dalchina, I think it's time I called it.
Finished the restore of the image file, it created five partitions on the SSD anyway. It took an hour, but I got it all back. And I mean all. Boot again ends in the recovery.
I tried the Macrium "fix boot issues" thing again, through the updated version I grabbed off the internet, again to no avail. I assume the options are out - except a fresh install?
Unfortunately you didn't do what was advised.Finished the restore of the image file, it created five partitions on the SSD anyway.
You have restored ALL the partitions, not ONLY the Windows partition.
That's why you have 5 - you're back exactly where you were somehow..
The idea, if you recall, was to clean install, then replace ONLY 1 partition- the Windows partition.
You had 4 after the clean install, and should have 4 now.
You'd need to delete all partitions when clean installing, then restore ONE SINGLE partition namely the Windows partition, as I advised.
There is no guarantee of success - all depends on the Windows partition being intact.
Wait, wait. What did I do wrong? When installing windows, I deleted all partitions on SSD to create the one giant unallocated space partition. Windows finished installation and created 4. So far - so good.
But I don't understand the second part of this sentence - I'm in Macrium right now and looking at the options. After opening the image file I get the list of partitions in the image. It shows five. When I click a partition I get the Actions below. You mean I should click the "restore this partition" on the system one?
Oh well. I'll post results.
You ONLY choose ONE partition to restore.
There's a display given of the partitions in your image, and the drive to which you're restoring. Something like this:
For example, drag only the partition you wish to restore.
Check every dialogue to confirm that choice is correct.
I did it. Restored only the partition where the Windows was from image into existing Windows partition. Goes into automatic repair which fails. Again cannot enter safe mode at least. This time around it generated a txt file report of the automatic restore. Here's the paste:
Note the drive lettering again. Will never cease to confuse me I guess.Code:https://pastebin.com/tcGWduak
Sounds right.. now you can, as I said, try Startup Repair (boot from Win 10 system disk, Repair your computer.....) then try Macrium's Fix Boot utility if that doesn't work.
If still no success, you have to conclude your Windows partition is damaged in some way.
You can then again attempt System Restore (offline via Win 10 advanced startup options) and SFC /SCANNOW offline
How to Run SFC OFFLINE (System File Checker tool) - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos
My best guess is you're heading for recovering what you can and a clean install- but there's an outside chance you might be lucky.
I gave up. Installed a clean one and stuck with it. Downloaded a whole slew of updates, got back to my office tools I needed to survive the Monday and am now restoring all personal files to get back into my comfortable semi-messy PC existence. On an unrelated note, tonight my laptop threw a warning my laptop battery all of a sudden has an issue, and I noticed that the drain has been insane since I installed the clean OS (first system reinstall since it was bought). I am just so tired from HP. I'm done with their products.
Once completed I will create the images for both drives of course. I'll make you proud yet.
dalchina...I am at a loss how to thank you for your patience, ideas, lessons. I could've gone with a clean install on Friday when the system bailed on me, but I wanted to continue trying for the hell of it. This has been incredibly educational for me. I can see from your account that you're not a Guru for nothing - almost constantly online, reliably answering all my posts within minutes, not considering sleep hours. If there is a way to send a beer your way through ko-fi or some such, please let me know. Thank you once more, you certainly show why this community is one of the best out there for technical issues. Best of luck, stay safe, wash your hands.
Thanks. I rather expected there was no chance of success.
Now - to protect yourself in the future, and before something goes wrong, do at least two things:
a. start a regular routine of disk imaging - e.g. base + incrementals to external storage - Macrium Reflect (free) - there are others.
b. Create a regular scheduled system restore point to be created - e.g. daily - (tutorial available). SR is a great tool - when it succeeds and a good complement to disk imaging.
Being at home mostly, retired, I do other things and visit tenforums periodically- which I started out of self defence initially so I'd be informed enough to deal with things myself or know how to get advice if needed. Plus MS's updates create interesting situations from time to time.
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