NTFS file system error while booting, unable to upgrade from USB

Hi,

I've been having issues with an NTFS file system error for the past few days. The error has occurred continuously during the start-up.

-Automatic repair is unable to repair the pc.
-Resetting the PC just takes me back to the Troubleshoot menu with no apparent changes.
-Choosing to go back to a previous version gives me the error message that "we ran into a problem and won't be able to take you back to a previous version of windows.
-Choosing Startup Repair gets the same issue as Automatic Repair.
-I've gone into Command Prompt and run chkdsk, likewise sfc scannow.
-Attempting to Boot into Safe Mode just results in another NTFS file system error.
-And unsurprisingly, I did not make a restore point before all this happened, which I know was quite stupid.

I finally came upon the solution of booting up from a USB with a fresh copy of Windows 10, following the instructions here.

I went in, changed the boot priority to the USB, and finally made it to the installation stage without receiving another error message.

However, when I selected "upgrade" to retain the files currently on the computer, I received the following message:

"The upgrade option isn't available if you start your computer using Windows installation media.

If a copy of Windows is already installed on this computer and you want to upgrade, remove the installation media and restart your computer. After Windows has started normally, insert the installation media and run Windows setup."

Any suggestions on what can be done at this point? I'm running Windows 10 on a Lenovo Thinkpad.

What are the status of the files on the computer?
a) had files been backed up to another drive or to the cloud?
b) had a backup image been made and saved to another drive or to the cloud?
c) if you needed to perform a reset and remove files or equivalent (delete files, reinstall drivers and applications) would that be a viable fix?
d) if you needed to perform a reset and save files or equivalent (reinstall drivers and applications) would that be a viable fix?


When the computer is powered on what do you see and hear?



Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums | Tutorials
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

zbook said:

What are the status of the files on the computer?
a) had files been backed up to another drive or to the cloud?
b) had a backup image been made and saved to another drive or to the cloud?
c) if you needed to perform a reset and remove files or equivalent (delete files, reinstall drivers and applications) would that be a viable fix?
d) if you needed to perform a reset and save files or equivalent (reinstall drivers and applications) would that be a viable fix?

The status is D. I need to get the files back (well, not need, but certainly like.) I've attempted to select "Reset" and keep files (under the Troubleshoot menu), but nothing happens--I am sent straight back to the menu.

zbook said:

When the computer is powered on what do you see and hear?

When the computer is powered on, it attempts to boot, then almost immediately goes to the NTFS BSOD error.

And thank you, I'll get on updating the specs.

Thank you, Ken, I'm trying these now.

Caledon Ken said:

Hi JohnRuby1. Welcome to the Tenforums @JohnRuby1

You are correct you can't upgrade / inplace repair install when you boot. Windows has to be running to do the inplace repair and if your media is newer than the version installed it does the upgrade. Basically boot, navigate to setup on media and double click.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

This is not an option at the moment, as I can't get the computer past booting up.

Caledon Ken said:

Rather than restore points I recommend you look at a tool like Macrium Reflect. If you have a file system error a restore point likely won't fix it. An image backup lets you restore data, or your entire system from a good copy. The software is free and widely used here on TenForums

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

This is wonderful, thank you. Once (if) I get this up and running again, I'll set Macrium up.

Caledon Ken said:

You said you ran chkdsk, what switches did you use to repair or fix damage? What errors did it find.

I ran chkdsk c: /f /r /x. The report "scanned the file system and found no problems." 4kb in bad sectors.
Finally, it "failed to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50."

Caledon Ken said:

Did you run a prouduct like Crystal Disk Info to see if drive is reporting failures. At some point I would, no point rebuilding system on flaky disk.

https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/

Is this possible, considering I can't get past the boot or troubleshooting menus?

Caledon Ken said:

You might try building a recovery disk and booting from it. Hopefully you can then see your personal data and copy it off. I am skeptical if you have a file system error but worth a shot.

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk

Seems my best bet, at this point. Still trying to figure out how exactly I do that, but this could, potentially, be promising. If not, I suppose it's time to take it in.

1) Find two flash drives that you can format (> or = 8 GB)
(The size of the drives are needed for the software and possibly to be able to save and move files)

2) These are some options:

3) Use Kyhi boot rescue > test drive > backup all files using copy and paste to another drive and Macrium
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

4) Create a bootable Windows 10 iso for advanced troubleshooting:
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 | Tutorials
Download Windows 10 ISO File | Tutorials
Download Windows 10

5) perform a custom install
Custom Install Windows 10 | Tutorials

6) troubleshoot the boot failure using a Macrium boot repair
v5: How to fix Windows boot problems (Restore, Windows PE)


7) troubleshoot the boot failure using either the computer's or the windows 10 iso advanced troubleshooting menu

System Restore Windows 10 | Tutorials
Run Startup Repair in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Reset Windows 10 | Tutorials
Enable or Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Use DISM to Repair Windows 10 Image | Tutorials
Run SFC Command in Windows 10 | Tutorials

8) At this time use:

a) Kyhi boot rescue to:

backup all files to another drive or the cloud

check the drive with HD Tune
Post images into the thread for results on these tabs:
Health
Benchmark
Full error scan

b) Use the bootable windows 10 iso to run:
bcdedit | find "osdevice"
chkdsk /r /v W:
(change the drive letter W: to the partition drive letter displayed in the prior command)

Thank you again. Had to step away for a few days, but this morning I finally got down to creating Kyrhi's recovery disk with Rufus. And it worked! I'm currently running off the USB. As far as recovering the data goes--how can it be accessed while running off the recovery disk? I've been looking but am not quite sure where to look.

I accidentally posted another message here, and can't delete it now, so just ignore this (this, not the previous post).