Stuck in a loop!

[Labi]

Ken

"EaseUS Partition Master can directly convert GPT disk to MBR disk without any data loss (hard disk with system installed is not supported)"

This statement from your link seems to contradict my experience of EaseUs Partition Master, otherwise why would I receive a 'choice' message

implying that to continue with the conversion GPT to MBR would result in disk information being lost?

 

From memory, there is also an option to create a copy of the disk drive using the EaseUs programme.

What if I copied drive E: first and then went ahead with the conversion. Would the saved data transfer back to the converted HD....?

Just a thought....

 

I tried the Command you suggested to access System Restore. It works but it seems the machine is recognising itself - not drive E:

even though I input the letter E: at the prompt to begin with. The list of Restore points makes this clear because it references

the deleted file WinLocker as well as Adobe Reader - both of which I deleted in an attempt to resolve the Copy/Paste issue

plaguing us earlier on this machine, so it's definitely not looking at drive E: for some reason. Also, the available RP's only go

back as far as 29 April.

 

Sorry to keep posing questions rather than answers..

 

Labi.

[Labi]

Update: I just tried to run the convert programme again. Didn't get the options box this time though.

It seems I have to click on 'Apply'at the top of the screen - although there are no helpful on screen

prompts to advise the steps involved?

 

Finally, I returned to the screen after waiting a long time and clicked on 'apply', more in hope than expectation.

Then I got the option to shut down so changes could be applied. I clicked 'yes' and waited for the laptop to reboot

but it stalled during the reboot before windows could open and I had to abort the procedure.

Might have been a one off glitch so will try again in the morning. Watch this space.....!

 

Labi.

[Labi]

Update: Have now managed to convert GPT to MBR and perform 'rebuild MBR' option, too! (Don't ask!!)

 

However, Win7 machine does not open from the HD connected via USB even though USB is prioritised

in the BIOS. The good news: data is still intact despite the earlier abortive attempts to alter the HD

structure using EaseUs software!

 

Am away from home atm so can't try the HD in my Asus - but I'm not confident that it's going to

fire up quite honestly since Win7 BIOS seems not to find it.

 

Are there any other tests I could run in the meantime to check OS function....?

 

Labi.

[KenB]

Hi Labi

You mentioned earlier that you wanted to delete F: and combine it with E:.

If this is still the case we can do this now.

 

======================

 

but I'm not confident that it's going to fire up quite honestly

The only real test is to put it back in the Asus machine - sorry.

 

You will need to alter the BIOS in the Asus.

 

1. Disable Secure Boot.

2. Enable CSM mode. [ this is a compatibility mode for MBR ]

3. Save and Exit.

 

Give it a try.

 

If after all of this it doesn't boot up I am going to suggest that you install Ubuntu Mint. [ Free ]

This will, at least, confirm that the drive is OK and that it is capable of running an OS.

[Labi]

Ken

I think it's safe to say the F: partition must have been created in error and it now only contains

deleted files in the trash bin anyway...for some reason. So; yes, I would like to delete it and return the HD

to its previous state after which I'll try to boot Win7 machine from the HD one more time, in case there's

some mysterious improvement in its condition!

Meanwhile, operation Asus will have to wait until I get home in a few days time!!

Labi.

[KenB]

I will get back to you Labi - off out for the afternoon :)

[KenB]

To get the two partitions [ E: and F: ] to merge do the following:

 

Start > type in .....dskmgmt.msc ...... Enter

You should see two disks [ Disk 0 and Disk 1 ]

On Disk 1 should be E: and DATA F: and F: needs to be to the right of E:.

 

If this is the case - right click on F: and select "Delete Partition"

You should see something like mine below:

 

Your F: partition will be replaced by "Unallocated" space.

 

Now right click on your E: partition and select "Extend"

Follow the prompts by clicking "Next" etc.

Your E: partition will extend into the "Unallocated" space. [ see mine below ]

 

 

Job done :)

 

=============================

 

Have you tried F9 again with the drive in the Asus machine?

If we could get to the Recovery Options this would be great.

Edited May 16, 2018 by KenB

[Labi]

Ken

Job done! F: volume/partition is no more. E: has been expanded to fill the unallocated space.

No change in the way Win7 machine opens with USB connected, though.

Operation Asus must wait until I return home later this week.

I'll let you know how it goes soon...

Thanks, Labi.

[KenB]

I found a video on an Asus machine and "Data F:" was a standard partition.

I wonder if it was part of your machine set-up all along ?

 

Glad that you have managed to combine the two partitions as you wanted :)

[KenB]

If you can get F9 to work then do the following .....

[Try this to get F9 to work - Switch off - then hold F9 down - switch on again whilst still holding F9 down .....]

 

 

 

Then select "Restore Factory Settings" - this will revert your machine to the way it was when you first bought it.

Edited May 16, 2018 by KenB

[Labi]

Hi Ken

Back home and working on installing HD in Asus atm.

Now find a new message after rebooting......

"Reboot and select proper Boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key".

I haven't reset the BIOS yet, as you suggested earlier. Was expecting to go straight there as usual after booting tbh...

Don't want to upset anything so will leave the screen showing the message above pending your wise counsel!

Thanks Labi.

[Labi]

Update: Have checked BIOS and found that Secure Boot is already disabled & CSM Enabled.

F9 isn't opening the Recovery options screen so perhaps the only thing left to try

is operation Ubuntu Mint...?!

Labi.

[KenB]

Reboot and select proper Boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key

Can you check the Boot Order please?

It will be under Boot / Boot Sequence / Boot order or similar.

 

The Hard Disk [ HDD ] should be first.

If it isn't then there will be instructions on the page to move it up the order.

 

If you can get at the RAM module take this out and clean the copper with a pencil eraser [ gently ]

Replace.

 

Try F9 again.

 

Try booting up again.

 

if we get nowhere then I am inclined to agree - we should try Mint.

 

I think your BIOS setting re. CSM [ enabled ] should remain for the Mint installation.

I will get this confirmed.

[Labi]

Ken

Still no joy.

BIOS does now recognise the HD. (Result!)

 

Under BOOT - I find "Launch CSM [enabled]

& Boot Option no.1 ------[PO. Toshiba ........]"

"Secure Boot Control is "Disabled".

(Date & time will need resetting)

 

Can't work out if RAM connections are soldered or clip on/push-fit. In the circumstances think I will

resist trying to remove. It looks clean enough.....(?)

 

With HD in place, the same message appears every time I switch on - "Reboot & select proper boot device...."

F9 makes no difference.

Labi.

[KenB]

(Date & time will need resetting)

We mentioned this very early on.

If the date and time are showing incorrectly then the CMOS battery is not holding the BIOS settings.

 

This may need replacing before we go any further.

[Labi]

Ken

Ok. So date & time should automatically reset subject only to battery condition...?

Labi.

[KenB]

Hi Labi,

 

There are 3 reasons why the date and time shows incorrectly.

 

The main one - and the usual culprit - is the CMOS battery.

 

It could also be time zone related - but this assumes that you can boot into Windows.

 

The third is malware - again assuming you can boot into Windows.

 

So - logically - it would seem that the CMOS battery needs replacing - and this could be the reason that you are being thrown into the BIOS.

 

What is the date and time that shows in the BIOS?

[Labi]

Ken

Looks like I'll have to order the part. It's more than a simple battery: there's also a wire and connector

attachment too. The battery is very small - shirt button size - contained in a plastic sleeve which

doesn't come off.

Anyway: BIOS details - "System date [Mon 02/23/2009]

(The system time clock is running).

 

Labi.

[KenB]

Looks like the CMOS battery needs replacing.

 

I have just checked - your CMOS battery is not the usual CR2032 [ which is the size of 10p ]

It is CR1220 - which is much smaller.

The one I found costs £4 [ with the case and wires attached ]

 

I assume that you do have a standard USB port on the Asus machine?

 

Can you also check in the BIOS to see if there is an option to boot from an external device.

 

If it doesn't boot up after changing the battery we will go down the "Mint" route.

[Labi]

Hi Ken

Can you tell me where I can get the replacement from please?

Cheapest I've seen on Amazon is over £7.00!

Yes, there is a USB port on Asus.

 

In the BIOS under "Advanced" is - "USB configuration" - "Legacy USB Support -----[Enabled]

I assume that means there is an option to boot from external device....(?)

Labi.

[KenB]

Hi Labi

I have just looked again and it is a "used" item on EBay

ASUS TP300 TP300L TP300LA CMOS / BIOS BATTERY - 6 | eBay

 

I assume that means there is an option to boot from external device....(?)

No - Legacy USB Support simply means that the USB port is available when booting up / in Safe Mode etc.

It is also needed for older devices.

This will need to be "Enabled" but we must see if Booting from USB is an option in the Boot Order.

 

If you click on "Add New Boot Option" - can you add USB here ?

 

I have asked Rustys to advise you on installing Mint - he knows more about this than I do :)

Edited May 24, 2018 by KenB

[Rustys]

Depending on what we are planning to do with Mint there may be no need for an install just create the USB and use the live version.

 

FYI when you are booting into the Live version of Linux it will take a a bit longer to load unlike it would if on a main drive.

Edited May 24, 2018 by KenB

[Rustys]

See if this helps this way if you want you can reinstall Windows 8 OS and you will need to goto the system manufacture site to get the drives.

Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File)

[Labi]

Thanks Team for your combined efforts.

Can't find CMOS battery locally so will have to resort to Amazon (think it safer to pass on 'used' from EBay!)

May take a day or two to arrive. Update re outcome will follow idc...

Thanks again..

Labi.

[KenB]

(think it safer to pass on 'used' from EBay!)

I agree - I only posted the link to clarify my previous statement re £4 :)