Windows installer doesn't work?

Anonymous
2019-03-03T03:18:06+00:00

So I'm having a bit of a weird issue. I've installed windows 10 on a few computers before and have never run into this until now. I recently bought an ssd to boot my OS from, but running the install media usb doesn't seem to work right. I only used windows 10's install media tool. I should also mention I only have a keyboard, mouse, monitor and the install usb plugged in.

I created the usb (twice now), then shut my pc off, removed the existing hdd, then plugged in the ssd and the usb with the install tool on it. I boot into setup, make sure the drive is all unallocated space, and then hit new. I let it create the necessary partitions and then click next. I've also tried just clicking next with a totally blank ssd.

The setup tool runs normally, prompts a restart which is when I remove the install usb, if I don't remove the usb then it loops back to the installer again. When I remove the usb and then restart though, my pc prompts me to insert boot media into the drive and press any key. It doesnt seem to actually install the necessary files to download and install windows 10. No matter what I do, after the install media tool finishes and causes a restart I cannot continue with the installation. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know it isn't a problem with another component because plugging in the original hard drive works fine. I've also plugged both drives in and scanned for errors on the ssd to no avail. I checked and there are files being installed on the ssd. It seems to work normally otherwise so I dont think it's a bad drive either.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-03-04T16:53:43+00:00

    I just finished installing windows on a new ssd that I exchanged the one I was using for. Instead of an hp s700 I now have a samsung 860 evo, which worked flawlessly the first try. I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong. I guess it was just a bad drive. I'm not sure if it is a rare issue or if that ssd just is not compatible as a boot drive but I would not recommend to try an hp s700 if you wish to use it as a boot drive and not just storage. Thank you all for your help!

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  2. VARADHARAJAN K 9,726 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-03-04T04:16:03+00:00

    normally I don't use media creation tool.

    I use Windows 10 deployment method to install Windows  10 on UEFI PC and BIOS  PC.

    Deployment method needs some technical skills.

    Above method needs windows 10 Pre installation bootable pen drive

    and need  two files namely  install.wim   and winre.wim 

    Installation will finish less than 3 minutes.

    its not automatic method, we need to type some commands.

    In UEFi based PC, after install, windows boot manager will be added automatically into NVRAM  on motherboard 

    My own asus  laptop UEFI  mode,I installed in same method.

    Also I installed on Lenovo laptops and HP  all in one pc without problems.

     I am  80 % sure your SSD  is safe. but you dont know how to handle the installation and gets errors.Errors can be solved but I need some confirmation in the form of video.

    So I request you record a video in low resolution using mobile phone.

    1.recording of making usb bootaBle pen drive using Rufus.

    1. recording of bios settings and installation of video 

    so please record and upload using mobile phone to online storage and then share the link soon . If you are in india in karnataka , you can share your email via personal message

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-03T18:32:36+00:00

    I'm really sorry. I must have missed that the first time. I must look quite dumb lol. Wiping the drive and installing windows over and over is getting frustrating but I appreciate your patience. In all the time I've spent with computers, I've never had the hard drive say it isn't bootable after installing windows on it. This is really stressing me out and it's hard to focus properly. I went back and reread your instructions, but the same thing happened. Let me make sure I understood correctly. I hope I'm not missing another step somewhere.

    1. I plug in the ssd, the usb drive, and the minimal amount of hardware needed (mouse and monitor).
    2. I start the pc and press f2 which triggers uefi. I go in to the boot priority order, and set the ssd (because I do not see windows boot manager) to boot first. I save and reset.
    3. I go back to uefi, I then press f8 and choose to force boot the uefi usb. The asus logo appears again and I am taken to windows setup.
    4. I select my options, click install now, skip the product key, select win10 home, accept the terms, then click custom. I am taken to a list of 4 partitions on the drive. The ssd is labelled as drive 2 even though I only have one drive plugged in. I delete them all so it is totally unallocated space and press new, then it recreates the partitions. These are a 500mb recovery partition, a 300mb system partition, a 16mb MSR one, and the primary which is the remainder of the space, 474gb. I then press next.
    5. I let the setup copy the necessary files and updates. It gets them ready for installation. Once it is finished I am prompted with a restart. I wait 10 seconds and the pc reboots. I should now see windows continue installing and be prompted to create an account now, yes?

    But, after restarting it goes to a black screen that says "reboot and select proper boot device". I can also go back into uefi (f2) and force boot the uefi usb drive again just fine. I can repeat these steps, install windows again and let the pc restart but I still have the same issue. I am told that the ssd is not a proper boot device.

    I remove the usb or force boot the ssd the pc still acts as if there is no bootable drives installed. I shouldn't even need to force it to boot the ssd as it is set before the uefi drive. The ssd is also labelled drive D and not C, as that was my original hdd. Could that be the issue?

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-03-03T17:10:42+00:00

    The reason I am confused is I cant find any way to access anything called windows boot manager from uefi. My only options are the ssd or the installation media. Would it be placed on the ssd? So then would I need to set the drive I'm installing on as the first in order, and then force-boot the uefi device? And after installing and restarting it should continue into the rest of the installation process?

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-03-03T03:26:12+00:00

    Hi Helleg. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 9 year Windows MVP and Independent Advisor, here to help you.

    Trigger the media only using the BIOS Boot menu key, not by setting a flash stick to boot first in BIOS/UEFI Setup. Also for UEFI the Windows Boot Manager must remain set to boot first (or hard drive for Legacy BIOS, or if WBM is not present yet) and the media must be booted as a UEFI device only.

    I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot installation failure which work in about 90% of cases. If not we'll go from there:

    Follow the illustrated Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure SATA controller is set to AHCI, UEFI is enabled, CSM disabled, Windows Boot Manager set first to boot, if necessary disable Secure and Fast Boot until after install: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-...

    Create the latest new Windows 10 Installation Media by installing Media Creation Tool and following the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If you're using another PC to do this then uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

    Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

    If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

    Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands followed by Enter key:

    DISKPART

    LIST DISK

    SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

    CLEAN

    EXIT

    Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

    Make sure to follow the setup steps to complete your install. Drivers are important enough that those steps are printed in red.

    You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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