Automatic repair loop, no safe mode, no system restore

What is restored is what you choose to restore. In this case the only thing of interest is the whole of the partition C: The rest of the disk structure, if you do the clean install correctly, will be recreated.

Make sure you do a disk test first as I said.
When you image C: I suggest you choose 'verify' (a tick box).
Note that in creating an image, you're also effectively verifying the file structure (CRC checks).

Then during the clean install, delete the partitions related to C: and if there's nothing else there, format the disk.
(If you have created other data partitions, keep them).

When you've completed hte clean install, verify the PC boots correctly before restoring C:

Ok, anyway, you now know a method that can be useful in some circumstances.

And you've discovered that using disk imaging can really save time and effort- had you had a usable current disk image. So one you have it up and running again, create your first base image before configuring anything much.

If you use a 3rd party tool (and I have) - Laplink or Easeus- you can clean install Windows, install the tool, mount your image and transfer all programs and settings to your new installation. However that's a one-off license fee... unless, as I did, you get a giveaway version...

You can still try to research that error, of course.. it's strange your C: seems ok, but still won't boot. And you've done a System Restore..

Don't forget o
a. do a disk test
b. start using disk imaging routinely to save yourself time and trouble in the future.