My Windows Install from Hell

Scab on 16/03/2018 - 09:53

A little while ago I decided I would try Windows 10, have been running W7 Ultimate x64 for many years on a single install without issue.

So I foolishly download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and set it to create an ISO.

Left it for a while as my internet has slowdowns at the moment, came back an hour later and all my desktop icons had vanished; no systray, taskbar, mouse or keyboard, just the wallpaper.

WTH?

So I thought no big deal, I'll reboot and hit F8 and select Last Known Good Configuration, but that didn't work and I still had just the wallpaper.

Didn't have System Restore as I have an SSD and it's disabled, so I tried Safe Mode and also tried creating another user account to no avail.

Never fear, I can use my Windows 7 disc and do a repair but that came up as incorrect version even though it's the same disc I used to originally install Windows.

Then I tried a System Repair Disc I created when I first installed Windows and again it said incorrect version, also tried various Linux boot discs but nothing helped.

Now I started panicking as I realised I would probably have to reinstall Windows and start again.

Not that big a deal as I backup all my drivers, so I format and install Windows then proceed to install the drivers.

My Intel ethernet driver installed fine and there were no errors in Device Manager, yet for some reason I didn't have internet access.

This driver had worked OK with the original install so I thought the problem must be elsewhere and played around with the Intel PROSet settings.

After a few hours of frustration, I downloaded the latest Intel driver on my phone then transferred it over and my internet worked perfectly.

WTH, why didn't the original driver work?

Then I noticed an unrecognised device in Device Manager, ended up being a temperature probe sensor on my ASUS RoG motherboard, and of course ASUS don't make it available on their website.

Took me hours of screwing around until I put the original ASUS motherboard DVD in my drive and the error immediately disappeared without me doing anything.

WTH?

Finally, had issues with my no-name Bluetooth dongle, took me hours to realise I had to install Windows Mobile Device Center as Windows Update couldn't help.

Didn't sleep for over 16 hours and my legs were numb from sitting for so long.

Ended up making an effigy of Bill Gates and poking his eyes out.

Poll Options

  • 15
    Suck shit
  • 20
    Some people shouldn't use computers
  • 3
    This is why you'll never be a power user
  • 3
    Scotty and Scrimshaw should give you their contact details for 24 hour live support
Computing

Comments

  • onetwothreefour on 16/03/2018 - 10:00
    +4

    You need a tl,dr option

    • Scab on 16/03/2018 - 10:03
      +2

      I intentionally made it long so you can suffer like I did.

      • onetwothreefour on 16/03/2018 - 10:57
        +8

        Tldr means I didn't read it so I didn't suffer at all.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 16/03/2018 - 14:48
          +1

          tl;dr: Don't install Windows 10.

      • Yummy on 16/03/2018 - 13:14

        You funny.

        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .
        almost

  • boomramada on 16/03/2018 - 10:00

    Issue related to corrupt download/installation due to shitty internet connection. Try download and install again.

    • Scab on 16/03/2018 - 10:02

      There was no installation, it was set to simply create an ISO on my desktop.

      • boomramada on 16/03/2018 - 10:06

        Try install again, as clean install.
        Since your PC is old maybe you need to fish out some old Win7 drivers for it.

        • Scab on 16/03/2018 - 10:09

          Try install again, as clean install.

          Install what, the Media Creation Tool was set to download and create an ISO on my desktop which I was going to burn to DVD and use later?

          I wasn't going to install W10 for a few more weeks.

  • foxmulder on 16/03/2018 - 10:13

    I remember on installing Windows 10 and no internet. What I did is to use wireless usb to connect to internet then do Windows updates then suddenly I have internet.

  • Axelstrife on 16/03/2018 - 10:14
    +2

    Ok and why are you blaming windows 10 for an issue unrelated to windows 10?
    you didn't have windows 10 installed if anything it was the media creation tool that somehow caused the problem.

    Also why ISO?
    it's much easier to stick a USB drive it and make a bootable drive with that.

    • grog on 16/03/2018 - 11:34

      Yep, i download the iso then use Rufus to make a bootable flash drive with the iso , boot to that and windows 10 install to ssd in about 15 minutes approx.

      Much faster than booting to dvd to install

      Rufus ::

      https://rufus.akeo.ie/

      • Axelstrife on 16/03/2018 - 11:38

        You know the windows creation tool also makes a bootable USB right?

        • grog on 16/03/2018 - 11:44

          Yep, but i also use the iso to setup a new VM,

          So i can use both iso and usb for different things.

  • Looking4Bargians on 16/03/2018 - 10:43

    You need Dummy.

  • Ryanek on 16/03/2018 - 11:08
    +1

    Bill Gates get so much hate. His philanthropic efforts are so underrated.

  • elf888 on 16/03/2018 - 11:44

    I believe this is normal since windows 3.1
    1/10 comes out perfect when reinstalling/upgrading windows, 7/10 come up with some issues/hiccups and 2/10 come out with disaster!

  • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2018 - 12:09

    Next time download it and put it on a usb, then install from the usb.

  • Yummy on 16/03/2018 - 13:23
    +3

    Always clone your drive before any major upgrades.

    And speaking of clone…

    all my desktop icons had vanished; no systray, taskbar, mouse or keyboard, just the wallpaper.

    Double check your display setting. Sounds like you lost your main display (desktop 1) and you ended up looking at 2nd (extended/desktop 2) screen instead. That is if you only run it on one monitor.

  • aarn on 16/03/2018 - 13:24
    +1

    These problems shifted me to linux. Not that linux (ubuntu family) lack the odd issues. And I still run win10 from an external ssd for some applications - ripping dvds, e-microscope etc. Your problems would be compounded by slow internet speed, thus slower to access the help forums. Good luck in the future.

  • Sage on 16/03/2018 - 13:27

    Did you end up with Windows 10 or 7 by the end? It's unclear in the post.

  • biozet on 16/03/2018 - 14:44

    there is no way around this crap sometimes. I relate to your story and pretty much imitate the exact sequence you do when installing. Its the painful motherboard exceptions and that drive you crazy

  • 4wd on 20/03/2018 - 14:29

    Rather than create a System Repair Disc, perhaps image the OS partition after an install, (use something like AOMEI, etc), restoring it you won't get any 'wrong version' problems.

    Personally, I've never had System Restore work without screwing up the system so I don't use it, it's always been easier to reinstall from scratch or do an Upgrade In Place.

    Also, IIRC, if Windows installs a Service Pack then the original installation media won't match the current version so it won't let you do a Repair Install, you have to install from scratch, (eg. Windows install media is W7 SP0, Windows OS is W7 SP1).
    I've had this happen a few times, I always just end up downloading the install media that matches the current Windows SP level and then do a Repair Install.

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