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Okay, so some of us were in this boat. You have to reinstall Windows on your nice little Surface Pro tablet. But sadly you don't have a recovery partition or a flash drive! So what are you supposed to do?
Well, first you ask Microsoft support. That does not go well: they tell you to send them your Surface. But that's not really a good option - to lose your tablet for two weeks over a software problem? That's just not fair!
So, next, you try googling for help. But all you ever find are similar unanswered pleas for help, which usually end up being either unanswered or closed by moderators.
But fear not, as you CAN solve this, and you don't even need to do crazy things like making your own recovery image, or downloading one from weird Chinese sites.
----
HOW TO REINSTALL WINDOWS 8.1 ON YOUR SURFACE PRO WITHOUT A RECOVERY PARTITION/USB
Step 1.
Obtain a Windows 8.1 ISO. I can't tell you where to obtain one, but it is not a hard task.
The flavor Surface Pro uses is Windows 8.1 Pro x64. I used the EN-US version, as I have an American Surface, so I can't verify how other languages will work.
Step 2.
Burn that ISO to a USB drive. I suggest using Rufus for that: http://rufus.akeo.ie/
Step 3.
Boot your Surface from the USB drive.
To do that, hold the volume down button when turning on your Surface
Step 4.
Install Windows 8.1.
Step 4.5.
It will ask you for an install key, and might not accept your real Surface key. The reason for that is that the installer for Windows 8.1 does not accept Windows 8.0 keys (and your Surface might have one of those).
To proceed with installation, you will need this install key:
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This key is for installation only. IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE WINDOWS.
Step 5.
After installing the OS, you'll notice that it's not behaving quite right, for example, there are 4 rows of tiles on the start screen instead of three.
Go to Windows Update, and install everything.
Step 5.5.
If you installed with the install key, use this utility to get the original Windows key: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/30363-Windows-8-Product-Key-Viewer
Choose the "MSDM" option, copy that key, and activate Windows with it.
Step 6.
Enjoy your happily recovered Surface.
----
So there. That was a little guide on how to recover a Surface Pro without a recovery drive. I was in this situation myself recently, and Microsoft offered me to send my Surface to them - which would've cost me $200, as I live in a different country from the one my Surface came from, and also would've meant living without my tablet for a month or even longer. So I just fixed it all myself.
A lot of people seem to be posting in that other recovery thread, so I'm just gonna make this visible again.
Only one question, do I need a keyboard or mouse for that?
Cause I've got only wireless mouse and original type cover, which does not work for some reason, and that's why I want reinstall windows.
I think it should pop up the on-screen keyboard if you use touch.
Anyone else did this process and got the Surface Pro 2 back to "out of the box" state?
touch screen
has anyone of you got the issue with the touch controller? and after the windows reinstall did it come back?
regards
Worked perfect
Worked perfect on a MS Surface Pro 1, with windows 8.1 Pro install USB, no keyboard or mouse needed.
Thank you! :good:
Thanks a heap for this guide, thought my Surface was done for.
For those unable to boot normally into Windows, holding VolKeyDown + Power while the unit is off will force the unit to boot from removable storage (doesn't have to be a USB Stick, you can plug in any kind of bootable media, including a USB DVD-ROM).
Have fun!
Can this works for Surface Pro 2
westjgames said:
Thanks a heap for this guide, thought my Surface was done for.
For those unable to boot normally into Windows, holding VolKeyDown + Power while the unit is off will force the unit to boot from removable storage (doesn't have to be a USB Stick, you can plug in any kind of bootable media, including a USB DVD-ROM).
Have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Can this method work for surface pro 2?
syahchrono said:
Hi,
Can this method work for surface pro 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna try this now on my Surface Pro 2 because I got one with only scandinavian languages and I'm from Germany ^^ Will report back!
# UPDATE #
Worked perfectly fine
question
I just installed the latest Firmware / Drivers MS has pushed through Windows Update,
and i would like to refresh my Surface Pro 2 to get a clean install.
