Solved The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again

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proz0r

proz0r

PCHF Member
Jan 13, 2018
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Hello everyone,

Lately, my second laptop does not pass the startup screen. It stucks in loading most of the times. So, I decided to do a system repair by using the windows 8.1 installation disc. However, when I did it, i get the message "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again". Any suggestions regarding this issue or how can i pass the loading screen because i need to get some files and then i am planning to do a format. Thanks in advance.
 
how many drives are in that laptop?
sounds like there's two and the OS has the boot stuff on the second but the actual system files on the first.
 
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Hello Bruce, I think that there is one drive but it may have many partitions. To be sure, let me know how I can check it. However, I will upload some pictures that may help you. Thanks!!!
 

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Yes one HDD and Seven partitions.

Does any one else use that system and did they or you try to install a second Operating system. The most I have seen Windows 8 and ever 10 create will be four different partitions.
 
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Hello Rustys, hmm I think you are right. I watched some youtube videos in order to fix it and I created 2 partitions as far as I know. I was always failing when it was going to bootrec commands (it was saying that it could not located the disk or something like that). Experimenting is always a bad idea :D
 
That is true which is why we always tell users to BACK UP.
You know that you can always come here and ask for clarification and or better instructions than is on most videos that can be found on line.
 
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do you have all your personal files on the machine backed up?
if not, that would be my first priority.
and to do that, you may need to extract the drive and put it into an external drive enclosure if you can't get the unit to boot.
once the data is secured, I'd be nuking that baby from space - that is, use the Win8 DVD and during that process take the offered option to remove all partitions and let Windows recreate it all for you.
sounds like you were already heading down that path anyway, this would be taking it to the next level.

then of course, why install Win8 when you can upgrade to Win10 (just an option).
 
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Hello Bruce,

No, I do not have my data backed up. This was my priority as well. So, basically, you are suggesting to remove the drive and take the data, which is something that I cannot do. So, I will have to visit a technician. Then, a fresh start. About Windows 10, maybe you are right but I have not checked the specs yet. Let me know if I get your reply right and then we can close the thread. Thanks again!
 
What @Bruce was asking...
Do you have another system that you can attach the Hard Drive to so you can get the information off the hard drive. Once the data was backed up to an (or more) external device then you can wipe the drive and remove the partitions.

Then it is simply putting the drive back into the original system and install the operating system and Drivers in the proper order.
 
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Hello Rustys,

Yes, I have another system that I can attach the hard drive but I cannot remove the hard drive from the laptop by myself because I do not know how. So, I suppose that I will take it to the technician, remove it and then put my data in an external drive. Then, I will do a format and I think that's it. Thanks!!!
 
look up YouTube for your make/model of laptop for instructional videos on how to do it yourself.
don't get me wrong - if you're happy for a pro to do it, that's fine too,
but I think you'll discover it really is quiet easy - especially if your laptop, like 75% of them, have the hard drive right under an access panel when you flip the unit over. The other 25% have them living under the keyboard and a bit more fiddling and care is required to get to them.
 
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Hello Bruce, I guess you are right because the hard drive is kind of big but it's okay, I will hand it in an expert. It will not cost a lot. Thanks a lot for your help! Mark it solved.
 
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