Trying to Boot From USB

[Ineedhelpsortof]

Hello “happy” helpers,
I have been trying to salvage an old laptop that I had years ago, but the hard drive has no bootable OS on it. (Long story)

I have created a bootable USB using an official W10 ISO from Microsoft and used Rufus to install it on my 8GB USB.

The other day I was able to get it onto the ‘Install Windows’ screen, but then towards the end it said something about ‘can not install...offlineSetting...’ or something.

Now I can’t get it onto that screen again.
When I power on, I select my USB device from the F9 thing at startup, which works fine, then the logo appears for about 20 seconds, dissappears and then....nothing. For hours.

I have tried everything from changing my BIOS settings (boot order), Legacy Mode, different formatted USB, different Partition type (MPR and GPT), and nothing has been working.

Not too urgent, but kind of annoying, and don’t want to go out of my way (no purchases or going anywhere) to fix it as it’s not important, just thought I’d try.

Also do the two file systems I have used for the USBs are FAT32 and NTFS, neither work.

BTW, none of my recovery drives or anything are available, my entire disk was erased in the first try of the process (told you long story)

[Ineedhelpsortof]

The text shown at the near-end of the almost successful installation the first time mentionsed something about Failed to AutoUnattend or something.

[Ineedhelpsortof]

Also the lights to indicate HDD activity is consistently on, not sure if it’s actually being used or not

[CherylG]

Are you sure the hard drive is good? Have you tested it using Diagnostics in BIOS?

[Ineedhelpsortof]

Hi and thanks for replying,

I performed a hard drive test (quick and extensive) and both came out as PASSED.

[Ineedhelpsortof]

PROGRESS UPDATE:

I used a blank DVD and burned the Windows 10 ISO file, it got the the Windows Setup screen and went fairly smoothly, until it got to the 'Installing Updates' part of the installation. It's now frozen on 'Installing updates', and I will leave it overnight to see if it progresses.

[Ineedhelpsortof]

So this morning it passed the Installing updates section, however it failed due to a ‘corrupt file’ in the image. I am retrying with a Windows 8.1 image, however it is not getting to the install screen again. I will persist.

[Ineedhelpsortof · Accepted solution]

Windows 10 installed!

sort of

It installed version 1607, and went to restart, only to find out I’ve been working with a damaged Hard drive! 

As it is only a ‘secondary’ computer (and one that I haven’t used for years) I think it’s safe to say it’s past it’s life.

Not quite sure what happened though... oh well.

[Ineedhelpsortof]

Hard drive is ruined, although not sure why disk test came back all clear... 🤔

[CherylG]

@Ineedhelpsortof

Not the first time I have seen a hdd pass Diagnostics when it was actually bad. I refrain from arguing with it since most posters do not want to hear that- until they are at wit's end and have to admit it...

New hdd's are inexpensive and most are easily replaced. Easier than jumping through hoops for weeks trying to make an obviously faulty one work.:smileyhappy: