Windows 10 reinstall error


  1. Posts : 5
    Windowe 10
       #1

    Windows 10 reinstall error


    Last night when attempting to run a clean install of windows 10 the percentage stayed at 2% for more then 9+ hours. Apparently stuck, I decided that there must have been an error so I booted again. Only this time, it is was giving the error saying there was no longer an os to boot from and to ctr+alt+del to restart. I have a digital copy of windows 10 on my external hard-drive, but when I plug it in, it now tells me I should try disconnecting any drives that don't have an os. The only physical drive I have connected is my external drive with the digital copy. Does it matter if the hard drive has other files I use for work on it separate from the digital copy? I have an msi motherboard, and can't figure out if its my boot priority or hard drive.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Have you ever booted the computer from this drive before and if so was it directly from UEFI/bios, or dual booting with the internal hard drive?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windowe 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    No, I just installed the digital copy I already had into my external drive. In the bios I attempted to set the drive as top boot priority but that didn't seem to work either
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    Ninetale said:
    No, I just installed the digital copy I already had into my external drive. In the bios I attempted to set the drive as top boot priority but that didn't seem to work either
    External hard drives are the most difficult to make bootable. What I would suggest is to make a bootable USB flash drive or CD/DVD of Kyhi's recovery drive. Boot into that, connect the external hard drive, and run the Windows 10 setup.exe from either File Explorer or command prompt from Kyhi's WinPE Recovery.

    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    It sounds like right now the external hard drive is set up only as a storage device and not a boot device.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windowe 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you! I burned the file onto a CD. Then changed priority in bios to boot the CD. The installation went fine until it went past the step for the product key. Its now telling me there is a compatibility error. Then when selecting repair computer into the troubleshooting option it said I was missing a partitioned file.


    ***UPDATE***
    I've been fiddling with the install for awhile now. When I go to the repair option. Literally none of the repairs in advanced options will let me use them except for command prompt, and when I tried using command prompt for repairs it didn't allow me to make any changes because I do not have permissions. When I go to the 'reset this pc option' neither of the options will allow me to use them because the drive is locked in the keep my files option. While in the remove everything option it says that a required drive partition is missing.
    Last edited by Ninetale; 14 Jun 2016 at 23:35.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    If you want a clean install of Windows select the custom install option. Delete every partition on the hard drive you are installing to, which should be drive 0. Then just click next to install to the big unallocated space remaining. Be aware that deleting all the partitions will erase the entire hard drive.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windowe 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    At this point I've been fighting with it all day. So losing my files isn't too bothersome. I cleared all the partitions and I'm going to try to install from there. I'll update on how it goes.

    **Update**
    Cleared all the partitions and it seemed like it was going to install. Went through the while windows installation setup, then computer booted again once done. Sending be back to the original setup page, so I have to redo the proces. This time I made sure all the partitions are cleared (missed one last time) and now I'm attempting for a second time.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    Ninetale said:
    At this point I've been fighting with it all day. So losing my files isn't too bothersome. I cleared all the partitions and I'm going to try to install from there. I'll update on how it goes.

    **Update**
    Cleared all the partitions and it seemed like it was going to install. Went through the while windows installation setup, then computer booted again once done. Sending be back to the original setup page, so I have to redo the proces. This time I made sure all the partitions are cleared (missed one last time) and now I'm attempting for a second time.
    When it gets to the message that the computer is going to reboot in 10 seconds, pull out all the USB storage devices. If you miss it and you reboot into the setup screen, just pull out all the USB storage devices and cancel the install to reboot.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5
    Windowe 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Followed what you said and everything worked out. :) You are a lifesaver thank you.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    Glad it was the simple fix!
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums