the warranty.

Perhaps returned in a week.

 

I did not want to list everything I had done for the 3 days.

Too much stuff.

 

Thanks to all whom helped.

- Ken

[howto]

Final update,

laptop was sent to Costco's authorized repair,

via ups on 7-11 am, returned to me 7-13 pm.

I included many of the pics previously seen in this thread.

 

They replaced the hard disk,

not with a crap Western Digital, but with a good HGST.

Had a full reinstall of W10, PLUS M$ Office 2016.

 

Took a full image bkup of entire HDD w/ MRF,

took 17 minutes and 53 GB on the port usb HDD.

 

Fixed some stuff (user, region/time zone) and

removed McAffie AV, re-enable Defender.

Install MRF.

Took a full image bkup of entire HDD w/ MRF.

 

Do Windows update, took 7 hours ,,,

checked if all ok, it was ,,,

Took a full image bkup of entire HDD w/ MRF.

 

Installed O&O Shutup10 ,,,

Took a full image bkup of entire HDD w/ MRF.

 

Returned to wife on 7-16.

 

Done, put a fork in it.

 

I, as others, like to know the final outcome.

I do appreciate all the assistance given.

 

Ken