Windows 8.1 issue - can't refresh or reset machine
Hello All,
Not sure if anyone on here using windows 8 has come across this or not.
Last night my Asus S400c ultrabook installed a graphics update, this morning when I went to start it it won't load windows. It goes into an automatci repair mode, then says it can't repair it and sends me to the "toubleshooting" screen where I can refresh or rest my PC.
It won't let me do either, or anything else under the advanced options because This option does not work for me because it give me the following error message
"You need to sign in as an administrator to continue, but there aren't any administrator accounts on this PC."
so all I can do is hit Cancel and the process starts over again?
I found this link for Microsoft Support that seems like it would work if it would just let me log in.
If we have access to the Windows 8 / 8.1 media that matches the bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) of your Asus, try making a bootable USB stick with it (I presume your ultrabook, as is often the case, doesn't have an optical drive). If you don't have it readily available, you can... ahem... creatively procure it.
All you need it for is running a System Restore without the OS clamping down... or enabling the built-in Administrator account if the current one is disabled:
- At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes
- Type net user administrator <Password>
If we have access to the Windows 8 / 8.1 media that matches the bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) of your Asus, try making a bootable USB stick with it (I presume your ultrabook, as is often the case, doesn't have an optical drive). If you don't have it readily available, you can... ahem... creatively procure it.
All you need it for is running a System Restore without the OS clamping down... or enabling the built-in Administrator account if the current one is disabled:
- At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes
- Type net user administrator <Password>
At worst he should be able to get it from Asus support.
If we have access to the Windows 8 / 8.1 media that matches the bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) of your Asus, try making a bootable USB stick with it (I presume your ultrabook, as is often the case, doesn't have an optical drive). If you don't have it readily available, you can... ahem... creatively procure it.
All you need it for is running a System Restore without the OS clamping down... or enabling the built-in Administrator account if the current one is disabled:
- At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes
- Type net user administrator <Password>
Thanks for this, however it won't give me access the the command promt as it say I need to be an administrator......just keeps sending me in circles
You are also correct no CD, and no Windows 8 media install on machine when i got it
Why can't you get it to boot? Probably need to disable secure boot in bios.
I stick in the USB, then I reload the computer and press the "esc" key. This sends me back into the Windows 8/8.1 recovery mode set of screens and icons. However this time there is an option to boot from USB
When I select it all it does is restart the same as before and sends into the same circle.
Maybe you need to enable legacy boot, and enable boot from USB.
There is some setting in there that is preventing it from booting from anything but a Windows 8 boot disk of the version you have einstalled.
Thanks again Rathji, but still no luck.....I cna't seem to find a legacy boot option and I don't want to mess around in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.
I just might take it into Memory express have them reboot it with a recover USB. The wipe it and install Windows 7 and be done with it.
You don't need to update the bios, just press the correct key (F2, F10, F11, F12, or Delete usually) to get into the bios or get into a boot menu where you can choose which device to boot from (like a bootable USB stick or USB optical drive).
Should be a simple 5 minute fix to boot to a recovery prompt and then add the admin account. Don't pay Memory Express to do something like this. You can even install Windows 7 from USB drive if that's your end goal.
You don't need to update the bios, just press the correct key (F2, F10, F11, F12, or Delete usually) to get into the bios or get into a boot menu where you can choose which device to boot from (like a bootable USB stick or USB optical drive).
Should be a simple 5 minute fix to boot to a recovery prompt and then add the admin account. Don't pay Memory Express to do something like this. You can even install Windows 7 from USB drive if that's your end goal.
The problem is I don't have a bootable version of Windows 8 (or 7) laptop came pre-loaded and no media of any type was provided
I can get to this point in the BOIS by hitting "delete" key
And it says I'm an Administrator, but when i restart I'm stuck in the same loop again
Windows 8.1 issue - can't refresh or reset machine
Don't Worry Be Happy 
