Surface pro 5 can't re-install windows 10

Question

Hello,

I have a surface pro 5. I recently got the BSOD and it was constantly rebooting-BSOD. I got it into recovery mode and the tools were unable to repair it. I did get the bitlocker protected drive unlocked and managed to copy my files to a USB drive. Now I want to do a clean install.

I downloaded an image for my surface from MS and try to do a clean install. I get an error that Windows cannot be installed. I try again, and this time I got to advanced options and try to delete all the partitions. I then get an error that the drives are write only.

I feel that I am not getting my surface to boot correctly from USB, or the image I have is not good. I have also tried to boot a linux distro via USB unsuccessfully. Can someone help please? Thanks, Scott

Answer 1

Please veirfy that these are the instructions you are using: Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage  

(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly) 

and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB or 32GB USB stick (also called a flash drive) formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).  You can't use an actual external USB hard drive for this and don't use anything larger than a 32 GB USB stick. Best to purchase and use a new, previously unused USB stick for this. Use FULL format and not quick format and give the volume a name like surfboot. Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root of the formatted USB stick.

There are full instructions and a video at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023512/surface-creating-and-using-a-usb-recovery-drive#download but below are quick instructions.

1. Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in, and then insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port.
2. Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button.
3. When the Microsoft or Surface logo appears, release the volume-down button.
4. When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
5. Select Troubleshoot , and then select Recover from a drive .

*If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of the screen*.

1. Note:
   Be sure to select the Troubleshoot option on this screen. Don’t select the Use a device option. If you select the Use a device option, your Surface will reboot from the USB recovery drive again and the reset process will start over.
2. Choose either Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive.
   The option to clean the drive is more secure but takes much longer. For example, if you’re recycling your Surface, you should clean the drive. If you’re keeping your Surface, you just need to remove your files.
3. Select Recover.
   Surface restarts and displays the Surface logo while the reset process continues. This can take several minutes.

If you are not sure that you are booting from USB and have tried another USB stick, try this to boot from USB. Remove the USB stick. Boot to the UEFI:

1. Shut down your Surface.
2. Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface and at the same time, press and release the power button.
3. When you see the Surface logo, release the volume-up button.
   The UEFI menu will display within a few seconds.

Go to the Boot configuration tab. Insert the USB stick. Swipe LEFT on USB Storage to immediately boot from the USB stick.

Answer 2

Barb,

Thanks for the help. That is what I was trying to do. When I try to re-install Windows with the image it just gives me an error that it cannot be done. I had opened up a command window and tried to reformat the hard drive. I was given an error that the disk was read only. What is weird is that after I copied all the files I don't want to lose onto another usb drive, I was able to create files on the drive.

I had booted an Ubuntu USB install disk and tried to install ubuntu. It gives me disk io errors. I am thinking there is some part of the flash drive that is inoperable. I will wipe out what I can and send it in for a replacement.

Answer 3

When you boot to the UEFI, do you see this icon in the upper right corner?

If yes, it is a good indication that the drive has failed.

You can try the Surface Data Eraser; documentation is at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/microsoft-surface-data-eraser   the download itself is at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46703  - it will probably report a problem with the SSD or no drive found.

Answer 4

Barb,

Thanks for the information. I get an initialization error when the data eraser starts: 40004 which is an unexpected I/O error. So my drive is toast. I've got some insurance on it, so hopefully when I send it in, they will give me some cash so I can get one of the Windows Surface Pro 8s.