*** PREFACE: This Message is very long, and describes the Processes that John "Hotwire1" will be facing per the Restoration and Upgrade tasks of the Toshiba Laptop Computer.Feel Free to read / pass over what is of interest / non-interest, or simply move to the next message of the thread.
My hopes are to provide some type of "Map", to what should and may be involved with this process.
There are a lot of things going on, which may make things appear as "Outside Ones Abilities"; but that is not true!
It is just a very looooooooong process!
Anyone with Technical abilities may perform these tasks successfully; provided they have some type of a reference to guide them through the unknown, or the "Iffy" stuff!
--Thx!!!
S.E.T.
--------------------Response Text------------------------
The Update error message sounds typical of MS Operating Systems, of the > 3.0 base (anything greater than, or equal to Windows 95, SER 2.5).
As I have no clue what terminology changes took place in the Windows 8 development, the Utility which will be relative to the Operating System configuration process (what is taking place right now, which will eventually allow you to update the OS to Win 8.1) is the one known in XP as:
Automatic UpdatesYou may initiate the Updating processes Manually, or "Prune" the list of Update stuff selected by the OS & the MSDS Website Update Robot.
Basically, what is taking place right now consists of:
A: The Toshiba Utility performed a High Level Format (in an expedited mode, as opposed to the "Full" Method), which deleted the "Master Boot Record" and "Windows Root Directories", on the Fixed Disk Drive ("Hard Drive") containing the Operating System.
B: The first Reboot, which brought up the "Repair" Splash Screen, was the "All OK!!!" indicator (Bootstrapping was successful, ready for OS install). The Reinstall Utility will ask for some User input (maybe...), and proceed to the "check, record and verify Machine Hardware Configurations" steps (records used to place relevant devices & drivers in the OS during install).
C: There should be another Reboot requested at this point, typically if there are any Drives which require Real Mode or Specific Drivers to be loaded into the MBR and in DRAM.
Otherwise, the Machine will Warm Boot (reset back to POST), and the installation begins.
D: The OS installed will be the Build Version available at the time of the Disk Image, located in a Cabinet File on a specific Partition (usually D: or Q:) of the Fixed Disk Drive.
After the OS has successfully been installed, and Hardware is behaving properly
(which was the half hour time segment after selecting "Refresh"), you begin to see dialog boxes asking for user input.
After you entered the correct 25 Character Product Key for your (1) Seat License, you should be diving in to the "Tweaks, Printers, Networks and Locations" setup.
In order for the OS to perform its "Stability Tweak", there will need to be an adequate Internet Connection.
If there is no change in the Computer's "Mood" for over 2 Hours, verify if there is an Internet Connection, or lack of connection, by launching Internet Exploiter,... err, Internet Explorer...
If IE indicates a connection issue (text box with a message stating "Cannot Find Server at www.Microsoft.Com", or something similar), then you will need to Manually force the Machine Online.
If IE has connected to the web, you will be able to browse as usual. This means the "Stability Tweaks" portion of final Installation should be downloading a whole gang-load of files! If not, you will need to Manually Initiate the process.
E: After the relevant Files have been Downloaded, the OS will begin extracting these cabinet Files, and another Installation process begins.
Please note: the overall time for the following installation procedure's completion may range from 1 to 4 Hours!
F: For this Install Process, the Operating System will placing its self at the most current "Build Version", "Service Package" and "Key Issue Fixes".
For example, the Toshiba Re-installation Utility's Disk Image Cabinet File holds Windows Version 8.0211.001 - which has a Build Date of 2013-02-01.
As of today, the most stable and Secure Build is 8.0450.152, which has a Build Date of 2013-11-15.
After this final segment of the Update Install process has completed (and you successfully Reboot to Windows, AND can also use your machine...), you now have Version 8.0450.1521 - because the OS is current to the most stable Build, and your Hardware Drivers are more relevant to your Machine now then the ones contained in the Restore Cabinet File.
The newly acquired "1" at the end of the Build Version would be an indication that a major portion of the "Stabilize and Tweaks" work was specific to your Machine; such as a Board Level driver list has been "Rebuilt" for compatibility, and the Machine has almost a completely new collection of Drivers installed.
(Note: The added "1" may or may not appear, so please do not feel there is an issue if you do not see it!).
Congratulations!!!!
At this point, the Machine is ready for use.
There may be some minor Tweaks left for you to do, but it is stable and ready for Business.
