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Unlock Drive
spooz2:
Inspiron NoteBook 15 (Inspiron3521)
Unknown reason, attempted boot showed MBR error 1 & 2 Used MBRWizard to fix MBR. Subsequent boot showed Disk Error.
Ran chkdsk /r....no errors!
Next, F2 into BIOS which showed Legacy mode w/optional UEFI BOOTgreyed out.
F8/F12 No Boot Priority available in Boot Manager.
As reported earlier I WAS able to boot into normal Windows via Window Boot Manager and Refresh/Reset. USB available (No built-in DVD player). Due to further attempts to correct problem, I no longer can boot in Windows via Windows Boot Manager.
Obviously, no internet now available. Somehow, I screwed this up too. 3rd party tools assessible via USB which has Win 8.1 installation files & is bootable to Windows Install (Logo) page which gives assess to Refresh, Reset, Advanced Options etc. via Repair this PC lower left of page.
CrystalDiskInfo & GSmart show HD in good health.
Have not tried Paragon stuff which is tranferable from my other PC to problem NoteBook via its USB.
Repeat current state: Windows not available. Only USB Win 8.1 installation.
Paragon stuff next!
I get the feeling that I have reduced my options to a full install of Windows 8.1.
TIA
Boggin:
For some reason or other the Boot process is slipping past the Boot sector of the HDD and because it cannot find a media with an OS, it ended up on the last Boot option of LAN and because that didn't have an OS because its function is somewhat more involved (above my head) http://www.howtogeek.com/57601/what-is-network-booting-pxe-and-how-can-you-use-it/ it returned the Realtek Media Test Failure error and was why I wanted you to check the condition of your HDD.
As no problems have been found with the HDD and a chkdsk /r will have also repaired the MFT, I'm still hopeful that Paragon will help.
I'm also wondering if resetting the CMOS on your machine would help if you can still get into the BIOS and that option is still available -
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN284985/EN
Depending upon what the manual says for your model, you may also be able to reset the CMOS by removing the CMOS battery for a couple of minutes.
I'd hang slack on a reinstall as Shane may have a workaround for this Lock up problem, but as he doesn't work weekends, he maybe back sometime today or tomorrow.
BTW - Is the laptop still under warranty ?
Shane:
I have seen the unlock your drive before, normally it means that the drive wasn't properly unmounted, and chkdsk normally fixes it. But with Windows 8 and the pain in the butt EFI bios protecting the master boot record this becomes a lot harder.
If Windows was installed with EFI enabled it may need to be enabled for Windows to repair it. Otherwise when I turn EFI or I should say UEFI off I then delete the drive partitions and install fresh. But I dont think you want to do that lol
But from the sounds of it, UEFI was used, the master boot recorded has been corrupted and so Windows 8 is being a punk about it, thinking the drive is locked, when it isnt. This is one of the reasons I hate UEFI and never use it, if my system or a customers goes down i want to be able to fix it like I always could and not have to mess with this crap :tongue:
If you are up for it, it might be good to disable the UEFI, and in store bought machine that is normally done by turning off secure boot.
Shane
geometer:
Shane,
Unable to turn off secure boot. Unable to change mode to Legacy (Standard). Is a full format installation my only option?
TIA
spooz2
Boggin:
Does the Reset option also report Locked drive ?
The Paragon disk has a file transfer wizard which should allow you to get in to back up your personal stuff if you have to go back to square one.
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