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Win11 Phase1_Initialization_Failed, startup repair could not find windows installation

Anonymous
2024-02-24T00:08:16+00:00

Hi,

I was using my computer as usual and suddenly had a BSOD, and then I wasn't able to startup afterwards. It gives me a BSOD of Phase1_Initialization Failed error every time I boot or restart.

The disk is BitLocker encrypted. I have the recovery keys, which I then used to try to boot into safe mode, which failed with the same BSOD error.

Afterwards I tried using the Win11 ISO on a USB stick to do a startup repair, which failed without telling me anything. System restore gives an error that a Windows installation was not selected.

I suspect something related to the disk being encrypted and the win11 repair could not identify the disk having win11 installed on it. I tried using the command prompt to list the disks, and only the USB appeared.

I couldn't find anything, wonder if anyone has an idea how to solve this, or get the repair ISO to read/mount the encrypted disk?

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Performance and system failures***

Edit:

I managed to make the repair disk find the windows installation. Apparently the installation ISO does not have the drivers for the hard drive, so I had to download them from another computer and put it on the usb stick, install them from Troubleshoot >> Restore from Image >> Install drivers (When it complains about finding no images). Afterwards, cancel restoring, and more options would show up on the troubleshoot menu. Now I could click on startup repair/command line, then it would ask me about the BitLocker recovery key, which I could enter and do startup repairs.

However, for some reason, the hard drive would be mounted on D:, which then restore from recovery point somehow marks it as C:, and complains that the drive needs checking/repairing and prevents me from restoring. chkdsk and sfc does not work after 2 hours of attempted repair. I went on to reinstall Windows.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Recovery key

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-02-27T08:10:02+00:00

    Hi MageEagle,

    since you were able to reinstall Windows, it seems that the issue may have been related to the BitLocker encryption on the disk.

    In the future, if you encounter a similar issue with a BitLocker-encrypted disk, you can try using the BitLocker recovery key to unlock the disk and access the data. You can also try using the BitLocker Repair Tool to repair the encrypted disk.

    Have a nice day.

    Kind regards,

    Lei

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