Recovery Error - can`t find the image path....M:/RecoveryImage/install.wim

Acupro1
Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User
in 2015 Archives

So I went out and purchased the USB drive from the Gateway site to restore this laptop back to new and when i tried to do it,it said recovery failed - can`t find the image path M:/RecoveryImage/install.wim.

 

I contacted tech support and they issued me a replacement USB drive, I get the same failure. 

 

I have diagnosed the HDD and it passes.  I have used diskpart to "clean" the HDD drive all to no avail.

 

Order number [edited for privacy]

 

What gives?

 

 

Best Answer

  • -Justin
    -Justin Member Posts: 2,362 Skilled Specialist WiFi Icon
    Answer ✓

    Acupro1,

     

    I have sent you a PM regarding this for research purposes.

«1

Answers

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    How did you make the Recovery image? You only get to make it one time, then if you test the Factory Recovery image and it works then you can make another Recovery image... I did. so I have 2 for my Acer. Now if you did not JAM it entirely, you can use RESET or Refresh or Restore - unless you destroyed all that ability. which many do, so little more info is needed... 1. Did you make a Factory Recovery Image.. as per Acer with the USB... 2. have you tried - Charms - settings - change PC settings - then down to Update & Recovery. more help available but need more better info...
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    As mentioned in the original post, I did not make the Recovery, I purchased it direct from Gateway/Acer.  After recieving the first one I got the error message above and so I called tech support for the portion of the company that sells recovery media.  They informed me that the media was bad, and sent me another USB drive.  The second one gave the same error.  I called back and they said the equivalent of "tough luck you are on your own".

     

    I need someone with from Acer/Gateway tech support (or someone who has gone down this path before) to tell me what is the problem with these drives I am getting from Acer/Gateway and help me to get up and running. 

     

     

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    You bought the Recovery disk from Acer.. and it fails to restore 2x. ok have you tried the Restore via the Factory Recovery image on the computer? have you used a NEW Genuine USB with the MS Image on it, all you need to do is insert the USB and boot to it, it will find and see and install no key needed, and it will Activate... 100% clean install.. all OEM Versions of Windows 8 and up do this.
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    Snuffy,

     

    As mentioned in the original post I used diskpart clean to remove all partitions.  This means there is no recovery partition still on the drive.  Before yo uask, yes it was necessary.  A virus had nailed this drive and it had managed to worminto the recovery partition. 

     

    The USB drive is a clean manufacturers original recovery USB stick (I purchased it direct from them).  For whatever reason the recovery process is messing up and I don't know why.  My suspicion is that it is pointing to the wrong drive letter.  I suspect M exists at the time it is extracting the restore files to the newly created recovery partition.  However after reoot the drive letter is changing and so the recovery can't find it.

     

    Chris

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Understand - when I insert my Recovery disk into the USB slot. turnoff the computer - wait about 1 min or 60s then restart the computer it auto sees the USB, it then automatically do - format - reset all partitions and make the fat32 partition unpact the recovery partition, installs the OS then Activates... so unless your HDD is BACK or infected with a ROOT or other wise it needs a LOWLEVEL FORMAT. - you might also remove the current HDD, insert a NEW HDD then see if the Recovery works... as far as i know any Acer OEM 8.1 Recovery will do any Acer OEM 8.1 - since the KEY is in the UEFI. and is not needed. and I also have used a NEW USB then made a CLEAN Install with M$ Genuine FREE DL or Windows 8.1 - it also will or should with no issue do all the same... and many have use a 3d part Partition Manager to totally CLEAN all Partitions from the HDD... yes DiskPart from the BOOT MEDIA should also do the SAME... and since i have ask more than once... what is the exact procedure your using. 1. insert USB 2. turnoff Computer 3. wait 60s 4. Start Computer and let it do all it is required to. 5. It will AUTO reboot and when it starts the Reboot - remove the USB... 6. it will then continue to move to HDD and finalize - which every time I have done this... starts 100% with MS how to
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    So the exact procedure I have been following is:

     

    1) turn off the computer

    2) Insert USB stick

    3) turn on computer

    4) hit F12

    5) Choose USB Drive to boot to

    6) Follow on screen instructions

    7) turn off computer

    8) Remove USB stick

    9) Wait for about a minute as it tries to actually run the recovery and fails with error above

     

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    Im sure that does not work. 1) turn off the computer 2) Insert USB stick 3) turn on computer 4) hit F12 5) Choose USB Drive to boot to 6) Follow on screen instructions 7) turn off computer(im sure this is the problem) it should reboot only and while it is rebooting (see #8) 8) Remove USB stick next you should see about 35 to 45 mins to reboot to HDD and have Windows installed. 9) Wait for about a minute as it tries to actually run the recovery and fails with error above
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    Snuffy,

     

    I think you are not understanding.  Following the instructions means that I have to wait about 45 minutes to an hour while extraction and such takes place.  At the very end of that it asks me to remove the USB stick and reboot.  I turn off the computer, remove the stick and then turn it back on.  Then I get the error.

     

    Chris

  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    Snuffy,

     

    No offense but system recovery is not rocket science and I am a trained computer technician who has done hundreds (literally) of recoveries.   I was really hoping to get someone who actually HAS EXPERIENCED this error and can help resolve it.  I have noticed others who have posted this kind of problem have fairly quickly had an ACER or Gateway tech jump in and request conversation via messaging.  I was hoping that would happen here.

     

    Chris

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    only trying to help, and also a 35 + yr Computer Tech. but i will not try to assist and upset any more. sorry to upset you.
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,413 Trailblazer

    just thinking....

     

    can you check on the USB recovery media if install.wim is there?

    is there any recovery/image folder?

     

    it would be interesting if creating a partition (same size of USB recovery media) on HDD, labeled recovery, assigining M as drive letter and copying the content of the USB recovery, this will solve the issue.

     

    there's something that's going wrong on deploying the install.wim file:

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn605112.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    actually No there will be NO install.wim - there will only be .swm(s)
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,413 Trailblazer

    .swm can be merged to a single .wim

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    i understand that but to said check to maky sure install.wim will be there or to check - and not very many people have the ability to remove and merge install.swms to install.wim, I know Acer program does, all i was saying is you told - check to see if install.wim is present. and NO it will not be PRESENT. due to Acer uses .swms on forums where I visit, proper check to see and insturctions are needed... that is all i was trying to do. - Retired Computer Tech - Shop owner with over 35 yrs experience.
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    Snuffy,

     

    In now way was i upset or frustrated.  I just wanted you to know that you were not dealing with a novice.  This is clearly and issue with the recovery process and I need an ACER\GATEWAY tech to address this.

     

    Chris

  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    IronFly,

     

    Thanks for the link.  I am going to dig around a little bit in there and see what I can uncover as potential causes.

     

    Chris

  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

    As a an addon I have also attempted with a brand new hard drive and got the exact same results.

     

    Chris

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    some info check to see if you recovery is close to my recovery. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16353842/Acer/acer%20recovery.png just some parts.
  • Acupro1
    Acupro1 Member Posts: 14 New User

     

     

    Below are the differences between my thumb drive and yours.

     

    When I look in the sources all I have is one file and I have a directoruy in the root called "data" that you do not have.

     

    Sources.JPGData.JPG

  • Snuffy
    Snuffy Member Posts: 150 Fixer WiFi Icon
    must be something new that does not work? Smiley Sad sorry but it does look strange as hell to me. lots of data and unless the boot.wim has all the instructions. NO way to work. so best I would offer is try this: MS does allow you to DL genuine Versions of the OS Windows 8 and up. then make a bootable USB with Rufus select and let it boot and install a CLEAN Windows. it will auto Activate if you BIOS is still genuine. Now also I do have access to (Private backups) that are Windows 8.1 (original) and with updates. my private links. if you want to try or need. I have never seen any such recovery as you have ... Dell, Acer, HP

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