Can't boot a Pavilion 23, Windows 8.1

[bucksolid]

I have downloaded Win8.1_English_x64.iso Installation Media and attempted to boot the computer using the USB with no success.  The limited diagnostics do not work, nor are the repair tools on media effective. I am unable to get to a command prompt in C: to run chkdsk /f /r or sfc /scannow.  The machine is old I know, but I would like to get into it long enough to retrieve images and some documents.

Does HP have downloadable repair tools to boot the machine, if so which?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

How did you transfer the ISO file to a USB flash drive?

You just can't copy and paste the file to the flash drive.

You have to make the ISO file bootable from the USB flash drive with software such as Rufus.

[bucksolid]

I made a USB using Rufus to the best of my knowledge.  When I attempt to boot the machine, I get the table of info (attached pic).  It is visible for about 60 seconds then is gone.  The result is a black screen.  I have left the machine running for up to 30 minutes.  Nothing happens?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, that looks like how it goes for me fast, but then a few seconds later, the Windows installation files start loading, so unfortunately, I don't know what the problem could be.

You set up the rufus utility as shown in the illustration on their website for Windows installations?

If so, it should have worked...GPT partition, NTFS, UEFI-non-CSM...

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

[bucksolid]

Yes, I used those instructions.  The setup did not have any popups as in the graphics, possible because I am trying to reinstall Windows 8.1?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I don't think that should be an issue, but I have never tried installing W8.1 with Rufus.

Another utility you can use to create the bootable ISO file on either a DVD or USB flash drive would be the old Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below.

I have used that successfully in the past on W7 & W8.

[bucksolid]

I ran the exe but nothing really happened.  I don't think I know the steps in using the install tool?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

It should have loaded the tool on your PC and you would then launch it from the program menu.

[bucksolid]

Same results, loads the info screen for a short time, ... then goes to indefinite black screen. 

I will not be able to get to this machine for awhile, but will monitor the community for whatever you'all can come up with for a solution.  Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I don't have any other suggestions for you to try.