Toshiba Laptop OS help

[blobula]

My wifes laptop a Toshiba Satellite C55-a running Windows 8.1 decided it was going to cause me grief.

Windows Update downloaded a bunch of updates and said it needed to restart to apply updates. That was fine, but when the updates were being applied it hit an error and then stated it was trying to roll back the updates which the laptop was stuck on that screen forever.

I decided to try to restore the laptop to factory settings but when I tried it said it couldn't access the partion. So I tried to do a system restore on a previous date. The system restore failed again saying virus scan software must've been active, but I can't disable it since I can't get into Windows.

So I decided to wipe the hard drive and try to install Windows 7 which is much better than 8.

When I start up and boot from the cd it indicates that the Windows files are being loaded then it goes to the 'Starting Windows' screen. However nothing happens after that. CD rom spins down.

How can I get this laptop back to life? Windows 8 updates screwed this thing up.

Thank you!

 

[Thineswar]

maybe it's something else.
i don't know much about laptops but there seems to be problem with either the ram or the hdd.
first, try to boot with a different hdd (a new one) (if you can't find one, format the drive in the laptop by connecting it to a desktop)
if that doesn't work, try replacing the ram

 

[blobula]

Thank you for the reply. I don't have any blank HDDs laying around unfortunately, only the ones in my desktop.

Do I need to take the drive out of the laptop to connect it to my desktop? I'm not to clear on how to do that.

Thank you!

 

[Thineswar]

yup, i think they connect the same way as desktop hdd's

 

[ffg7]

they do connect the same way as in the desktop as 1 of my previous hard drives on this desktop was a laptop hard drive.

 

[rehed21]

If you have a spare USB drive laying around, you can just burn a linux os, such as Ubuntu, and check your hard drive status. Here is an article describing how to use Ubuntu to check the hard drive: http/askubuntu.com/questions/317241/can-i-use-ubuntu-to-diagnose-hard-drive-or-ram-problems-in-windows

Here is an article describing how to make a bootable usb: http/www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

Depending on your laptop, it could be easier than trying to remove the drive and connecting it to your desktop.

 

[blobula]

I put Ubuntu on a USB thumb drive and I'm running that without installing it. Currently testing the HD.

How do I format the HD for Windows using Ubuntu?

Is it possible to install windows from Ubuntu if I have the Windows 7 cd?

 

[rehed21]

I put Ubuntu on a USB thumb drive and I'm running that without installing it. Currently testing the HD.

How do I format the HD for Windows using Ubuntu?

Is it possible to install windows from Ubuntu if I have the Windows 7 cd?

If the hard drive check out OK, then you can format it through Ubuntu. I don't know specifically about Ubuntu as I'm using Zorin & Mint (but they are all similar), but it should have the application "disks", and in the menu options it will give you the option of formatting the partitions using NTFS.

You can't install Windows from Ubuntu and you must use the Windows 7 installation disk. If you can now get to the installation screen, when it ask where you want to install it (click advanced), delete all partitions until you have only one. At that part of the installation you also have the option of formatting the drive, so you don't necessarily have to do it through Ubuntu.

I hope that your hard drive is OK and that you can successfully install Windows.

 

[blobula]

So the hard drive checked out ok.

I tried to format the hard drive but I got a failure message. I then installed Ubuntu on the hard drive just to see if I could install anything which was successful.

I put the WIndows 7 cd in and pressed C on restart to boot from the CDROM. It said Windows Files were loading and advanced to the starting windows screen where it just stays. At this point I'm thinking perhaps there's something wrong with the CD?

 

[rehed21]

So the hard drive checked out ok.

I tried to format the hard drive but I got a failure message. I then installed Ubuntu on the hard drive just to see if I could install anything which was successful.

I put the WIndows 7 cd in and pressed C on restart to boot from the CDROM. It said Windows Files were loading and advanced to the starting windows screen where it just stays. At this point I'm thinking perhaps there's something wrong with the CD?

Check to ensure Legacy is checked in your BIOS, not UEFI. Often F2 to enter bios, but it varies depending on the manufacturer. I have to go and won't be around until later.

 

[rehed21]

So the hard drive checked out ok.

I tried to format the hard drive but I got a failure message. I then installed Ubuntu on the hard drive just to see if I could install anything which was successful.

I put the WIndows 7 cd in and pressed C on restart to boot from the CDROM. It said Windows Files were loading and advanced to the starting windows screen where it just stays. At this point I'm thinking perhaps there's something wrong with the CD?

Check to ensure Legacy is checked in your BIOS, not UEFI. Often F2 to enter bios, but it varies depending on the manufacturer. I have to go and won't be around until later.

 

[blobula]

Yes that was the issue. I changed BIOS to be CMS instead of UEFI and that immediately loaded the Windows 7 installation cd. Now my issue is the drive was partioned in a GPT format which Windows can't use. Currently I'm reformatting 495GB into NTSF format which is going to take some time. Hopefully that will allow me to install Windows 7 now.

 

[blobula]

Well converting a portion to NTSF proved to be a big waste of time. It didn't work. I removed all partitions and booted into the Windows Install screen. Before clicking no Install Now I opened up the command prompt and ran diskpart and did a clean. It worked. Laptop is currently get a fresh Windows 7 install. Learned a lot through this. Thanks for all the help!

 

[ffg7]

just remember that you'll have to install some or all of your drivers as your win7 disk might not have any.