Before diving in to "Application Setup", verify that the option to upgrade to Windows 8.1 may be performed, by Manually initiating the Upgrade.
If the OS does not complain (no error messages), and the MS Website has been connected to, you may perform the 8.1 upgrade.
Follow the 'Yellow Brick Road' through the Forest of "Agree to This, Agree to That" disclaimers; which if you pass through without the Wicked Witch grabbing you (fill in appropriate swear words as needed), you will be at the "known issues / Before You Proceed" and Installation "Readme" Files site/page.
Complete / Read what is needed, and if you want to create a specific location to Download the Update Cabinet file(s), create a new Directory ("Folder") on Drive C: before proceeding to the "Begin Download Process" section/button.
To create a new "Folder", open "My Computer", then open "Drive C:". Place the cursor in an open area of the Drive C: Window, then Right-Click Once.
A Drop-Down Box should fall out. Scan down to the lower part of it, until you see "New>".
Run the cursor over the "Arrow", so another Dialog Box opens.
Scan down the list until you find the "Folder" option.
Place the cursor on "Folder" and initiate this command by Left-Clicking on the "Folder" Command Bar.
A New Folder will appear, with flashing cursor placed inside the Highlighted text.
At this point, simply type in a specif name for the new directory, such as "WIN_8_1_UPGRADE" ((without the "Quotes, and no Dots (.) - these characters will likely put Windows into a Panic!)).
After the text is entered, simply press Return (Enter Key), then close the Drive C: Window.
Now return to the Update website to begin the Updating procedures.
Find your way to where ever the appropriate Update Forum is, then if everything is agreeable, perform the Version Update as needed.
The procedures will be similar to Build Upgrade, only you will be aware of more "optional" items -vs- "Suggested" or "Required" items that may be included with the selection and download.
If you are not comfortable in deciding what options to select / not select for download, just go with the items already selected by the MS Website tool.
Initiate the download process by clicking on the Begin Download button. There should be a Dialog Box asking if you wish to change the target directory; which you have the option to save the cabinet files in the Folder you had previously created on Drive C: (WIN_8_1_UPGRADE), or to save them to the default location indicated in the Drive Path List.
Which ever place you agree to save the download at is where you will need to go when / if you need to Manually initiate the Extraction and Installation process.
If the process is initiated by the MS Website, all that you need to do is wait for everything to finally complete, follow directions of any Dialog Boxes shown, and after some nail-biting moments where nothing seems to be happening, the most beautiful Dialog Box will appear, containing the most heavenly statement:
Upgrade Process Complete.
Windows V 8.1 has successfully been installed.
For This Upgrade to take affect, you must restart your Computer.
Restart:
YES
NO
Select "Yes", Cross Your Fingers, close your eyes, and recite this chant:
"Microsoft... Microsoft... Microsoft"
repeatedly during the Warm Reboot processes.
Verify you have successfully made it through the Bootstrap steps:
1st will be POST: Success will be indicated when the ROM BIOS hands the Machine over to the Real Mode persona of the OS; basically, when the "BIOS VERSION" text goes away, and the "Windows Splash Screen" is seen.
Take a deep breath, exhale, then begin the ore-mentioned chant at double-time tempo.
2nd will be WIN.INI related basics:
Success will be indicated by all of the following:
a: No "Black / Blue Screens Of Death",
b: Disk Activity is evident,
c: eventually (within 5 Minutes), you will be placed at the Login Screen.
Now you have passed 2 of the 3 crash points, and are on the way to the final Bootstrap point: Stability for everything of the Software Level.
This time, take Two deep breaths, kick up the meter of the Microsoft Chant to Speed-Metal Levels (>240), and hold on tight!!!!
Complete Bootstrapping success will be indicated by... well nothing!!!
If there are no protection fault dialog boxes, the Cursor moves when the Mouse is moved, the display has colors other than White Text on a Blue Background only - and, the most important, you are able to run an Application, and close it without hanging...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
you have successfully performed a mammoth procedure on your Computer!!!
All that is needed to do now is to re-register some Programs, final tweak whatever is needed, and pound a few Beers!!!
Good luck with this endeavor.
It may appear difficult, but mainly you will be sitting around waiting for something to tell you when it has finished doing something (typically will ask for user input), and if it needs to restart the Machine (if asked, say Yes).
Coffee is your friend here!!! You may find yourself dozing off over and over again, due to the continuous shuffle of File Extraction Verification and Update Success Verification text being displayed.
Let us know how things work out!!!
Good luck!
--Scott (EE)
