PC Wont Boot

Question

My PC wont boot.

When I power on it goes into an automatic repair mode which takes maybe 5 minutes to load. From there I am asked what keyboard layout I have.

Next I have 2 options:

1. Troubleshoot 
2. Turn off your PC

If I choose to troubleshoot I have the following options

1. System Restore

       Following error message: "To use system restore you must specify which windows installation to restore. Restart this computer, select an operating             system, and then select system restore."

2. Uninstall Updates
3. System image Recovery

       error message: "An internal error occurred. The following information might help you resolve the error: Status_Wait_2(0x80070002)

4. Startup Repair

      diagnoses pc, but then says startup repair couldnt repair my pc and asks me to shut down or try "advanced options" which takes me back to these        5 options again

5. Command Prompt

      not sure what to do here, but it is in direction X: by default and doesnt recognize any other directories like c: etc.\

Any thoughts? This seems to have happened yesterday after shutting down as normal. The only thing I did out of the ordinary yesterday is use the CD drive and rip a CD which I hadnt done in a long time.

thanks!

Answer 1

If it won't resolve then hold in the power button to kill power, let it cool down, start back up and report status. Continue with steps as required.

Answer 2

It has been stuck on a "System Restore" window with "finished" in the box for hours.

Answer 3

If it won't start then continue with the other steps above as one will always resolve it.

If it starts you can go over 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.

If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Update History, then uninstall them from the link there, and immediately check for these again and hide with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

You can also use System Restore from within Windows to get back before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

You can also let the Updates install again as they may not cause the same problem, then if they do use one of the above methods to remove and block them.

Answer 4

The system restore option wasnt working previously, but after unplugging the power and holding down the power button for 30 seconds, it still immediately booted to the windows automatic repair option, but this time i was able to initiate a system restore. waiting to see what happens now. Id like to find out what it was that happened and prevent this from happening again. this isnt the only issue Ive had in the past month or so.

Answer 5

Hi Philly. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

Of those you've already discovered the most useful in this situation are normally Startup Repair, System Restore, the new Uninstall Updates button, and from the Troubleshoot Options to Reset saving files.

Unplug power and remove battery, press and hold power button for 30 seconds to release all power from circuitry, plug back in and power up to see if any change.

I will give you steps to access the Repair Mode to try all repairs to get Windows started, and if not to do the automated Reset or the superior Clean Install after rescuing your files. I will be standing by to help as needed and will not let you fail.

1. Use whichever method works in this link to access Advanced Startup Options: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc.... Easiest may be to force shut down the PC (by holding in the power button) three separate times to trigger the Startup Options. If one of these methods work, then go to Step 3.
2. If none of the other methods work it may be necessary to Create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC following the steps in the middle of the downloads page here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... Make sure to uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose only the licensed version.

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

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, then on second screen choose Repair Your Computer. 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. There is always a way to get the media booted and I will guide you until it does, even if necessary to reset the BIOS to defaults via several methods.

3. In the Advanced Troubleshooting options try to System Restore to a point before the problems began, try the new Uninstall Updates button, then Startup Repair, then if necessary from Startup Settings try to get into Safe Mode with Networking, or lastly Safe Mode.

If Startup Settings aren't available you can force Safe Mode from the Command Prompt following Step 5 here: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf..., or using the command to unhide F8 Advanced Boot Options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/22455-enabl... where you can also try the old reliable Last Known Good Configuration.

4. From Safe Mode w/Networking work through the Windows 10 Install Integrity 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....

Update your drivers from the PC's Support Downloads web page. Compare the latest drivers with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

5. If Safe Mode doesn’t work or help stabilize things then return to Advanced Troubleshoot options. Next try Command Prompt to run through Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist (above link) Step 10 repair commands including sfc /scannow, DISM, a full Disk Check: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri..., or return to Troubleshoot options to Reset Your Windows 10 PC.
6. Better yet use the same booted media to do the vastly superior Clean Install following the steps in this link to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...
7. There is a step to Rescue Files from the booted media or Repair Mode Command Prompt first: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

These steps are excerpted from my tutorial that compiles everything possible for Troubleshooting Windows 10 Failure to Start: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... You can continue with the other steps there.

To test hardware, Dell and HP have onboard diagnostics triggered by powering up and pressing the F12 and ESC key respectively.

Test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following these steps which test both the sticks and the slots:

https://www.wikihow.com/Test-PC-RAM-with-MemTest86

Test the hard drive with diagnostics:

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

Best is to use the 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: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

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.

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