Looping the Loop!

Recently when installing a new application on my notebook running Windows 8 Preview in dual-mode with Windows 7, I ran into real trouble, big-time!

I had to re-boot and resort to Windows 8’s Startup Repair to resolve the problem. This is a similar process to the one I’ve previously used with Windows 7. Maybe the matter was complicated by the fact that I had set up a dual-boot situation. However, I really don’t know what happened.

After accessing the Windows 8 version of Startup Repair all appeared well and the process started. It seemed to take a long time!  The screen said  “Restoring”. At the bottom of the screen it stated I was in Windows 8 Developer. The so-called “Restoring” situation persisted with no resolution. Frustrated, I rebooted the computer to get access the BIOS Setup Utility. This didn’t work and I was back in the screen saying “Restoring”.

Normally, on boot up a set of options to do with the BIOS flashes across the bottom of the screen. You have to be damn quick to select the correct option. Usually, I press the Pause key to freeze the screen. In this case no information re the BIOS appeared on my screen. In vain, I pressed the F11 key, which I thought got me into the BIOS setup, but to no avail. Windows 8’s Restore process ground on. I was stuck in a “loop”.

Desperate to resolve this problem I used another computer to get into Windows 8 Developer Help department. This is the site where I found references to “loop”.

www.social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsdeveloperpreviewgeneral

After a short search I came across several entries from users with similar problems. All involved being stuck with a loop situation. I logged in via Hotmail and left a message outlining my problem and then decided to seek help elsewhere.

My next step was to use the helpful website, About.com, to see about Changing the BIOS set up. Here is the hyperlink:  How To Access the BIOS Setup Utility (How To Enter BIOS). The article with most help was as follows:  BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Popular Computer Systems

In this article most computers are listed. As my notepad was an aging Compaq I found reference to this in the list under HP. Here there were several suggestions as to which sets of keys you can use to get access to the BIOS.

This is the section relevant to my Pavilion notebook.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) – Pavilion, TouchSmart, Vectra, OmniBook, Tablet

• Press the F1, F10, or F11 key after restarting the computer.
• HP Tablet PCs may use F10 or F12.
• Other HP computers may allow access to BIOS using the F2 or Esc keys.

Now with some useful information my next attempt was to get into the BIOS Setup Utility.

I restated my problem “child”, ignoring the “Restoring” screen and pressed the power button. When re-boot commenced I tried the various keystroke suggestions and after several attempts found the F1 key worked. This gave me access to the BIOS Setup where I changed the Startup.

Finally, after much angst I rebooted the computer and got back to the dual-boot screen. My first thoughts here were to get access to Windows 7 and ditch the dual-boot setup removing Windows 8. However, I decided to prevail with Windows 8 and chose this option. Windows 8 opened without a peep and all was well! What a kerfuffle!

Thinking over the unpleasant episode I cannot understand why there is no uniformity within the computer manufacturers to make sure there are common keys to get to the BIOS Setup Utility. A common key would save a lot of time and anguish!