System won't boot. Oscillates between two screens.

theweav · 03 Feb 2019

My card reader wasn't working so I went to the Dell site and installed a driver. The card reader still didn't work so I rebooted my Dell 660 PC, or tried to. It boots to a Windows splash screen, the goes to a Dell splash screen, then continues to go back and forth between the two screens. I did a system restore from an external drive, thinking maybe the boot was corrupted. No luck there. I'm at a total loss. I am using Window 10 Home. Boot mode is set to: UEFI with Legacy Prom. Thanks.
Ron

dalchina · 04 Feb 2019

Hi, would be worth checking your disk which you can do using a bootable 'live' disk, which you can build using Kyhi's iso, available from the top of the Software and Apps section here.

Boot your PC from that, and run HD Tune, Health and Error Scan tabs.

I did a system restore from an external drive,

Could I check
- do you mean you used a System Restore point by booting from Win 10 install medium?
- or did you perhaps restore from disk image?
- or something else?

Do you use disk imaging routinely e.g. Macrium reflect (free) as is so often recommended here? If so you could restore your system from a disk image - if the disk is ok and not already tried (see above).

As you can't log in, you can't access Safe Mode or do an in-place upgrade repair install, alas.

If your disk check is good, you could then boot from Kyhi's disk, run Macrium reflect and try using its Fixboot utility.
v5: How to fix Windows boot problems (Restore, Windows PE)

(note- article is for older version)

zbook · 04 Feb 2019

Dell also has diagnostic firmware/software.
In addition to the tests that dalchina commented on these can also be performed:
Dell 660: preboot diagnostics
Support for Inspiron 660 | Diagnostics | Dell US

SupportAssist Preboot | Dell US

Computer will not boot to Windows 10 | Dell US

Steve C · 04 Feb 2019

Try setting the BIOS defaults or perhaps removing the CMOS battery for a minute may reset something?

theweav · 04 Feb 2019

I reset the bios last night and set the time. I then ran the thorough Dell diagnostics. Everything checked out ok. The PC still doesn't boot. Any other suggestions are appreciated. I will try what dalchina has suggested later. Thanks everyone for your response.

theweav · 04 Feb 2019

dalchina, I tried to do a system restore from a disk image. I use Aomei Backupper Pro and do backups daily.

zbook · 04 Feb 2019

The option that dalchina posted with Kyhi boot rescue will also give you the option to make a backup image or backup important files.

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

Once you have important files backed up you can clean install then restore files.
The Macrium boot repair can be used too.
With an Aoemi backup you may be able to copy the regback files.

An additional option is a reset save files equivalent.

dalchina · 04 Feb 2019

Great you use disk imaging,

Please follow the ideas I suggested in order.
First create a bootable disk from Kyhi's iso.
Then check your disk.

What's the result?

If ok, then use Macrium Reflect's Fixboot utility.
Note: in case you are confused, that utility has nothing to do with disk imaging.

What's the result?

theweav · 04 Feb 2019

Dalchina, now I will show my ignorance. I would be creating this PE boot disk from another PC. Instructions speak of adding drivers, etc. I'm a little, (a lot) confused. Obviously, this is a new area for me. In the end, would i be able to boot up and restore my PC to my Women disk image?

dalchina · 04 Feb 2019

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums
Post #1 here. You can see the list of utilities available and a picture of the desktop when booted to it.

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to create a bootable disk from the iso, boot you PC from it, and run HD Tune as above. I can almost guarantee this post will not self-destruct.