- First thing i did was create a bootable usb drive using Microsofts new 'Create Installation Media Tool'
. I selected 'Windows 8.1 Pro x64' in my native language which is Dutch.
The tool created a bootable USB stick, which i haven't tried yet.. before i continue i have some questions;
....
1. I copied my recovery image to a USB stick and deleted the recovery partition.
- If i reinstall Windows can i still use the recovery usb in case something goes wrong during the installation, or is it linked to your current installation?
2. Would Windows automatically recognize the serial number, which i believe is stored in the BIOS / UEFI, and activate Windows? I've written down the serial using the tool mentioned in the OP to be on the safe side.
3. Like i mentioned before, i installed the lastest driver / firmware package, will Windows automatically install the latest drivers after installation or first install more basic drivers to get WiFi up and running and then install the latest drivers?
4. When you install new driver / firmware software will Windows automatically update the then older drivers in the recovery image?
I've read the previous posts saying that everything went smoothly, but i just want to make sure i'm not forgetting anything..
i have a Surface Pro 2 btw!
koffiemelk said:
I just installed the latest Firmware / Drivers MS has pushed through Windows Update,
and i would like to refresh my Surface Pro 2 to get a clean install.
- First thing i did was create a bootable usb drive using Microsofts new 'Create Installation Media Tool'
. I selected 'Windows 8.1 Pro x64' in my native language which is Dutch.
The tool created a bootable USB stick, which i haven't tried yet.. before i continue i have some questions;
....
1. I copied my recovery image to a USB stick and deleted the recovery partition.
- If i reinstall Windows can i still use the recovery usb in case something goes wrong during the installation, or is it linked to your current installation?
2. Would Windows automatically recognize the serial number, which i believe is stored in the BIOS / UEFI, and activate Windows? I've written down the serial using the tool mentioned in the OP to be on the safe side.
3. Like i mentioned before, i installed the lastest driver / firmware package, will Windows automatically install the latest drivers after installation or first install more basic drivers to get WiFi up and running and then install the latest drivers?
4. When you install new driver / firmware software will Windows automatically update the then older drivers in the recovery image?
I've read the previous posts saying that everything went smoothly, but i just want to make sure i'm not forgetting anything..
i have a Surface Pro 2 btw!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1:I have no idea
2: Yes it will, I have a surface pro 1 and it was activated automatically, so i didnt had to do anything with my serial. (on a new windows 8.1 install)
3: Yes it will, but you can always install them manually (doesn't really matter unless there are issues with drivers).
4: Dont know (dont think so). (I havent ever uses a recovery installation ever, i always install everything manually back on .
Hi together,
I did the steps and everything went fine. But I had to disable secure boot at first.
Now, after the isntallation of Windows 8.1, I activated it again and reinstalled the default keys. Is this the way it is meant?
Or do I need to leave it disabled?
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
thrain2
So I have a question.
I removed my recovery partition to regain the space.
Does your method reformat the drive and repartition everything? Will it reinstall the recovery partition?
I remember all former windows os installations I've done allowed me to format the drive and clear the partitions and then either create new ones myself or use the blank disk. Win7 would (on a blank disk) create it's recovery partition.
So I went ahead and did it.
To anyone looking to do this, use the official media creation tool. It's free from Microsoft and extremely simple.
I didn't have to disable secure boot or anything, just hold down the volume and power button with the USB plugged in.
The installer let me delete all my existing partitions and it automatically created only the ones needed.
It never asked for a key and was activated correctly when I booted into widows.
I found the installer created 3 total partitions on it's own.
1st a 300mb empty partition which I believe is supposed to be for windows RE and required by bit locker.
2nd a 100mb partition containing an EFI folder.
Note: these two aren't supposed to be accessible, I did special mounting to check them out.
3rd the rest of my disk space was created for my system partition
I'm mostly happy with this.
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
iXNyNe said:
So I went ahead and did it.
To anyone looking to do this, use the official media creation tool. It's free from Microsoft and extremely simple.
