Stuck in Automatic Repair = inadvertently changed C: drive path?

zbook · 27 Oct 2018

This is Widows setup image of multiple partitions.
When a clean install is performed each partition is highlighted and then delete is clicked.
The partition disappears.
Once all partitions are deleted the drive becomes unallocated (no partitions)
Then Windows can be installed on a clean drive and create 4 new partitions:
a) recovery
b) EFI system
c) reserved
d) primary or data
This is a clean drive with only one recovery.
Once Windows is installed it installs Microsoft and non-Microsoft drivers.
Then the end users opens the website for the computer or motherboard manufacturer and downloads and installs the most tested drivers for the computer.
If there are additional drivers needed the open the component manufacturer websites (Intel, AMD, Nvidia, Killer Networks, Realtek, etc.)
Then Windows updates can be performed to update windows, windows drivers, and non-Microsoft drivers.
Applications can be reinstalled.
Any files that had been saved can be restored.
Once the computer is to you liking make a backup image using Macrium or similar imaging software. (acronis, aoemi, easus, macrium, paragon, etc)
Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect | Windows 10 Tutorials

This image is just for illustration to show that there are multiple partitions with one row highlighted.
Once the row is highlighted the delete button is then clicked.
The partition should disappear.
Eventually all of the partitions are deleted.

Attachment 210085

The computer is UEFI/GPT
See step 13 onward.
Clean Install Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

With a normal boot you could leave things as there are.
And if you run the log collector (BETA) version the files can be checked for problems.

dalchina · 27 Oct 2018

Sorry, but it still isn't clear to me how the partitions get removed (when doing the W10 install I saw the option to Format the partitions but to delete or remove?And if I delete one that is needed?)

From the Clean install tutorial, when installing Windows you are prompted to delete partitions.

You will have responded in some manner when you did the installation.

Please see the tutorial:
13. If Installing Windows 10 with UEFI

Your motherboard must support UEFI 2.0 or later to be able to install 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 10 with UEFI.
A) Delete all partitions/volumes on the Drive # (ex: Drive 0) that you want to install Windows 10 with UEFI on until that Drive # shows as unallocated space. (see screenshot below)

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The last is = I think = the Lenovo installed recovery of the original Windows 8 (would it be useful to re-use this partition for a backup/recovery of Windows 10? = since Lenovo has some kind of recovery system = which "might" explain some of the other partitions? = Maybe the partitions should not be removed?)

If you never wish to return this to Win 8 and the state in which you bought it, then this manufacturer's factory reset partition is just a waste of space.

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Separate comment applies about the older (Win 10) Recovery partitions created by previous Win 10 installations, and now redundant. They are not large, however.

xyz · 27 Oct 2018

Lenovo came with what they call = OneKey Recovery (OKR) = the key for this is called the Nova button. The OKR also contains all the drivers and apps from the original install.

https://support.lenovo.com/de/en/solutions/ht077084

It is now useless since it only has Windows 8/8.1 installed in the OKR

According to Lenovo this section of the drive is hidden by default = (not showing = so what are those sections showing?)

Some guy on Lenovo Forum found a way to replace this OKR = but it is complicated = and not something I want to get into.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-...ng/m-p/1829369

The Windows Key is “imprinted” in the BIOS so this is not a problem to remove partitions.

If the OKR is deleted with drivers would this affect a new install of Windows 10, or does this happen independent (by windows automatically) of the drivers on OKR (which might only be there if you wished to restore to Factory condition)?

I have included a photo of my Startup in BIOS = are the settings correct?

xyz · 27 Oct 2018

Okay, thanks for BOTH replies =

So I should now just go ahead and do a Clean Install = and in the window shown in zbook's last post = delete everything that is showing = correct?

(This will wipe out all partitions and when I press install W10 will automatically create all partitions it needs)

Update:

In process of Clean Install = have deleted everything I could (one partition I could not delete)

dalchina · 27 Oct 2018

That would give you a completely clean set of partitions.

What you could do with what you have is try restoring your old C: - that would give you confidence in using Macrium R to do that. You could then find out if that's viable. If you make a mistake- it doesn't matter, 'cos you can do a clean install anyway.

xyz · 27 Oct 2018

Attachment 210131

DONE!

perhaps a bit late to think of this, but wouldn't it have been better to have just the system in it's own partition, and the rest in another?

dalchina · 27 Oct 2018

Not sure what you mean, sorry. Windows 10 creates partitions by design and by default. The layout differs between MBR and UEFI/GPT, and there can be other minor differences.

It would be ideal to have Windows totally separate from
a. user installed programs
b. user settings
c. user installed drivers
d. user data

but because the architecture hasn't basically changed from the earliest days when disks were tiny, we are where we are, and it's very easy to corrupt or overwrite parts of the OS.

It would be great to maintain the OS independently of installed progs. Conceptually, should be possible, but it would need a major re-write, and I'd guess would have deep legacy implications.

You can(and I believe should) maintain your user data on a different disk or partition. Personally I don't use the default Music/Documents/Videos folders at all.

You can add your own folders to one of those libraries, or create your own.

That way if Windows has to be reinstalled, your data is untouched.

=======================
Now, a you've done a clean install, your two options are
a. Carry on, reinstall everything, recover data, set up your user account....
b. Restore the image of your old C:

If you think a) is quite easy, do that.
If you think that would take a long time, you could try restoring the image.

The choice is yours...

And whatever you do, start using disk imaging to back up your system regularly and routinely so you can very often recover - even if your disk fails- without technical help.

Macrium Reflect (free) + external disk - base image, then regular differential images (smaller, faster than the base image)

xyz · 27 Oct 2018

Okay thanks for that clarity

I am leaving it the way it is (and will make a backup straight away).

I can't thank = dalchina and zbook = both of you enough for the time and effort and the great help you have given me, I really appreciate it so much. Thanks so very much. It is heartening to know that there are still people in the world who help others and give up their own time to do it. Thanks so much!

dalchina · 27 Oct 2018

Glad it wasn't too hard. Unfortunately we have to be prepared for problems- not just the usual, simple mistakes, rogue programs, even hardware failure- but now MS releases and updates that introduce a whole range of new problems.

Caveat emptor! (even if you got it 'free').

zbook · 27 Oct 2018

Nice progress.
Your welcome.
After installing new drivers, applications and restoring files make a new backup image.
Then you are setup for many unexpected problems with backup images.

For extra preventative maintenance these are three administrative command prompt commands to check the operating system, component store, and the drive file system. They can be run weekly or anytime there are changes in performance.
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
chkdsk /scan