RedneckDude RedneckDude

UEFI, Windows 8.1, and Backup Images

UEFI, Windows 8.1, and Backup Images

Just To Get Some Info Flowing.....

Guys, I can't believe this, but I want to tell you what happened to me.

 

I recently bought a PC that has UEFI BIOS, but also has Windows 8.1 installed in UEFI mode.

Tried to create a new partition, in order to dual boot with 7. All hell broke loose.

Before partitioning, I of course, made an image backup.  Proceeded to make the partition, only to find that I couldn't boot up after.

Some error about the needed drive wasn't connected or available.

So, I tried to blow in the backup, and I couldn't boot to DVD. Unless the DVD was a recovery disc with the OEM stuff on it. So I did, but I couldn't believe that they took away our ability to restore from a backup image.

Then, I went into BIOS and figured out how to turn off secure boot and enable legacy boot options and did manage to get the backup to install, only to still fail to boot up.

Called HP Support, went through 4 techs and 2 supervisors and was told that with a UEFI BIOS on an OEM rig, running Windows 8 that was installed in UEFI mode, you cannot install from a backup.

Only a factory reset would work if you can't boot.  Which is totally ludicrous, IMO. Why make a system that can't use a 3rd party backup? People lose everything with a system factory recovery, or even Windows 8's reset/refresh.

They kept trying to blame my 3rd party backup program, Easeus ToDo. Bullshit.

After hours with HP on the phone, I'm ready to go postal.

So, ten minutes after hanging up with HP Non Support, I got it done. Finally.

I had to completely disable UEFI mode in BIOS. Enable legacy boot options, turn off secure boot. Install the backup, then run startup repair from a Windows 8 disc.

Guess I won't be dual booting, since I'm now afraid to try.

 

>:(   >:(   >:(   >:(   :annoyed:   :annoyed:   :annoyed:   :annoyed:   o_O

 

109,780 views 40 replies
Reply #26 Top

Good. I've read Win 7 64 can be installed in UEFI mode also so by using 2 drives there should be a way to get it to work that way. More research. HP has a history of special drivers for their laptops and not being fast about updating them. I have one too.

Reply #27 Top

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh290675(v=WS.10).aspx.     This is a article that tells how to make a CD to boot into UEFI and other topics. Hope it helps.

Reply #28 Top

Being that this is an All In One PC, I don't have the ability to have a second drive. And lack of 7 drivers for this PC makes it a moot point.

Reply #29 Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 23
HP Non Support brought a few new ones outta me!!

Not a big fan of HP, but I can't see them providing support if what your doing would void the warranty  :-"

 

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 25
Can you install operating systems on separate drives and still get them both to boot?

Normally, yes. Dunno about this UEFI shit.

Yes, enter the UEFI bios and pick the drive you want to boot and exit.......

Reply #30 Top

Two words...

Aitch Pee....;)

Reply #31 Top

Really. I said I'd never buy another HP.

 

I did get it all sorted though, and found Win7 drivers.

 

So I am successfully dual booted now. Dunno for sure why, because it's there, I guess.

 

I seldom give up easily. Now that I've done it, I ask my self why...lol.

Reply #32 Top

Quoting ernie, reply 29
Not a big fan of HP, but I can't see them providing support if what your doing would void the warranty

HP simply told me that an OEM machine with a UEFI BIOS and OS installed in UEFI mode could not restore from a system image backup, other than a factory recovery.

 

From OP.

Called HP Support, went through 4 techs and 2 supervisors and was told that with a UEFI BIOS on an OEM rig, running Windows 8 that was installed in UEFI mode, you cannot install from a backup.
Only a factory reset would work if you can't boot. Which is totally ludicrous, IMO. Why make a system that can't use a 3rd party backup? People lose everything with a system factory recovery

 

Reply #33 Top

Downside is I have to leave UEFI and Safeboot disabled, but without an SSD, I'm not seeing that fast of a boot anyway.

 

Reply #34 Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 28
Being that this is an All In One PC, I don't have the ability to have a second drive. And lack of 7 drivers for this PC makes it a moot point.

 I sort of liked the idea of all-in-one PCs, with just a keyboard and mouse to reckon with space-wise, but I'm not so sure now.  I suppose, though, it depends on expectations and intended usage.  I don't think I'd have dual boot issues, however, so perhaps an all-in-one could fill a void where an easily movable machine is needed... like moving from the guest bedroom to a more public area when the grandkids are over..

