Unable to boot - "critical process died"

Question

Unable to boot - "critical process died"

Anonymous

Yesterday i had a BSOD with a driver problem. It would get to the desktop and each time give a "exception not handled" BSOD a few seconds after getting to desktop. I was able to boot into safe mode fine though, so uninstalled my graphics drivers. The problem still carried on, so i did a restore point.

It didn't fix it. Now the problem has got worse, and it's instead a "critical process died" BSOD after the motherboard logo on boot, it doesn't even get to the login screen. Safe mode now does not work either. Safe mode causes the same BSOD of critical process died.

I am able to get into the WindowsRE screen. Everything I have tried from there has been unsucessful.

I have tried using the windowsRE screen:

System restore point to an earlier date. It gives error 0x80070002.
The Automatic repair on startup says it couldn't fix it. The log it provides says it can't figure out what's causing the problem, each test there succeeds.
startup repair doesn't fix it
Reset PC option says there were problems reseting and it can't do it.
Sfc /scannow verifies it with the first part, but then stops and says windows resource protection could not perform it.
Chkdsk on the boot drive (x) mentions there are errors in the upper case file
Chhkdsk /f cannot fix because it says the X drive cannot be locked and is write protected (I do have a password set in the useraccount if that makes a difference.?)
DISM commands say cannot run in windows PE
repair tool using boot USB doesn't fix it.

My files are all still there. I have been able to connect the SSD to another PC and access it that way to retrieve files, and scanning the C: drive showed no problems either. So it seems it's problems with the boot section specifically.

I have no idea what to do about this. I've tried everything I can find. I don't want to do a full clean install if possible because I know all my files and such are still there and accessible.

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8 answers

Answer 1

Hi Seven. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

The X drive is the bootable media.

If it cannot unlock the drive to run Disk Check due to Read Only, try this command:

https://www.easeus.com/storage-media-recovery/f...

Then do a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt:

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/running-a-check-dis...

If Disk Check cannot repair bad sectors or run, Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:

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...

If the drive is failing, I'd replace it with an SSD which is the best Upgrade one can have - lightning fast, faster than a new higher-end PC without one - especially if you do the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

If not then Use whichever method works in this link to get into Repair Mode so you can do the necessary repairs or do a Reset: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Easiest is to force shutdown by holding in the power button three times until it starts into Repair Mode. Once in the Repair Mode try the numbered steps below.

It may be necessary to create bootable media on another PC to access Advanced Startup Options to try repairs, a Reset or do the Clean install. The bootable media has it's own set of files so that repairs or Reset might work better, doesn't require a password, and you'll have it to if necessary do the vastly superior Clean Install.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert 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:

Try a System Restore,
If that fails try Uninstall Updates,
Open the Command Prompt to:

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

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

c) Enable the built-in hidden Admin to sign into create a new Admin account to replace yours, as a last resort to save your install and apps, copy your files over:

https://www.isumsoft.com/it/enable-hidden-admin...

http://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-a...

If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.

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.

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 let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

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Answer 2

I was waiting here to continue if you needed guided help. Did you try any of the steps I gave and have results to post back?

These steps save a minimum of $150 at a shop, and are more comprehensive than would be given anywhere else on the internet. A shop would also just reinstall Windows and do half as good of a job as I can show you how to do.

Answer 3

Anonymous

To anyone reading this thread I found a solution that worked for me if you follow this link.

https://superuser.com/questions/861170/is-it-possible-to-enable-system-protection-from-the-command-prompt/961160#961160

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Answer 4

X is normally the bootable media.

See how to run System File Checker offline here:

https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

Use DIskpart command to List Volume to find the letter for Windows partition which can be different in WinRE.

You can also run RebuildBCD commands from this tutorial for everything possible for Troubleshooting Windows 10 Failure to Start: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Answer 5

I'm a bit confused as to what drive I'm actually meant to be using commands on within the WindowsRE screen. Am I meant to be running them on X: or C:? Is X supposed to be in read-only mode? I tried SFC /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows to scan the C: drive, but that says it could not perform it as well.

I may just end up reinstalling windows. although I'd prefer the option that puts stuff in windows.old. If doing that, do i delete the system reserved partition?