I didn't have to disable secure boot or anything, just hold down the volume and power button with the USB plugged in.
The installer let me delete all my existing partitions and it automatically created only the ones needed.
It never asked for a key and was activated correctly when I booted into widows.
I found the installer created 3 total partitions on it's own.
1st a 300mb empty partition which I believe is supposed to be for windows RE and required by bit locker.
2nd a 100mb partition containing an EFI folder.
Note: these two aren't supposed to be accessible, I did special mounting to check them out.
3rd the rest of my disk space was created for my system partition
I'm mostly happy with this.
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this.good
Anyone tested this yet with a surface 3 or surface 3 pro?
Tried this with my Surface 3, which is stuck currently on Win10 10074, and the install key didn't work.
It works
I used the freeware ISO2Disc to burn a Windows 10 ISO file to my USB drive and I can then reinstall successfully. Remember to choose GPT partition style as Surface Pro can boot in UEFI mode only.
iXNyNe said:
The only issue I've had so far is I can't turn bit locker on, even though there is a 300mb partition, it's empty and bit locker complains about the widows recovery environment not being on the system dive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did basically the same, reinstall a clean Windows on my Surface pro 3, but can not turn on bit locker, too. Have you figured out, how to solve this issue?
Welcome to my tutorial !
You can find others tutorials related to the Cube i6 :
Update your EFI BIOS
Install Android 4.4.4 (Stock & RemixOS)
Disclamer: This process might contain ROM hacking, this is for advanced users.
Software included may be subject to copyright.
Flash your device at your own risk. Developer is not responsible for what you do on your device.
What you need:
Cube i6 Air (3G or Wifi)
2 Flash Drives (1Gb or more, and 4Gb or more)
OTG cable
USB Hub (3 Ports recommended)
WinPE for Win10 (Downloadable on my drive)
Win10 32 bits ISO (link in tutorial)
THIS IS THE LINK I'M REFFERING TO WHEN SAYING "THE DRIVE"
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8YPw4HjmqNCZktOZy1OTEN2ZVE&usp=sharing
What to do :
1.) Start by plugging the first usb drive (1Gb or more) into your computer, and format it to FAT32 using any formatting tool,
MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE PARTITION TABLE STYLE TO GPT, EITHER YOU WILL END UP WITH ERROR ON WINPE INSTALL
2.) Now you need to download WinPE from the drive, go to your device folder, then go into the windows folder, and download it.
Once you downloaded it, uncompress. You will find a "WinPE_XX" folder inside, take all of its content, and extract it to your freshly formatted drive.
Heres what looks like the root of your key:
3.) Your USB Install Drive is ready. You can plug it off and save it for later.
You now need to download a 32Bits ISO version of windows, if you already have one, it should work, if you don't, you can download it from Microsoft Website
4.) Now take your downloaded ISO, and mount it with either windows, daemon tools, PowerISO, or any Disk Image Manager.
Once mounted, you need to navigate to the X:\sources\ folder, and extract "Install.wim" anywhere on your PC. Thats the windows system we will install.
5.) Go to the drive, into your device folder, go to windows folder, and download the "Image_Recovery_Extra.zip" you can find there.
It contains recovery + Files mandatory for install (because the Windows PE we're using is hacked from Cube).
6.) Take your second USB Drive (of 4Go minimum, it needs to hold windows), and format it to NTFS Filesystem with any formatting tool.
Now you can extract the "images" folder of the previously "Image_Recovery_Extra.zip" downloaded (KEEP THE IMAGES FOLDER THIS TIME)
And also copy inside that "images" folder your previously extracted Install.wim image file.
7.) You're good to go ! You can unplug the keys from your PC, and start working on the tablet as of now !
You need to boot to BIOS settings, using "ESC" key at startup of tablet. Once there, go to SCU Settings, the bottom right square.
You need to set your primary boot to "Windows" in the boot tab, or the key won't boot. If it is already, you can exit SCU and start step 8.
