Windows doesn't boot after BSOD.

Question

Just like the title says. The laptop was working normally, got BSOD for no reason, I didn't install anything, the laptop was just playing music from YouTube. I didn't memorize the BSOD message, but I believe it said, that the hard drive was removed or something like that.

The system is installed on NVME SSD, there's another SSD inside the laptop, but a regular SATA.

After rebooting bios says there's no bootable media. UEFI sees only the SATA drive. I've created bootable USB and accessed the command line. Followed the instructions from the web I did these steps.

Assigning a letter to EFI partition and used this to rebuild BCD store

bcdboot C:\Windows /s Z: /f UEFI (Z being the assigned letter to the EFI partition)

Command line says "Boot files succesfully created" but nothing happenes after reboot.

I've tried chkdsk, it finds nothing. Sfc /scannow does not work. I don't know what else to do. Could that be, that the drive was damaged physically?

Answer 1

Hi Borys. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

To know for sure the condition of the hard drive, Test the hard drive or SSD with one or more of these diagnostics (unplug all other drives whenever doing repairs or reisntall):

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

https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test:

http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

https://www.seagate.com/manuals/software/seatoo...

Follow this up with a full HDD Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If none of those help you can try physically reinstalling the NvME SSD to see if you can get it recognized in BIOS and Explorer.

If not then contact it's manufacturer to get it replaced under warranty.

If you can get the drive detected then with all others unplugged insert latest bootable media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

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.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore to a point before the problem began, or keep working backward,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates, working backward until the problem goes away,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

and DISM Offline from https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/dism-offline...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following Option 3 here: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/354269/how-to-use-sa...

You can also create a new Local Admin account to replace yours: https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...

d) To replace the User account try to enable the built-in elevated Admin account from Option Five here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2969-enable...

Boot into this emergency Admin account (leaving password box blank) to create a new Local Admin account:

https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c...

Sign into the new Account, make sure it works correctly, if so move your files over via C:\Users, when ready delete the old account and change the new one to your MS Account if desired in Settings > Accounts > Your Info > Sign in with a MS Account instead.

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset. Make it a deep clean reset to set up a new account, with Cloud option to download fresh installation files so it doesn't use old onboard files that may be corrupted.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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