Restoring Lenovo laptop after power outage during windows update.

Hello all, really hoping you can help me with this. And if I have put this thread in the incorrect forum, please feel free to move it!

Yesterday, I began the process of installing Xbox windows beta on my Laptop (Lenovo G500 Model Name 20236), the update informed me as part of the process, i would have to update to version 1909 (I think from memory) from version 1809 (again, this is from memory).

After the program download the necessary files for the update, I hit the button to update now, the computer restarted, and the process was shown as the computer updated on the laptop (the classic do not turn off your computer). I left the room to let the update run its course.

Unbeknownst to me, my extension multiplug had developed a fault, and it was only several hours later when i went to turn on my xbox and it failed to power on, along with the external HDD that i realised that something was wrong.

The first time I plugged the laptop (which was completely void of any power) into a reliable mains plug, it started up, and notified me it was removing updates (presumably to go back to an earlier version of Windows 10). After a while though, the laptop went 'blank' (backlit, but with a black screen). I left it this way overnight, in case this was a slow ongoing process. but after 12 hours, the result was the same.

I restarted the laptop, and this time, Avast grimefighter started (i have avast internet security), followed by the same blank screen. After 2 hours, I restarted again. Every restart since has drawn the same result. The boot does not reach the windows logo screen.

I have tried the esc/f1/f2/f11/f12 method to reach some kind of restore menu, to no avail. Perhaps it is because my model of laptop has a function key to enable the f functions.

The last time the laptop was working and stable was 10am (UK time) on Saturday the 30th November

I am pretty desperate now, as the last 10 years of my life are on this laptop, including correspondence and photos of two friends who died after battles with serious illness. I will pay any amount for equipment to restore the laptop to working order, and indeed take any advice on how to backup completely to an external device should i be so fortunate to have the opportunity.

Thanking anyone able to assist in advance.

Berton said:

The hardware could be used to either access the drive to ascertain if the data is still usable and can be copied or with the drive in the case continue being used as a portable backup storage drive. I have more than a couple that way.

If the situation with the Notebook requires replacement it usually comes with the Operating System and I wouldn't restore the old drive to it, could cause problems. Copying personal data to a new machine or drive, anything that exists nowhere else or can't be found, would be the next step.

Ah I see. Thank you. Do you have a link on a step-by step on how to do this? Many thanks.

P.S. Would it be possible to boot and system restore through a External USB recovery drive on the existing laptop?

dalchina said:

The more you try to use the existing drive other than to read from it the more risk you run of possibly overwriting recoverable data.

On the other hand, your personal data files may still be perfectly ok.

Your priority is to recover your data- thus stop using that disk until you have a means to do so.

You could possibly take that disk out of your existing laptop, insert a new disk and clean install Win 10. Then try to access your old disk in a caddy, connected as a USB drive.

The key to all data crises is having a good backup.

tenforums members tirelessly recommend using disk imaging as the basis of securing your PC, Windows and your data. If you use disk imaging you can often recover from disasters relatively quickly and without help.

E.g. Macrium Reflect (free/paid) + external storage for image files.

Unfortunately it seems the need for backups might be a lengthy and painful lesson.

It's also recommended to make sure you do have a secure power source when updating Windows- now for all too obvious reasons.

(My Lenovo Thinkpad t440s has both a small internal battery and a huge removable battery- great for avoiding problems at airports).

Oh trust me, I now realise the importance of backing up/power supply. It has only been a day but i've already begun to realise what i might have lost (including an hour long freak out when I realised I need information on the laptop this week). IF i can fix this, the very first thing i will be doing is buying external storage to regularly backup to!

I've always been lucky with updates - Never had an extension plug fail before now. I should point out that the laptop and all batteries and leads are 'mechanically' fine - It still powers on as it always has. It was just the multiplug extension lead that it was plugged into that failed.

The only issue is not loading into windows. I guess my one concern is not being very tech savvy, i was hoping for some less intrusive methods of recovery. I mean, I would need guidance on how to reach the boot menu if an external repair/recovery USB was an option, the thought of taking my hard drive out of my laptop is terrifying.

Is it possible there are any simpler, non mechanical steps i could try first, or is replacement and removal the only way to go?

If it is the only option, can you tell me what disk i'd need to replace it with? The affected model is a Lenovo G500 (Model Name 20236). And also a link on how to do this.


Thank you for bearing with me. I know it must be frustrating to see someone with the exact same problem you've given advice on how to avoid 1000 times before, but i really do appreciate the help. I'd take it to a laptop repair shop if I thought that they would care even 1% for the information on it as much as I do. This whole experience has taught me that i wasn't just risking random data, but memories I may never be able to recover.

dalchina said:

If you don't want to take the disk out you would need to use a live boot disk and boot your laptop from that.

That means you need another PC to create that disk.

E.g. iso: Toolkit Item: Kyhi’s Rescue Disk – Win10.Guru
Then follow instructions on creating a bootable disk from the tutorial to Clean Install Windows 10 here, but use that iso.

Taking the disk out and replacing it would be much simpler.

I see. I am writing these messages on my flatmates HP Envy PC, and he says I can use it to store my files on while I recover my laptop, perhaps i can combine you advice with Berton's. If i remove the hard drive and put it in an external case, backup everything to The HP envy, and then use your link to create the Boot disk, that seems a way to duplicate the data in case the restoration fails.

As you said initially, the priority is to recover my data, and you are providing a massive help with this.

Is there a better way to copy the entirety of a drive across rather than just hitting copy and paste, or any programmes you would recommend? Again, do not worry about overexplaining, this is whole new world territory for me, and I would not want to lose and data due not not asking about something which is second nature to an expert.

For instance, Would I need both the case and adapter, or is it one or the other? I'm not sure my Lenovo G500 carries an SSD, so perhaps a different model would be better. Again, any recommendations welcome.

Berton said:

The equipment needed may only be a new Notebook/Laptop and an External USB drive case to hold the drive in question. If you have another computer you may need only the case or adapter parts. I use this one and works on USB 3 and USB 2, just slower:
Robot Check
There are also adapter kits:
Robot Check

RolandJS said:

Your data is probably safe, a folder and file backup onto external media is, as mentioned before, your top priority. Even more important than reloading OS. You might want to locate a trust-with-your-data person (be prepared to pay some and listen and learn) to help you pick a backup/restore utility, install onto a DVD or USB stick the necessary boot, backup every possible data-containing folder and any/all data files onto affordable reliable external media - I recommend a 1-3TB USB HDD for this and all future OS and data partition backups.

Oh believe me, the first thing I do tomorrow I do will be to order an external USB HDD along with the components needed to house/transfer my Disk drive (from Lenovo G500 Model Name 20236. Any recommendations for the necessary hardware are welcome). It is Cyber Monday after all!

As stated above, if you have any advice on backing up the data from my current Laptop Hard drive to my friends HP envy, rather than just copying and pasting it, please do share. I've heard of the term 'Imaging' but do not know if that would apply here.

And Finally when you say " You might want to locate a trust-with-your-data person", do you mean a computer engineer? I'm sorry if I have misread, but I truly am a relative infant in these matters. I

I'm headed to bed now (midnight in the UK) But I just want to thank everyone who has replied so far. It has been enormously helpful, and I feel far less panicked now than when I wrote my original post!

If you offer advice in the next 9 hours and I don't reply, please don't take it as ingratitude, it is merely due to the timezone difference!