If it is not, just select it, then press F10. Tablet should reboot. Press ESC again at startup, and start step 8.
8.) Now everything is straightforward: Just select "Boot from EFI File", select your USB key in the list, and go to EFI folder, then go inside BOOT folder, and select "Bootia32.efi"
The tablet should boot to a command prompt (it lags much, but we will install drivers later) and it should install windows automatically then shut down.
If install fails, update your BIOS and try again or post here for some help.
Preparation looks like this:
Working device looks like this:
9.) Now you can get rid of the installation USB keys, you only need mouse and keyboard. Fire up your tablet freshly flashed, it should boot to a chinese logo with a circle under it. it might reboot a few times, it is actually expanding filesystem and populating your win10 install. Wait until you end up in language screen. if it shuts down, put it on again if it does not automatically.
10.) Windows is ready, now follow the instructions, language, set your name, until you end up on the windows desktop. When you are here, you need to download from the drive the Driver Package for windows 10, which is located inside the driver folder, inside the windows folder of your devices folder. It sould be named "Z37XX_CPU_Chipset.zip"
Extract it on the tablet, and run the included "Setup.exe". When finished, reboot your tablet.
you can also find various driver i added for os switch and gyrometer
Congrats! You successfully Installed Windows 10!
I do not guarantee it works on every device, nor with every windows version, but it works in my installation with a regular Win10 x86 Pro.
There might be some upgrades to do, as I personnally hacked the WinPE that is available on Cube's site, with Windows 10 ADK WinPE,
so feel free to report bugs, enhancements to this method. and report cube for not doing this so far !!!
Regards,
Max.
Top! Thank you!
I had exactly the same issue and want to fix it this weekend. My I6 arrived on Thursday. Now I follow your instructions to update to Windows 10.
Hi, glad it is helping! tell me if you are having issues, or if some steps aren't detailed! i'll upload some photos later. if you need something for this tablet feel free to ask
regards
stalker2106 said:
Hi, glad it is helping! tell me if you are having issues, or if some steps aren't detailed! i'll upload some photos later. if you need something for this tablet feel free to ask
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Max,
now I have the first problem.
On my Windows 10 Image I do not have any install.wim file. There is only a install.esd (about 2GB) file in the \sources\ folder. But this file is not possible to extract with 7zip. The only *.wim file in the directory is the boot.wim. What have I to do?
scharrrfi said:
Hey Max,
now I have the first problem.
On my Windows 10 Image I do not have any install.wim file. There is only a install.esd (about 2GB) file in the \sources\ folder. But this file is not possible to extract with 7zip. The only *.wim file in the directory is the boot.wim. What have I to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, i don't know what ISO of windows 10 you have, but i found a tutorial on how to convert esd to WIM, so no worries (http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-easily-convert-install-esd-to-install-wim/) furthermore, i would recommend using PowerISO for extracting the file, as i'm not aware of how to extract from ISO with 7zip
Okay, thank you. With this it works
But I have some error when I boot the WinPE on step 8. I get the message: "The boot configuration data for your PC is missing or contains errors" File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error code: 0xc000000f""
On this point the tablet do not recognize any keyboard command.
scharrrfi said:
Okay, thank you. With this it works
But I have some error when I boot the WinPE on step 8. I get the message: "The boot configuration data for your PC is missing or contains errors" File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error code: 0xc000000f""
On this point the tablet do not recognize any keyboard command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is that \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD you are trying to boot from ?
You should select \EFI\Boot\bootia32.efi. If it does not work make sure your BIOS is at version 206 (its my case, so i guess it can be this) and if not, upgrade it with the provided tutorial, maybe you'll have more luck with that ? You can check its version on android by going to device info in settings and check IFW Version.
EDIT: The WinPE media might be trying to access your hard drive EFI folder to use its BCD configuration, check that too, maybe you can format that EFI partition before booting to winpe ?*
EDIT2: Check BCD integrity maybe, 262 144 bits is what it weights on my side
stalker2106 said:
What is that \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD you are trying to boot from ?
