Windows 10 not boot correctly

Question

Hi all,

After an update last week, one of my computers is not booting correctly. The booting process starts, but gets stuck when the Windows logo is displayed. Initially, the rotating dot circle appears under the logo, but then disappears and from them on, it appears that the computer is non-responsive.

The only way to recover is through the reset or power button. When I restart the computer, the Windows logo displays then I get a message indicating that the repair process is starting, then another message indicating that the PC is being diagnosed. After that it either boots into the desktop or it once again gets stuck as described above.

If I can get back to the desktop I am thinking of going back to a previous restore point, but wanted to post here to see if anyone else is experiencing this behavior and/or has any advice to offer. Thank you! Saga

Answer 1

What are the status of the important computer files:
a) files backed up to another drive or the cloud
b) backed up images saved to another drive or the cloud
c) no backed up files or images > files need to be saved
d) no backed up files or images > files do not need to be saved

Please perform the following steps:

1) Find 3 flash drives that you can format (> or = 8 GB)

2) Make tools that can be used to recover important files, test the drives, and troubleshoot

3) On a working computer create:

a) a new bootable windows 10 iso 21H1:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Download Windows 10 ISO File
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create-bootable-usb-flash-drive-install-windows-10-a.html

b) a bootable Ubuntu flash drive:
Create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu tutorials
https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#0
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2147063/linux-to-the-rescue-how-ubuntu-can-help-a-computer-in-distress.html

c) a bootable Sea Tools flash drive
https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/

http://www.disk-image.com/faq-bootmenu.htm

4) Run the Sea Tools long generic test > take a picture > post images or share links

5) If the windows drive Sea Tools long generic displays pass you can:

a) perform a reset save files or equivalent (drivers and applications need to be reinstalled)
b) troubleshoot
c) backup important files then clean install 21H1

6) Indicate your preference

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Answer 2

Hi,
Could you boot into Safe Mode to uninstall the update to check?
Then perform a clean boot.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd
Try the steps below:
https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/fix-windows-10-will-not-boot-after-update.html
Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.
Best Regards,
Carl

Answer 3

Please perform a system restore:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Test the drive:

Run HD Tune (free version) (all drives)
https://www.hdtune.com/
Post images into the thread for results on these tabs:
a) Health
b) Benchmark
c) Full error scan

If there are other or recurrent problems log files can be scanned.

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Please remember to vote and to mark the replies as answers if they help.

On the bottom of each post there is:

Propose as answer = answered the question

On the left side of each post: Vote = a helpful post
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Answer 4

Thanks. I tried restoring. I got the message illustrated in the image below.

I will try to run HDTune when and if I can get to the desktop. Currently, I am not able to boot Windows at all. Regards, Saga

Answer 5

Thank yo all, I appreciate your time and assistance with this issue.

Last night I was unable to get the computer to boot at all. I tried using a Win 10 install disk and ran its various troubleshooting options: Restore point, repair, uninstall updates (feature and quality). Unfortunately, I was not able to get the computer functional again.

I finally tried Reset PC. It completed the process, but again, it still would not boot.

I then tried reinstalling Windows 10. When I got to the screen where I can select the partition where to do the install, the installer told me that it could not install Windows on that (200GB) partition.

I then removed the hard drive from the computer and installed on another computer and booted Windows from there, but the drive was not recognized and I was unable to access any files. I plan on using HDTune, as recommend in a previous post, to diagnose the drive.

At this time I believe that the drive is damaged and am in a recovery phase. Unfortunately, I did not make any recovery media, but the posts here that described how to do this will be closely followed when I complete the new install.

I will post updates as I perform tests and recovery activities on the hard drive. Thank you all for your help, it is much appreciated. Saga.

PS: I just realize that I sent the previous message last night with out the referenced image. Sorry about that, it was late :-).