laptop stuck on the same 'repairing disk error' screen for hours.

I have a very similar model. The hard drive started to fail on mine with similar symptoms. I replaced the hard drive with an SSD. Best purchase ever. Runs much faster than it ever did with an HD. Given the age of your brother's laptop, it's quite likely the hard drive is failing. Hopefully he has all important data in the cloud. If so, a new SSD and a fresh install of Windows 10 should do the trick.

Hi Jinan. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

If it never resolves the Disk Check it can mean the disk is failing. What it's doing is moving data off of bad sectors so it can repair or quarantine them, but it can start suffering cascading failures until it stalls or never completes.

The way to determine if this is what happened is to run bootable diagnostics, the best of which is Seatools bootable diagnostics long test from Seatools created here: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

User manual: https://www.seagate.com/manuals/software/seatoo...

There are also diagnostics built into HP and Dell by powering up while pressing the ESC and F12 keys respectively. Other testing tools here: https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

Follow this with a Disk Check which I show you how to do from the WinRE Repair Mode or Bootable Media's Command Prompt.

However before doing these tests if you have files on the drive you should rescue them because the stress on the drive from the tests may cause it to fail so the data becomes a priority even if it sacrifices the drive. Here is how to use Command Prompt I show you how to get to below to copy out data to USB external or flash drive: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

If the drive is failing, I'd replace it with an SSD which is the best Upgrade one can have - lightning fast, faster than a new higher-end PC without one - especially if you do the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

if the drive is good then Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button. Do this twice. The third time you power on it should start into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates as far back as necessary to see if this was caused by an Update,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-run-chkd...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://www.intowindows.com/boot-windows-10-in-... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/354269/how-to-use-sa...

d) From the Command Prompt try to create a new Local Admin Account to replace your account: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c..., sign in to test it, move files over, when ready delete the old account and if desired change the new one to your MS Account.

You can also try to repair the old account by running a Repair Install from the new account; https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof. Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.
6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Your files should be backed up at all times if you value them at all. In the Clean Install tutorial in Step 5 I give the best methods to back up.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi! Thank you for the guide, but it seems like I found myself confused in running the bootable diagnostics. :(

As for now, I managed to make an installation media drive from my old USB and was able to reach the recovery environment screen. Both steps 1 and 2 failed, so I resorted to method number 3, the command prompt, and ran a chkdsk command.

Up until now, it hasn't finished checking the whole disk. Is this normal?

Hi! Actually, my brother rarely uses his laptop so not many of his important data was inside, could that also be one of the reasons for the potentially failing hard disk? :(

But yes, thank you for the suggestion. Luckily I have managed to make a installation media with my own USB and was trying to work around the recovery environment now that I was finally be able to reach the screen.

Might as well consider a new SSD and a fresh install when none else works. :'D

If you're stuck again in Disk Check then I would run Diagnostics on the disk to know for sure it's condition since it may be failing and you need to know this.

Test the hard drive or SSD with one or more of these diagnostics:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test:

http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

https://www.seagate.com/manuals/software/seatoo...

Follow this up with a full HDD Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.