Boot Device Missing

Question

Hi,

After a force shutdown I can’t boot my windows 11.

I vaguely remember receiving a software prompt indicating low disk space or something and the need to force close that application. Then the system froze (mouse still movable), and I had to perform a force shutdown.

Then in the bios boot order page no longer displayed any devices. However with CSM mode enabling, which used to be disabled as default, all these devices reappeared in that page. Nevertheless, the system still fails to detect a bootable device and displays the error message "reboot and select proper boot device" when I tried to boot again.

Some details:

1.I can seemingly confirm that there is no hardware damage to that ssd, as I can still access all the files when connected it to my iPad.

2.I have a usb flash drive with windows 11 installation media. Using it to boot, I tried to run the Startup Repair but failed.

3.Still boot using this media, in Command Prompt I checked that ssd via diskpart. list disk. And that ssd (2t with about 1t free) was abnormally full with only 5MB available. update: this was a misreading, the space is normal

4.About the CSM mode, I’ve tried both uefi and legacy but none of them worked.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-server/performance/use-winre-to-troubleshoot-startup-issue#references

(5). Windows cannot Run Disk Checking on this Volume Because it is Write Protected

(7). DISM Error: 87 the Cleanup-Image option is unknown

I’m trying to repair the system with minimum damage as some important work still on it…

Appreciate in advance for any assistance!

Answer 1

An unspecified error occurred during system restore 0x80071a91

Answer 2

Using installation media:

⬆️Found these screenshots from others, I have a same situation

Answer 3

Thanks CatteryDeveloper

Since I can explore all the files by connecting it to my ipad, I assume that there is no hardware damage maybe? It’s a 1year old 980pro the system disk

But it’s weird that it and two other HDDs suddenly all disappeared in bios boot order page. which only shows my usb disk.

And why they reappeared with CSM mode enabled, but the system on it was still not detectable anymore when booting 🤔

Answer 4

Okay neat. I am not sure how much HDD space you might have left but sometimes an external usb disk is a good way to back something up. If you can enter cmd.exe you can try to explore the hard drive with notepad.exe and choose open file and choose all files instead of text files, in the drop down box. That's a start. It may be possible that the HDD space was used up by saving recovery points or it is possible the drive is listing the incrrocet size. This is rare but it can happen in a home-made HDD , aka fake HDD sold online usually strapped with USBs internally. Also if it is an older spinner disk 💿 it could be the reader head is close to being broken down or broken.