Cannot access PC due to bluescreen error

Question

The office was being rearranged and my PC was knocked/disconnected during a Windows update. Now the PC will show a blue screen error on start-up.

The motherboard also shows an orange light as seen here: https://imgur.com/a/y9jfKq8 (middle right of board), I do not know if this is related to the bluescreen issue.

My process goes as follows:

• Stuck on collecting error info screen at 0%
• Hold power button to turn off
• Unplug from power
• Hold power button to discharge system
• Wait
• Plug back in
• Turn on
• Dell splashscreen
• Windows icon with "preparing automatic repair" under loading icon
• Bluescreen with stop code KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED, but is sometimes IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
• Automatic restart
• Dell splashscreen
• Windows icon with regular loading icon
• Bluescreen with stop code INTERRUPT_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED and "Your device ran into a problem...we're just collecting some error info". This screen doesn't progress past 0%.
• Repeat

PC info:

Dell OptiPlex 3020

Intel Core i3-4150 @3.50GHz

8GB DDR3 RAM

I have already performed a thorough hardware diagnosis with no errors returned.

I have tried starting windows in safe mode, but the f8 key doesn't seem to do anything. Interestingly if I press the f8 key while Windows is loading, my PC gives off a clicking sound.

I have tried waiting to see if the data collection passes 0%, the longest I've gone is about 4 hours with no progress.

Answer 1

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

As far as I know, all Dell motherboards have this orange LED. It indicates that the motherboard is receiving power.

The abrupt shutdown during the update probably damaged the OS.

Repair the Windows startup by following the steps below.

You will need to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). In your case, to do this, you will repeatedly turn your device off, then on:

1. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device; (If the device is ON when starting the procedure)
2. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
3. On the first sign that Windows has started (for example, some devices display the manufacturer's logo with spinning dots when starting), hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device;
4. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
5. When Windows starts, hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device;
6. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
7. Allow your device to fully start. You will enter WinRE.

• On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair".

Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rec...

If it persists, use system restore to get Windows to the point where it was working.

Start your computer again in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

• On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore" and follow the onscreen instructions.

Feel free to ask back any questions.