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Win8 hibernate crash - prep for reinstall: file locations?

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webtiger

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 2:51PM

Win 8 has crashed again after going into hibernate/sleep mode. None of the repair or refresh options work, so am going to reinstall.

Before doing that, I want to rescue folders and files that were on the desktop.

My question is, where does Win 8 store its desktop files?

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 3:12PM

If the files and folders are actually on the Desktop, not shortcuts, then they'll be in the Desktop folder.

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webtiger

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 3:57PM

Thanks rdave13. Have just used the Win Ultimate Boot CD to view my drives ahead of backing up the folders/files I want and the SSD drive with Win8 installed on - and I don't see it!

The crash must have corrupted it in some way as it's brand new.

Any suggestions for the best way of trying to view the drive and retrieve the folders?

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 4:11PM

In the folders tree in Win 8 the desktop folder is shown above the Libraries icon and the drives are then under Computer. If you can see the C: drive try expanding then to USERS, your name, Desktop.

I've always found it easier to put a drive in a caddy and connecting it via usb to a working PC to search around.

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 4:21PM

When you say you don't see it, do you mean the SSD drive itself or the Desktop folder?

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webtiger

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 7:15PM

Many thanks rdave13.

Yes, I don't see the drive at all (it has two partitions).

I've also since looked using Mini Tool Power Data Recovery and it also finds no drive. I'll have to look at the manufacturer's website for some kind diagnostic software to check it.

I think I'm going to go back to XP and wait for a good few months before trying Win8 again in the hope that this quite common crash type (going on half a day's forum searching) will have been fixed by then.

Thanks for your help, in any case.

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 7:29PM

You're using XP on a SSD and updating to Win 8? Did you realign the partitions first? Was trim set up from a third party software as XP doesn't support it. You'll need to set up the SSD to work with XP. Once sorted you should have no problems as Windows 8 will take over. As for hibernation you should disable it on an SSD. The more programs you install the more huge the hibernate folder gets. Filling your SSD to a point it will crash.

Once you're back to Win 8 disable hibernate, bottom left corner, right click the start icon and select Command Prompt (Admin), type in ‘powercfg -h off’ without quotes. That will disable hibernation.

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 7:42PM

OK. I might get my knuckles rapped for this but it might be an idea. You'll obviously know what bit version your OS is and the Windows 8 UPGRADE IS THE SAME. So try this, download the Windows 7 iso from here. (same bit version).

Burn to disk and install on your SSD. Don't attempt to put a key in as you haven't got one. You'll be on a time trial. Now install the Win8 upgrade from within 7. Worth a try.

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rdave13

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Posted December 28, 2012 at 7:47PM

PS if it's a small SSD the 1st partition should be for win 8 (100mb). If you don't mean that one then you should leave it as a single partition. Even a 120GB SSD is just right for OS and a few programs with hibernation disabled.

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webtiger

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Posted December 29, 2012 at 1:19AM

Many thanks for the suggestion. Will give it a try.

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webtiger

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Posted December 29, 2012 at 3:16AM

Have done the Win 7 install followed by Win 8. It runs but only boots with the DVD in the drive.

Also, the anti-hibernation command line instruction couldn't be actioned - the error message said I didn't 'have permission' to do it. Instead I turned off hibernate in the power section.

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