Getting Error message " the operating system version is incompatible with Startup Repair"

Question

Original title: Windows 8.1 Automatic Repair - OS incompatible with Startup Repair

Today I came back from lunch to my computer with no screen or sleep mode.  I had to restart it as I could not wake it.  It went into the famous Auto Repair loop. 

• I've tried every option except the two that will wipe your files and/or programs.
• I was able to CHKDSK /R at the command prompt.  There was no issue.
• Restore comes up with and error 0X81000204 no matter what restore point I use.
• The log file for auto repair reads "the operating system version is incompatible with Startup Repair
• I have the original Windows 8 upgrade disc (not 8.1)
• I've disconnected all extra drives and USB except for C Drive and keyboard and mouse

My system is all new parts.  ASUS motherboard with an Intel i7.

What is going on?

Answer 1

Hi JMasno,

1: What is the Make and Model of the computer?

2: Did you make any changes to the computer prior to this issue?

If you have a Windows 8 DVD, I would suggest you to boot the computer into Boot recovery environment using Windows 8 and DVD and perform Automatic System repair on the computer. Check

if it helps.

Booting to Recovery Environment with Windows 8 installation media: ****Please follow the steps given below. Insert the Windows 8 installation DVD in the DVD ROM and restart your computer.

a) After you boot your computer using Windows DVD or System Repair Disc, a black screen appears with gray text "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD". Press any key.

b) Select the correct time and Keyboard type.

c) Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner.

d) Select Troubleshoot from Choose an option screen.

e) Click Advanced options in Troubleshoot screen.

f) Click Automatic Repair from Advanced Options screen.

g) Next, choose an operating system by clicking on its button.

h) Windows 8 will then look for problems on hard drive(s) and verify that all required files are intact.

Please let us know with the necessary information if the issue still persists.

Answer 2

Thank you for your response.  Yes, there was a Microsoft Update yesterday morning when I first started the computer.  I had to wait for it to boot so it must have been a bigger update.  The computer ran fine yesterday morning after it booted.  I left for lunch and the screen would night come on like it was is in sleep mode.  At that point I shut the computer down and let it reboot.  That is when the loop started.

I built my system from parts in December of 2013.  I am using:

• Asus P8 Z77-V motherboard
• 16 GB of ram
• Intel i7
• 1TB hard drive

I have disconnected everything except hard drive, DVD, mouse, keyboard, monitor.

Automatic Repair has failed. 

The Log file that is generated looks like this.  I ran Automatic Repair a few times.  I had to go into the Command Prompt to get this.reads

Answer 3

Hi JMasno,

You may refer to the article to create an installation media for Windows 8.1:

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media**

I would suggest you to refer to the article and try to create a USB recovery drive which will help you in repairing the operating system:

Create a USB recovery drive

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive**

Note: Creating a recovery drive will erase anything already stored on your USB flash drive. Use an empty USB flash drive or make sure to transfer any important data from your USB flash drive to another storage device before using it to create a USB recovery drive.

If your PC came with Windows 8 and you upgraded it to Windows 8.1, your recovery drive will include Windows 8, and you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 after you refresh or reset your PC.

Hope it helps. If you have any further issues on the computer, please post your question related to Windows and we will be happy to help you.

Answer 4

Thanks again but will not work because the link for the Windows 8.1 setup program will not accept my product key.  Maybe because I bought a Windows 8 PRO upgrade and the setup file is for Win 8.1.

I will be glad to send you my product key in a private email.  My Windows 8 PRO is a retail version NOT an OEM. 

How about sending me a list of command prompt items I should be going through since the command prompt is the only thing working. Thanks.

Answer 5

Have you been able to get into Safe Mode?  Possibly the Windows Update contained a driver and is causing some problems.

While you do that, if the board has Bluetooth, you might disable it in the bios...

Are you ever offered any Cancel buttons during the Repair Process?

The error you show will pop up if you are using a Windows 8.0 recovery media on an 8.1 system or vice versa...  Do you know what you were doing when the srttrail.txt file was written? 

How did you install Windows 8, Legacy or UEFI and are you booting the recovery media the same way?