Windows 8.x Hangs or Will Not Boot After Restart, Shutdown or Hibernate

Table of Contents:

1. Overview
2. Disable and Re-enable IRST Mode in BIOS
3. Reset Acceleration in Intel Rapid Storage Technology Setup
4. Apply Windows Updates and Other Patches

Article Summary: This article details a hang or no-boot scenario regarding computers using Solid State Drives and Windows 8.x, and how to resolve using workarounds and Windows Update.

Overview

On some Dell computers using Solid State hard drives (SSD), the computer may hang at the Dell or Alienware logo after a normal restart, shutdown, or hibernation. When the computer attempts to start back up, it attempts to do a fast startup, but cannot because of memory allocation corruption. This can be worked around by changing settings in the BIOS and updating settings in the Intel Rapid Storage Technology software.

Video (English Only) - Troubleshooting Windows 8 Boot Issues with Intel Rapid Storage Technology

Disable and Re-enable ISRT Mode in BIOS

Customers will need to modify a setting in the System BIOS to reset the Intel Smart Response Technology setting for the hard drive.

1. Restart the computer.
2. At the Dell logo screen, tap the F2 key several times to enter the System BIOS. The Dell logo screen is only available for 2-3 seconds.

3. Under the Advanced tab, locate the SATA Mode setting, and change it to AHCI.
4. Exit the System BIOS, saving your changes.
5. Allow the computer to boot to Windows.
6. Restart the computer again and return to the System BIOS as shown in Step 2.
7. Locate the SATA Mode setting again, and change it back to RAID.
8. Exit the System BIOS, saving your changes.
9. Allow the computer to boot to Windows.

Reset Acceleration Mode in Intel Rapid Storage Technology Setup

To enable Intel Smart Response Technology acceleration on the hard drive, perform the following steps:

1. Access the Desktop UI view of Windows 8 by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Locate the Intel Rapid Storage Technology icon in the system tray (the system tray is located on the right side of the task bar at the bottom of the screen). Double-click the icon to bring up the IRST window.
3. Click the Accelerate icon at the top of the window.
4. Under Acceleration Configuration, click the highlighted Disassociate link.
5. Click the Select Device link that has now replaced the Disassociate link.
6. Select the disk to accelerate (look for the largest partition size in parentheses if there is more than one item listed), then select Enhanced mode. Click OK to exit the IRST window.

The hard drive is now properly configured.

Apply Windows Updates and Other Patches

A fix for this issue has been included in Windows Update. Please be sure to apply all Windows Updates after configuring the hard drive.

Should the issue not be resolved after all posted Windows Updates have been installed, a supported Microsoft hotfix has been created to address this issue.

Visit the Microsoft Downloads website and search for KB2756872.

Select the download version Update for Windows 8.x for X64 based systems (KB2756872).

Download and install this update, and then restart your computer.