Win 10 Restart issue: computer won't get past "diagnosing issues"

Dell N4110
I wish I could get an error code on it, perhaps you guys can enlighten me.

So I upgraded a couple weeks back to Win10 and it's been running sleeping restarting etc. Just fine. Then at random it shut down and has been stuck while trying to boot. I can get to the "Continue/Troubleshoot/Turn off your PC screen but even when I've tried to "Reset this PC" it just hangs there, even after leaving the machine untouched for a full 24 hours...

Maybe someone can help me get an error code first so I can specify what's up. Also as mentioned I cannot boot past the troubleshoot screen.

BIG TIA folks

I had something like this, when resetting PC back to factory settings from my USB recovery stick wouldn't work, even when everyone seemed to think it should. I had to get myself into StartUp Options area, launch command prompt, blow away all my partitions and then run recovery USB to get it to work.

Hi, I suggest you start by inspecting your hard disk.
If you have a bootable Windows 10 disk (or perhaps USB device), then using that, get to a command prompt and just check if you can see all your partitions/files/folders. In other words, is there a major disk problem or not. That's just a quick superficial look, nothing more.

Here's how to get to a command prompt.
Command Prompt at Boot - Open in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Then try
Dir C:
Dir D:
... for each partition you should have.

If you can at least see those, then run
chkdsk C: /F

Start with that and post back.

dalchina said:

Hi, I suggest you start by inspecting your hard disk.
If you have a bootable Windows 10 disk (or perhaps USB device), then using that, get to a command prompt and just check if you can see all your partitions/files/folders. In other words, is there a major disk problem or not. That's just a quick superficial look, nothing more.

Here's how to get to a command prompt.
Command Prompt at Boot - Open in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Then try
Dir C:
Dir D:
... for each partition you should have.

If you can at least see those, then run
chkdsk C: /F

Start with that and post back.

oh snap... its seeing C:/ as Recovery.... i hope I didn't lose all my info on my HD
sees no files on C: D: has some files on there

Tried restarting after running chkdisk on my D: after noting that nothing had been seen on my C: partition, and it looks like my files (or at least the space I was using on C:) is now on D:

after the next restart it at least gave me an actual error: "power state failure"

hope this helps explain, and thanks again everyone

Hi iamshawno, First, don't worry that the drive letters are different viewed when using an external boot disk like that.

Second, when you ran chkdsk, was the result clear? No errors?

Third, I'm guessing you get a BSOD driver power state failure.. can you confirm?

If/when chkdsk is clear, try booting into safe mode. (You can use your boot disk to get there).
Safe Mode - Start Windows 10 in - Windows 10 Forums

It's possible that you got an update e.g. for your graphics driver, and your PC didn't like it when you restarted. If you can get to safe mode you can check your update history.

Do you use disk imaging? If not, I strongly recommend you start....

Disk Imaging

Windows is very fragile. To recover Windows simply and quickly when something obscure goes wrong, use disk imaging regularly and before any major change or update.

You should use Disk Imaging regularly - this

1. Gives you a complete backup of the disk/partitions imaged from which you can extract files if you wish
2. Lets you recover your PC to the exact same working state as when you created the image in a time limited stress-free manner without technical assistance.

c. Lets you replace your hard drive and restore your PC to the same working state.

(Provided there’s no basic hardware fault of course)

Disk Imaging creates a compressed version of the disk/partition(s) you image. The initial image is larger than subsequent incremental or differential images, which are also faster to create.

You need:
- e.g. Aomei Backupper or Macrium Reflect (both free)
- a boot CD created from those
- an external storage device - I suggest at least twice the size of what you’re backing up.

I'm having the same issue myself, the error code I'm getting is 0xc0000521a. I ran check disk, no problems and tried to restore as well. System restore failed,so I tried to just reset and that failed too.

I don't have a startup disc for my machine, and im working on a mac as my second computer...I have a flash drive, but cannot use windows to make the backup disc. any way I can a) find out which exact version and update of win10 im running...seeing as i cannot even boot to safe mode?

b) perhaps download an image file or file folder and transfer files on my mac here....

I know things would be way easier if I were on another win10 machine but any help is appreciated!

Hi iamshawno, there are many answers to issues readily available in this forum's tutorials and on the net.

To create a Win 10 boot disk please see this:
Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

As asked above, can you confirm your error was
a BSOD driver power state failure.. is that correct?

Once you have the disk, you can try a startup repair.

Timatoberts said:

I'm having the same issue myself, the error code I'm getting is 0xc0000521a. I ran check disk, no problems and tried to restore as well. System restore failed,so I tried to just reset and that failed too.

Hi, it will help if you
a. complete your system specs
b. confirm you have available a Windows 10 boot disk
c. whether yours was a clean install or an upgrade
d. at what point you are getting the error message
e. what led up to the failure.
Thanks!