You should select \EFI\Boot\bootia32.efi. If it does not work make sure your BIOS is at version 206 (its my case, so i guess it can be this) and if not, upgrade it with the provided tutorial, maybe you'll have more luck with that ? You can check its version on android by going to device info in settings and check IFW Version.
EDIT: The WinPE media might be trying to access your hard drive EFI folder to use its BCD configuration, check that too, maybe you can format that EFI partition before booting to winpe ?*
EDIT2: Check BCD integrity maybe, 262 144 bits is what it weights on my side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know, why it says \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD. I selected the correct .efi-file.
But I think my tab is now gone. I have try the bios update from 203 to your 206. It have flash completed to 100% and turns the tablet off. I wait a few minutes and then I try to turn it on again for another try to install Windows 10. But it will not turn on again. It does also not recognize the charger anymore. I think I brick the i6 with the 206 Bios. What a bother!
scharrrfi said:
I do not know, why it says \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD. I selected the correct .efi-file.
But I think my tab is now gone. I have try the bios update from 203 to your 206. It have flash completed to 100% and turns the tablet off. I wait a few minutes and then I try to turn it on again for another try to install Windows 10. But it will not turn on again. It does also not recognize the charger anymore. I think I brick the i6 with the 206 Bios. What a bother!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, if the process went 100%, then there is a high probability it is not bricked.
Remember that still, you can boot using DnX mode holding power and volume +.
What do you mean by "it does not recognize the charger" ? when you plug it, the charging led does not light up ?
Thats very odd. because its not controlled by bios but only hardware derivation I guess.
please keep me tuned in on that !!
Edit: FYI I used the exact same BIOS on my model, which is a i632GB15378650186.
stalker2106 said:
Ok, if the process went 100%, then there is a high probability it is not bricked.
Remember that still, you can boot using DnX mode holding power and volume +.
What do you mean by "it does not recognize the charger" ? when you plug it, the charging led does not light up ?
Thats very odd. because its not controlled by bios but only hardware derivation I guess.
please keep me tuned in on that !!
Edit: FYI I used the exact same BIOS on my model, which is a i632GB15378650186.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DnX mode does also not work. And yes i mean, that the LED does not light up at all.
My model is i632GB15224920293. I think it is an older one.
scharrrfi said:
DnX mode does also not work. And yes i mean, that the LED does not light up at all.
My model is i632GB15224920290. I think it is an older one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. You mean there are older model with other BIOS System ?
I'm so unhappy to hear your story. I hope i can help to fix it !
Whatsoever, how can any BIOS accept flashing itself if its not corresponding ?
Good thing you point out there, but c'mon, how can your tablet be bricked if the process went OK...
Maybe you can contact cube about it ? Maybe if you hold power long enough it will turn off ?
Once the tablet did this to me, had to hold power 10s to get it back off !
EDIT: good thing I remember is that i had it shipped with 205 BIOS, so i guess you're right and its an older model you have. Still, I have spare BIOS Firmware 204 that I flashed for testing purposes that also worked flawlessly !
EDIT2: found that there might be tons of differents models like raspberry pi, look this one does not match with any of ours : http://winphonetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cube.jpg or maybe it is just a serial number generated from the # produced or the current date of prod ?
stalker2106 said:
Wow. You mean there are older model with other BIOS System ?
I'm so unhappy to hear your story. I hope i can help to fix it !
Whatsoever, how can any BIOS accept flashing itself if its not corresponding ?
Good thing you point out there, but c'mon, how can your tablet be bricked if the process went OK...
Maybe you can contact cube about it ? Maybe if you hold power long enough it will turn off ?
Once the tablet did this to me, had to hold power 10s to get it back off !
EDIT: good thing I remember is that i had it shipped with 205 BIOS, so i guess you're right and its an older model you have. Still, I have spare BIOS Firmware 204 that I flashed for testing purposes that also worked flawlessly !
