Running a system restore off a bootable USB

Question

My PC had been having random moments of really high disk usage (under "System"). I read that running a chkdsk may solve the issue, so I decided to give it a try.

After running 'chkdsk /r' it said I had to reset my pc to start the process. It took about 9 hours for it to finish, but now when I turn on my pc, it gets stuck on bootup saying "Repairing disk errors this might take over an hour to complete".

I left that going for 24 hours but nothing had changed, so I turned off my PC to try it again but the same problem occurs. It is a 2TB HDD so I know it should take a while, but 24 hours seems far too long. So now I'm trying my best to recover what I can.

I downloaded the Windows 10 Installation Media on my spare laptop and installed it onto my portable SSD with the "USB flash drive option". I then change the boot order to boot my PC with that portable SSD.

I click on "repair this computer".

My options here are:

• Automatic recovery which doesn't work.
• System restore which gives an error message saying "To use System Restore, you must specify which Windows installation to install. Restart this computer, select an operating system, and then select System Restore." (I'm unable to do this as this is the first menu I see when booting.)
• Opening cmd. This lets me access the files on the SSD (X:\Sources). I can't change it to the C drive as it says it does not contain a recognized file system.

So what are my options from here? If I knew running a chkdsk would have done this, I would have avoided it, but lesson learned I guess.

Ideally I would get the system restore working as I want to recover what I can.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Thanks for the update. I'm sorry it didn't work. I also ran out of ideas on the subject. But don't worry, this is a community of experts so maybe they can provide you with new ideas.

Have a great day.

Answer 2

Hi Mkirtley, welcome to the Microsoft community, my name is Bruno Leonel, I am happy to help you

I understand that you are having problems starting Windows and I am very sorry about that.

As specified in the question, a bootable flash drive has already been created and some tests have been carried out without success, correct?

However, try the steps below and see if you can resolve the issue. I ask you to kindly test even if you have already done it before.

First of all try pressing F8 repeatedly when the PC is booting, to enter the Windows Boot Manager. Then select the option "Start Windows normally".

If the above doesn't work try:

Boot with the Pen Drive.

When the installation window appears, click Repair your computer.

Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options;

System Restore to an earlier date:

Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > System Restore, choose a date and proceed with the restore steps.

If the above doesn't work try:

Fix errors on startup:

Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

Redoing the Windows 10 startup files:

Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt > sign in with your Account and enter the commands:

CHKDSK /R /F X: [Enter] "x:" will depend on your Windows drive letter.

Bootrec /Scanos [Enter]

Bootrec /Rebuildbcd [Enter]

Bootrec /Fixmbr [Enter]

Bootrec /Fixboot [Enter]

If the above doesn't work try:

System Restore keeping files:

Click Troubleshooting > Reset PC > Keep My Files.

If none of the methods give you a solution, perform a clean install of Windows 10 on your device.

NOTE: To recover your files and perform the backup, remove your hard drive and connect it to another computer, if you have the knowledge to perform this task. If you don't have the necessary knowledge, I suggest you take it to a professional. Back up what is necessary and then perform a clean installation of Windows on this HD by connecting it back to the source computer.

Source: https://answers.microsoft.com/pt-br/windows/for...

If the answer helped in any way, please mark it as an answer, if your question has not been solved, please post again.

I hope I helped, see you later!

Answer 3

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

1. When a Disk Check stalls out that is a flashing red warning that the hard drive may be failing. Test the hard drive or SSD with 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...

Follow this up with a full 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...

2. If the disk tests OK by completing both diagnostics and an overnight Disk Check - which you can check the results of here: http://woshub.com/view-check-disk-chkdsk-result... - then let's focus on the actual fixes for the known issues of high disk usage instead of irrelevant boot repairs:

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-disk-usage-windows...

https://www.cleverfiles.com/howto/100-disk-usag...

https://www.makeuseof.com/tips-fix-100-disk-usa...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/nf4...

https://www.technology.org/2019/07/07/how-to-fi...

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-100-disk-usag...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-100-pe...

3. If those don't help then Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page. Everything else depends on this.

4. Go over Windows using this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

5. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. Tutorial here: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...
6. And finally since you have the bootable media look over this tutorial for a gold standard Clean Install which compiles the best possible Install of Windows 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... Note that the driver steps are so important they are printed in red.

The reason I suggest this is that no one who has adopted the install in the above link has ever come back to report further problems I've seen, including another version failure. This is because everything in Windows 10 is dependent upon the quality of the install, especially Version Updates which will choke on lesser quality installs, and there is no possibility of problems if you stick ONLY with the steps, tools and methods in that tutorial.

It is also one of life's great learning experiences that will permanently make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to keep it that way.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

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.

Answer 4

Hello Mkirtley

To enter safe mode, At the logon screen tap Shift+f11 and restart button

A blue screen will appear and choose startup boot options, Computer will

restart, choose the safe mode you want to enter by the numbers shown

by the options to boot

Answer 5

First of all try pressing F8 repeatedly when the PC is booting, to enter the Windows Boot Manager. Then select the option "Start Windows normally".

This doesn't work. I can't find any way to boot the pc in safe mode.

If the above doesn't work try:Boot with the Pen Drive.When the installation window appears, click Repair your computer.Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options;System Restore to an earlier date:Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > System Restore, choose a date and proceed with the restore steps.

I can get to the advanced options menu, but clicking system restore gives me an error: "To use System Restore, you must specify which Windows installation to install. Restart this computer, select an operating system, and then select System Restore."

If the above doesn't work try:Fix errors on startup:Click Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

This doesn't work. It's unable to start.

CHKDSK /R /F X: [Enter] "x:" will depend on your Windows drive letter.

My HDD is my C drive, so I tried CHKDSK /R /F C: [Enter]. This started chkdsk again but on the command line, but it was much slower than before (probably because it's running off the portable SSD). The first time it took 9 hours to finish, but this one said 999:999:999. I had to abort it.

Bootrec /Scanos [Enter]

Says "Total identified Windows installations: 0"

Bootrec /Rebuildbcd [Enter]

Says "Total identified Windows installations: 0"

Bootrec /Fixmbr [Enter]

Says "The operation completed successfully".

Bootrec /Fixboot [Enter]

Says "Access is denied".

If the above doesn't work try:System Restore keeping files:Click Troubleshooting > Reset PC > Keep My Files.

The only option there is shut down PC.

If none of the methods give you a solution, perform a clean install of Windows 10 on your device.

This may be the only option left, but I'll keep trying for the time being.

Thanks for the reply!