How to recover Windows 7 on Asus Zenbook Prime?

5

If Windows decides to crash and burn on my new Zenbook Prime, is there a way to recover/reinstall/restore the operating system? I didn't get a restore disk with it so I'm not exactly sure how I would go about this.

This hasn't happened to me, but I'm kinda worried about how I will go about it if it does decide to happen

codedude

Posted 2012-07-31T02:40:57.607

Reputation: 441

Before you do something like a recovery, what is the problem with your current system? – Michael K – 2012-08-21T10:53:59.313

Nothing as of now but I'd like to know what to do in case something happens. – codedude – 2012-08-21T12:40:36.167

Answers

4

You may create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool.
You will need a Windows 7 ISO file, available here; just make sure you use the license key that's located on the power brick of your Zenbook Prime.
Finally, drivers and utilities are available from ASUS' support website.

oKtosiTe

Posted 2012-07-31T02:40:57.607

Reputation: 7 949

The link for Windows 7 USD DVD Download tools has been updated to http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

– bla – 2014-01-07T17:44:39.733

@bla: thanks for the heads-up! Updated the link in the answer. – oKtosiTe – 2014-01-08T21:18:23.737

9

Actually, the way to do a Factory Restore in the Asus Zenbook without a Windows DVD or Asus Recovery Disc is to press F9 during power on: when you first see the ASUS logo immediately after powering on the system, keep tapping F9 until you see a screen asking you to select the Windows Setup. From there you will be able to re-install the operating system back to the status it was in when the system first came out of the box.

F8 simply brings you to the Windows Statup Selection (Safe Mode, Last known good config, et) screen and ESC gives you the Boot Selection screen (if you want to boot from an external device like a USB key or other).

VeNOM2099

Posted 2012-07-31T02:40:57.607

Reputation: 91

DON'T FOLLOW VeNOM2099 recommendations below of pressing f9 to restore windows. I tried that and I lost the ability to get on the computer at all. No safe mode or anything. It started to process restore Windows and shut down after 1%. Completely shot my OS. I've no choice now to set up an external boot with new OS. Before I was at least able to get on my computer in Safe Mode. Now nothing. – None – 2013-03-05T12:28:07.317

3These instructions are to start the wizard that performs a factory install using the system image stored in a hidden recovery partition on the laptop's drive. It will only work correctly if the recovery partition has not been tampered with, and the drive has no corruption-related problems. If this process fails, you will naturally be left with an inoperable system. – Ashley Ross – 2013-12-17T20:38:37.733

4

The Zenbook comes with a recovery utility "AI Recovery". Use this to burn a set of recovery DVDs and then store them somewhere safe.
You can then boot off the DVD (with your USB cd-drive attached) and run the restore. Alternatively, pressing F8 at start-up will give you a repair option, this invokes the Asus recovery image that's stored on your recovery partition. Use this if just windows is crashed. Use the DVDs if you replace your drive or think you recovery partition is damaged.

This I learned as I'm bust doing it now as I type.

Jason

Posted 2012-07-31T02:40:57.607

Reputation: 41