I would of course have to get over my dislike of OEM machines - all the bloatware and hoops they expect you to jump through - but if it were just set up as a guest machine I don't suppose it would matter too much.

As for cuss words and the fear of repetition, I tend to use variations of well used ones to break up the monotony, and when I'm on a roll [using strings of cuss words when I'm really upset/stressed] some very interesting and unusual sounds can come henceforth from my mouth... a bit like Dick Dastardly but XXX rated.

And don't get me started about support personel who seem to have less of a clue than you do... or who are deliberately withholding because it's company policy.  When it's the former I ask to speak with someone a few levels up, and hang up if my request is not met... and when it's the latter I just say "Bye' and hang up.  I have zero tolerance of being feched around by people over the phone, so it usually doesn't take long before I hang up and get back to trying to fix things myself. Thankfully, with DIY PCs, there's no tech support to be frustrated by.... besides the fact that the forums here at WC/Stardock are often the best source for assistance there is.

Quoting Jafo, reply 30

Two words...

Aitch Pee....

And where have you been for the last couple of days, good sir?  There haven't been any major race events of late, so I take it you've been hiding under a rock as Ragnarok came and went.

;P

For those who do not know what Ragnarok is, it is the apocalyptic end of the world in Norse Mythology, where the major Norse Gods, Odin, Thor, Loki and others do battle and the Earth is split asunder.  It was supposed to have happened on Saturday... but then Odin may have found and wed his Frigg [his beloved] and averted this cataclysmic end for humanity and all living things.

Reply #35 Top

I thought you would have given up even reading apocalyptic propaganda after December 21, 2012 failed to cause the end of the world. ;-) :P

Still, if one really wants to cook in fear, there are plenty of horror movies that can sate that longing... maybe see how many horror movies you can watch in a row before you have a stroke or heart attack.  NOTE: I accept no liability for people who are addicted to fear and adrenalin so much that they would actually try this.  What you consume, is what you produce.

Make love, not war, or it will kill you.

Reply #36 Top

Quoting StevenAus, reply 35
I thought you would have given up even reading apocalyptic propaganda after December 21, 2012 failed to cause the end of the world.

I tried but discovered I was missing out on too many conspiracy theories... and one does have to justify the cost of these tin foil hats.

:-"

Reply #37 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 34
And where have you been for the last couple of days, good sir? There haven't been any major race events of late, so I take it you've been hiding under a rock as Ragnarok came and went.

World Superbikes [SBK] at Phillip Island....round one...2014...but I'm back again....;p

Reply #38 Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 37


Quoting starkers, reply 34And where have you been for the last couple of days, good sir? There haven't been any major race events of late, so I take it you've been hiding under a rock as Ragnarok came and went.

World Superbikes [SBK] at Phillip Island....round one...2014...but I'm back again....

Ah, the Superbikes!  Didn't know they were on again... but then I haven't been tuning into the news lately, so I would have missed any media info on the event.  Oh well, it's not like I could have attended even if I had known.

And no sign of Ragnarok down that way?

I got up Saturday morning hoping to see a bit of mischief and hammer throwing, but alas, neither Loki or Thor were anywhere to be seen... nor Odin for that matter.  Yeah, I'm beginning to think these legendary predictions of apocalyptic endings are part of a greater conspiracy, being as so many of them occur on weekends, days off. 

Frankly, I think it's a conspiracy by bosses old and new [as in ancient and modern] to make people feel on edge and unable to relax on their weekends/days off... and if they can't relax they might just as well be back at work.

It's like when Russian bosses, way back when, tried to get churches outlawed and closed permanently... cos churches taught that God rested on the 7th day, and thus it was the Sabbath.  Well they didn't want people thinking they were entitled to Sundays off so they lobbied the newly formed Communist government to shut 'em all down.

:-"

Reply #39 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 36


I tried but discovered I was missing out on too many conspiracy theories... and one does have to justify the cost of these tin foil hats.

Well, you've got that neat pirate suit, that Doc provided to you for free - that can help make up for the til foil hats. ;-) |-)

Reply #40 Top

Let me tell you a little story about that free pirate suit and why I can't wear it as much as I'd like. 

And why I can't bend over in it....

 

 

 

 

 

Doc thought it hilarious to design it like St Pauls Cathedral... with no ballroom. 8C