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#1
Stuck in infinite boot loop after attempting to move users folder
Machine:
Alienware M17x R5 Laptop
OS:
Windows 10 Pro (upgraded from Windows 7 Pro)
What caused the problem:
1. I wanted to change the locations of the users directory from C:\ (SSD partition that contains the OS) to W:\ (HDD)
2. I followed the following guide in the video:
Windows 10 - Relocate the Users folder Part 2 - YouTube
3. As the computer was one that was previously upgraded from Windows 7, I followed the instruction regarding changing the registry key as well, in this related forum thread:
Users Folder - Move Location in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
The problem:
1. Following the guide took me to 7:35 part in the video (Restarting...)
2. However, instead of taking me to the screen at 7:41, the machine was stuck for a long time (like 5 min), which forced me to reboot
3. Machine is never able to enter windows, but is stuck in infinite boot loop
(reboots after being stuck on windows logo screen on few seconds)
I was never able to enter windows, so I was forced to use command prompt to look through the computer. It appears that that for very strange reason, the HDD (intended destination of the Users folder, originally W:\) was reassigned to be C:\, while the SSD partition with the OS (originally C:\) was reassigned to F:\ ??? Therefore maybe the root of the problem is the machine might be trying to boot windows from the new C:\ (which contains nothing but the Users folder), while ignoring the new F:\ (the old C:\ that contains the OS)...
Later, I realized that there may have been 2 errors in the relocate.xml file, which was the following:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
<settings pass="oobeSystem">
<component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<FolderLocations>
<ProfilesDirectory>W:\Users</ProfilesDirectory>
</FolderLocations>
</component>
</settings>
<cpifflineImage cpi:source="wim:E:\sources\install.esd#Windows 10 Pro" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>
First, since the install file in my usb was .esd instead of .wim, I think cpi:source="wim: should have been changed to cpi:source="esd:
Second, since the original operating system installation was Korean language, language="neutral" should have been language="korean" maybe?
In any case, the machine is stuck in infinite boot loop and I'm unable to access windows. I'm unable to enter OOBE nor boot into audiot mode. I'm only able to boot it using the USB which takes me to windows installation mode.
Is there any way to undo the sysprep that I did following the guide, and restore the system without having to reinstall windows? It would be best if that can be avoided, since it would destroy all of my personal data, programs, drivers, etc.
Last edited by kcheeb; 11 Sep 2016 at 03:17.