EDIT2: found that there might be tons of differents models like raspberry pi, look this one does not match with any of ours : http://winphonetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cube.jpg or maybe it is just a serial number generated from the # produced or the current date of prod ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I think you are right, that the last numbers are any kind of a serial number. Do you have another Bios file? On the web I found only the 201. I can try to buy an ISP programmer and reflash the tablet.
And I have tried different buttons combinations on hold in hope that the tablet wake up again. But still nothing
scharrrfi said:
Yes, I think you are right, that the last numbers are any kind of a serial number. Do you have another Bios file? On the web I found only the 201. I can try to buy an ISP programmer and reflash the tablet.
And I have tried different buttons combinations on hold in hope that the tablet wake up again. But still nothing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats some freaking bad news ...
I uploaded 204 BIOS to the drive... cheers, fingers crossed.
It's a great news that the I6 Air is possible to upgrade to Win10 now. But before taking action, I have one question to clarify. After the upgrading, is the Android system still there and can switch over freely as before?
dahuzi said:
It's a great news that the I6 Air is possible to upgrade to Win10 now. But before taking action, I have one question to clarify. After the upgrading, is the Android system still there and can switch over freely as before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, windows fill the partition space that is already configured, it means even if you resized your android to a 8 Gigs partition, the windows will not erase it !
For the switching process, it is even better because YOU install the switcher, and configure it the way you want (dektop shortcut, taskbar button, ...)
I can bring windows screenshots on purpose if needed
regards,
Stalker2106.
stalker2106 said:
Yeah, windows fill the partition space that is already configured, it means even if you resized your android to a 8 Gigs partition, the windows will not erase it !
For the switching process, it is even better because YOU install the switcher, and configure it the way you want (dektop shortcut, taskbar button, ...)
I can bring windows screenshots on purpose if needed
regards,
Stalker2106.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clarification, another question, how about the system activation? Will the system become activated automatically?
And moreover, the drive folder you provided has no more WinPE available. Please check.
Thanks again.
dahuzi said:
Thanks for clarification, another question, how about the system activation? Will the system become activated automatically?
And moreover, the drive folder you provided has no more WinPE available. Please check.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, bad manipulation yesterday led me to delete archive from drive, but its uploading again !
I tried again the tutorial because of the problem of " scharrrfi" to check if its not broken in any manner, and it worked flawlessly !
Furthermore, the system is yours, and therefore, is not activated by default, it asks for a serial key !
Files should be on the drive later today
EDIT: The files are up on the cloud !
Now I wait for my ISP programmer. But I know, why I get first the message "The boot configuration data for your PC is missing or contains errors" File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error code: 0xc000000f"". I found the solution in another forum. There was a problem with the formatting of my USB stick. I have to format it with an partitioning tool to GPT. And then it should work.
If I know this before, I have not to try to flash the bios...
scharrrfi said:
Now I wait for my ISP programmer. But I know, why I get first the message "The boot configuration data for your PC is missing or contains errors" File: \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\BCD Error code: 0xc000000f"". I found the solution in another forum. There was a problem with the formatting of my USB stick. I have to format it with an partitioning tool to GPT. And then it should work.
If I know this before, I have not to try to flash the bios...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I admit that was kind of my fault telling you that upgrading your bios would change anything in your boot configuration, i'm so sorry
Let's hope this will work, still hope, windows 10 will make its way to your tablet no worries !
After some days of using it i report some glitches though:
Orientation sometimes get rekt, i dont know why but you have to set it manually...
Also the tablet is not as responsive as it is on android, but I guess power consumption is higher on windows, as it heats much more !
Sometimes i touch the part near the lens and it feels really hot !
Btw when on low battery, the power saver settings got me doubling my battery time, which is nice !
And on idle, locked, the battery charge way faster than on android.
Hi I have an other error - if I boot with the bootia file I got short 4 error messages: UEFILINUX ERROR [uefi_get_battery_status:121] Failed to get battery status - und error 160, 121 again and 149, all error with the battery. I haved update the firmware from 201 to 206. The battery is over 90% full in windows. Have you an idea whats wrong?
