Resetting PC problem via windows and media creation tool

jacka27 said:

...I downloaded a windows media creation tool (couldn’t find a 16gb stick so put it on a 500gb external usb hard drive)...

Welcome to TenForums @jacka27

The MCT usually asks for an 8GB USB. The total size of the install files for 1709 x64 is actually 3.58GB, so it may fit (just) on a 4GB drive.

You can make a bootable USB by formatting it to Fat32 and marking its partition Active. Instructions here:
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 (post #270)

Copy all the install media files and folders from the external HDD to the USB prepared as above and it will be bootable.

jacka27 said:

I have also changed this to usb first which didn’t work. Is it just because I ha e an old pc or is there something more sinister?

With the USB as the first device it should boot.

It looks like you have a legacy bios system. Did you mark the USB partition as Active? For legacy systems this is essential, otherwise it won't be seen as a bootable device. You can do this in Disk Management (right-click on the USB partition for the options). It is also essential that it was formatted as Fat32.

Hi Bree I actually did both. Have a look at the screen shot. it has me baffled, but there is obviously something a miss. Lately I have had issues where my streaming options keep turning off and my VPN for work stops working so I need to set it back up.





Where do I go from here?

That's odd, a Fat32 Active partition should be bootable provided, that is, that you have copied all the correct files and folders to it from the install media. It should contain the following:

Code:

 Directory of G:\
17/02/2018  16:55    <DIR>          boot
17/02/2018  16:55    <DIR>          efi
17/02/2018  16:58    <DIR>          sources
30/09/2017  15:03                43 autorun.inf
30/09/2017  16:06           397,752 bootmgr
30/09/2017  16:06         1,236,376 bootmgr.efi
30/09/2017  15:03            78,784 setup.exe

That looks correct, it should be bootable.

Most bios have a 'select boot device' menu available at start up. Often this option is not available if you have Fast Startup turned on in Windows 10, so either turn it off of use 'Restart' (which does a cold boot).

For an AMI bios the key to get into the 'select boot device' menu seems to be F8. You'll need to be quick, so start pressing F8 as soon as it starts up.

With the USB device in the PC, boot it and try pressing F8 (often) from when you hit the powe button (stop if you get the windows splsh screen).

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answer...-ami-bios.html

With most all Asus boards, tapping F8 at power on will bring up a boot device choice menu...

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...e=en-us&page=1