Questions about Backtracker and windows problems.

[GabrielCMP]

Hello,
I have an Asus K46CM that came with Windows 8. Through it's use I've upgraded to 8.1 and to 10 normally, and never needed (or knew) about the backtracker backup option. But a few days ago, my Windows10 crashed and wouldn't start up, no matter what. I tried all recovery options, but all of them failed, including resetting to factory settings. I couldn't use Asus F9 recovery mode nor see the recovery partition because of the updates.
Searching up online I found a little about the backtrack, but unfortunately, as I can't start my Windows, I cant install on it right now. But I moved the HD to an external port and checked in another computer that the recovery partition is still there, but hidden. My question is, can I use backtracker from another computer and use it to copy my OEM recovery partition, but starting it from another computer, using the Asus HD as a secondary HD? I'm not concerned about warranties, I just wanted to recover the Windows original key that came with the Notebook.
Thanks,
Gabriel Pessanha.

[Falcon2_ROG]

GabrielCMP wrote:
Hello,
I have an Asus K46CM that came with Windows 8. Through it's use I've upgraded to 8.1 and to 10 normally, and never needed (or knew) about the backtracker backup option. But a few days ago, my Windows10 crashed and wouldn't start up, no matter what. I tried all recovery options, but all of them failed, including resetting to factory settings. I couldn't use Asus F9 recovery mode nor see the recovery partition because of the updates.
Searching up online I found a little about the backtrack, but unfortunately, as I can't start my Windows, I cant install on it right now. But I moved the HD to an external port and checked in another computer that the recovery partition is still there, but hidden. My question is, can I use backtracker from another computer and use it to copy my OEM recovery partition, but starting it from another computer, using the Asus HD as a secondary HD? I'm not concerned about warranties, I just wanted to recover the Windows original key that came with the Notebook.
Thanks,
Gabriel Pessanha.

We do not recommend doing it by yourself.

I would like to suggest you to bring back your NB to our service center.

The following is the contact information:
http://www.asus.com/support/Service-Center-All-Countries/

Also you can contact the local service center for help. The following is the contact information:
http://www.asus.com/support/CallUs#

[Korth]

I'd advise making a clone/image of the entire HDD (full drive, all data, all partitions), with ASUS CloneDrive (if you can run it) or with Clonezilla (if you can't). Store this image on another drive, insurance in case you (or ASUS) somehow wrecks all your data. Hopefully nothing goes wrong ... but an isolated backup is your chance to turn an irrecoverable catastrophe into a time-wasting setback.

...

You can create a bootable USB with Win8 (or Win8.1, or Win10).

You should NOT use it to do a "nuke-and-pave" full Windows (re)install. Doing so can wipe or wreck all your data and can possibly wreck whatever recovery/partition stuff (and drivers and softwares) ASUS has set up on the machine, especially if you're unfamiliar with cryptic DISKPART syntax. Chances are you don't have (were never really given) your original Windows Product Key either, which could cause issues during a WinOS install.

But you CAN use it to simply boot the machine and rollback to a recent System Restore Point. That might be enough to get Windows working (at least well enough to boot itself).

...

Can you recall what may have broken your Windows? Changed hardware configuration? Changed firmware? Changed driver configuration? Version updates? Installed or uninstalled software? Overclock, overheat, sudden power fail, anything?

It worked one day. It didn't work the next day. Because something changed (or was changed).