So I got a tablet (Neo Shift N81) that was exactly what I wanted, one that dual boots windows 10 and android. But I discovered that the Android portion barely has any memory and naturally it got full pretty quickly. Then I wanted to use the Link2SD app to expand its memory, but this requires root. One thing lead to another, and eventually ended up at this link (http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096), selected the T4 trigger but on my tablet didn't show any options to install the zip file. I ended up selecting recovery, and the tablet booted into its own recovery. By this time, Windows was gone at the OS select screen when starting up. Android still boots up fine, and when I click the option to "boot into windows", I only get this command prompt-like screen. What do I do now??
Hello and thank you for using XDA Assist,
Please create an account, so you can post in other sections.
Then please create a thread here:
Windows 10 General
Experts there may be able to help you there.
Kind regards
Trafalgar Square
XDA Assist
Hi,
I have a 5" android tablet recently acquired through Amazon, and it appears to be completely brandless, so I have no idea who made it.
I rooted the device and changed the bootloader image using the app "Boot animations". It booted, then loaded the animation and gets stuck there. it cycles through this three times before giving up and booting into recovery. Once in recovery I have no way of selecting any option other than "Reboot system now" as the only hardware button on the device is the power button. there are no volume, home or menu buttons of any sort.
There is a reset button on the back which simply takes the slightest click and it reboots the device. neither this, the power button, or any sequence of the two together provide me with anything other than a reboot.
I Then tried installing SDK with platform-tools and the usb driver, I also downloaded the generic android usb driver from google, and i've tried running ADB to no avail, neither of them will see the device, and device manager does not show the device under "Other", it simply displays it as a mass storage device briefly while it runs through the attempted boot sequence before entering recovery where it no longer appears in device manager.
I have a new 64gb SD card for it which i have done nothing with, I'm hoping that maybe there's a way of using it given i have no hardware buttons?
Does anyone have any idea of how I can factory reset this device?
I'm desperate here and have researched every forum google has thrown at me over the last two weeks.
Many thanks
Jody
hello @jody-michael
I don't know if there is a way to fix the problem.
Please see this post. If there is adequate time to change the boot animation file bwfore the device reboots, maybe it can help you.
Are there details of the device model under its battery?
Have a great day
Hello @yairku
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I stupidly didn't turn usb debugging on, so when it does briefly show up as mass storage, I can't actually access the storage, so can't access or change the bootloader files.
The other issue is its a sealed unit so I can't access the battery either. If anything I could do with some kind of clever windows app that can see the device and run a factory reset bypassing the debugging mode as it's not activated.
Hi @jody-michael
If the device has an mtk chipset, it might be possible to use sp flash tool to get the firmware from the device, edit it and flash it.
To use sp flash tool, a scatter file is needed.
I found this tutorial that shows how to create a scatter file.
I hope that It will be possible to replace the boot animation that causes the problem, with a good one.
If you are willing to try to create the scatter file, please let me know and I might be able to help you with it. I understand the steps of the tutorial.
Good day
There should be written something on the back of the tablet. Something more than just a serial. try to post a photograph. Once the device is identified, look for a ROM in an update.zip format. Copy the update.zip into the root directory of a sd card, turn device off, apply sd card and turn the device on. Hopefully, it will discover the update on the sd card and install it.
Best wishes...
Unfortunately sp flash tool doesn't see the device either. I've persisted with driver installs etc. I haven't been able to get the existing scatter file read or figure out where to get one for my device.
yairku said:
Hi @jody-michael
If the device has an mtk chipset, it might be possible to use sp flash tool to get the firmware from the device, edit it and flash it.
To use sp flash tool, a scatter file is needed.
I found this tutorial that shows how to create a scatter file.
I hope that It will be possible to replace the boot animation that causes the problem, with a good one.
If you are willing to try to create the scatter file, please let me know and I might be able to help you with it. I understand the steps of the tutorial.
