Please help: Windows can't boot after intel optane update

lous · 17 Feb 2022

Hello
This is what happened: I was working when i noticed in task manager that the optane memory service was using 20% of my processor, i supposed that it was an issue and googled it. I found in intel's site that an update was needed to fix it an downloaded the RST driver whitout checking if it was suitable for my pc (Very stupid decision) and installed it. After the shutdown, windows could'nt boot and started the diagnostics and recovery tools whithout success. I also tried to recover from a restoration point but it is unable to fid one, also used the hp utility for diagnostics an it shows everything is ok. i dont want to format everything because i don't have a backup.
I know my hdd work because i was able to retrive some documents via explorer but found out that my windows drive (windows c:) was swapped to windows D: ¿Could this be the problem? I tried to fix it in cmd but it does not work

it uses Windows 10 19H
HDD: NVMe Intel HBRPEKNX0202AH 476gb
Core I7-9750H

Many thanks in advance

MaloK · 17 Feb 2022

Hi,

If you are able to boot in safe mode, you can roll back the drivers from device manager.

lous · 17 Feb 2022

Thank you. but i'm not able to boot in any safe mode option

MaloK · 17 Feb 2022

Ok,

You can try to inject the known good driver with dism from a booted Windows installation media.

Code:

dism /Image:C:\ /Add-Driver /Driver:D:\Driver /Recurse

This should overwrite the current driver.

Replace both locations for the relevant one.

If you need detail on how to do all that, don't be shy. It is not an easy task.

lous · 17 Feb 2022

MaloK said:

If you need detail on how to do all that, don't be shy. It is not an easy task.

Yes please, i do not wat to mess it up

MaloK · 18 Feb 2022

Hi Lous,

1st - You need a working Windows PC to be able to use as a technician computer.
2nd - Make a USB thumb drive with Windows 10 installation (If possible use the exact same version that you have installed)
3rd - Copy your RST driver on the USB drive (in decompressed state)

4th - Boot the windows installation media.
5th - load the RST Driver and verify that you can access your drive from install media. (Shift+F10)
6th - inject the driver in your windows image with dism.

lous · 19 Feb 2022

MaloK said:

Hi Lous,

1st - You need a working Windows PC to be able to use as a technician computer.

Got the bootable drive, but could'nt find the exact version. For the technician pc, Does Window ADK and PE installed in any coputer will do?

MaloK · 20 Feb 2022

Hi, sorry for the late reply,

Yes, If you have a working Windows PE, it's good, You can use it to fix your installation.

jumanji · 20 Feb 2022

Hi @lous,

I have an Optane enabled Dell PC - my current Desktop. It uses a 16GB Optane memory (discreet) coupled to a 1TB Toshiba HDD (discrete). .You have a 32GB Optane memory coupled to a 500GB SSD both integrated in a single module. Please tell me which one of the following 3 Optane Software was being used in your HP Laptop.
1. Intel Optane Memory & Storage Management Application ( My PC uses this and updates is through Windows Store)
2. Intel Optane Memory Application
3.Intel Rapid Storage Technology ( Intel RST) Application.

Sometime in 2019 or thereabout 2 & 3 reached end of life and Intel recommended that users shift to 1. There is a definite procedure to do it . The main thing is you must disable Intel Optane acceleration in the Optane software prior to installing the driver/software combination 1.

The following refer

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology and Intel(R) Optane™ Memory...

Solved: Intel Optane memory service is using a lot of CPU - Intel Communities

Did you install this driver from Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Driver Installation Software with Intel(R) Optane™ Memory (10th and 11th Gen Platforms) without disabling Optane memory in the Optane software 2 or 3?

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Driver Installation Software with Intel(R) Optane™ Memory (10th and 11th Gen Platforms)

Please help: Windows can't boot after intel optane update-20-02-2022-22-30-01.jpg

If your answer is yes, I would say that you have mucked up your system lock, stock and barrel.

Please note that what all I have said above is applicable only and if only your system was using 2 or 3 of the above mentioned software and you installed the driver shown above without disabling Optane in that software.

I have only said what I know having read about Optane since I have an Optane. In this Optane Software , the RST drivers gets updated with Windows Store. My PC is of 2020 origin and came with the software 1.

I shall now leave it to MaloK. He has hands-on experience. Me? Read only experience

In case Malok is unable to untangle it, I would advise that you contact HP Support. They may advise you to disable Optane within the BIOS. Anyone who has not handled it in your System Bios with Optane may find it difficult.

If the Optane memory fails or the coupled HDD/SSD fails the system will not boot. I have the DELL Service Manual for my System which elabortes a detailed procedure how to disable Optane in the BIOS and carryout the repair. I dare not do it myself. I will only call DELL to do it. If they fumble ,tumble and make a further mess, they will only be responsible and make it good in whatever way they have to

.

MaloK · 20 Feb 2022

@jumanji,

Thanks for the in-depth explanation, This will help many to understand, why it happened...

At first I always try to not modify any Bios setting. Once booted in windows install disk if you can load your driver and access your storage...

You can bring back the original driver on line. With the same method used when you have a corrupt boot time driver. Or at this point it could also be possible to use system restore to get a previous snapshot.