Good day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks JoachimP,
I like this idea, however I don't know what rom to use. As you can see in the attached images, there's no indication of manufacturer name, model, serial or anything. All I have is its a 5 inch brick right now
JoachimP said:
There should be written something on the back of the tablet. Something more than just a serial. try to post a photograph. Once the device is identified, look for a ROM in an update.zip format. Copy the update.zip into the root directory of a sd card, turn device off, apply sd card and turn the device on. Hopefully, it will discover the update on the sd card and install it.
Best wishes...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, look at your 1st picture: CIOtCUD is the hint to the topic you should google for. Look at http://www.mastfun4u.com/2015/09/find-all-china-tablet-flashing-file.html, maybe this is helpful.
Regards, Joachim
Hi, i am sorry if this is not the right forum, maybe there are no forums about tablets.
Chuwi HiBook Pro - i want android only, how to remove windows from dual boot and save space.
it seems that all tutorials show how to remove android from tablet, but i would like to remove windows.
Thank you.
METAL66 said:
Hi, i am sorry if this is not the right forum, maybe there are no forums about tablets.
Chuwi HiBook Pro - i want android only, how to remove windows from dual boot and save space.
it seems that all tutorials show how to remove android from tablet, but i would like to remove windows.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows is probably the main/primary OS. If getting Android to boot is somewhat linked to the existence of Windows, then you might not be able to remove it. That's probably why no one did that yet.
Edit: I found this http://forum.chuwi.com/thread-1848-1-1.html
Maybe you can give it a try. Remember that you do it at your own risks.
Hi and thanks for your replies, no i dont want to take risks, as i am no expert.
the next question is
Can i show more space on android? the 46Gbs taken by windows? do i only get 9Gb of it on android ??
METAL66 said:
Hi and thanks for your replies, no i dont want to take risks, as i am no expert.
the next question is
Can i show more space on android? the 46Gbs taken by windows? do i only get 9Gb of it on android ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're trying to do is getting more space under Android.
That won't go without repartitioning. It's another task for the expert. Although you should be able to access (read) windows partition in Android if you use an app that can mount NTFS drivers in Android system.
Bigger issue. I just tried to reset from window to the if Android disappears. The tablet is stuck at some boot situation. Anyway to solve this plz?
METAL66 said:
Bigger issue. I just tried to reset from window to the if Android disappears. The tablet is stuck at some boot situation. Anyway to solve this plz?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not familiar with these tablets, so I cant help you sorry.
METAL66 said:
Bigger issue. I just tried to reset from window to the if Android disappears. The tablet is stuck at some boot situation. Anyway to solve this plz?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @METAL66 are you still stuck?
I don't have a guaranteed solution (I have original not "Pro") for you but the following helped me get Android working again when it got stuck at the Intel Inside logo.
This tablet is a x86-64 PC, and boots into a UEFI BIOS first.
1. If you don't have the Chuwi keyboard for this tablet, you can use an OTG (on the go) cable to connect a regular PC keyboard to it. I used a USB hub to allow me to connect a USB drive at the same time:
Code:
[Tablet] -- (OTG) -- [USB hub] -- [keyboard]
[USB storage]--------------------/
With the keyboard attached, you can press Del or Esc (a few times) during bootup to enter the BIOS config.
In there you can change things like whether to show a "quiet" boot or not. I turned it off so I see the AMI BIOS info when it first boots.
2. The official Chuwi Web site has self-contained recovery image installers (WinPE based).
This is the tutorial I used to recover Android while preserving Windows 10.
http -- forum.chuwi.com / thread-1283-1-1.html
Among the available recovery images is one that installs Android and causes Windows to be "lost"
http -- forum.chuwi.com / thread-1210-1-1.html
I'm not sure if the WinPE instance they distribute has full control over the partitions (presumably it at least has software on it to allow access to the Android partitions to repair the boot files write the image), but if so, maybe you can use it to delete the Windows Partitions and reclaim the space for use by Android.