RestoreHealth did not work, attempting (and failing) clean install...

Running W10 Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.959).

Previous system restore point did not free me of all issues I was having. I tried to use DISM to restore my image but it would fix errors even with a clean source.

I have now attempted a few times to fully re-install windows and am getting FIRST_BOOT error at BOOT phase. At this point I have all my files backed and am just looking to cleanly install W10. I also tried to boot into a USB loaded with image files as well to no avail.

Once I reinstall windows and load my files I have an extra 1TB drive to put a clean system image on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul Black said:

Hello @DerekW10,



[1] Did you use . . .
/RestoreHealth or . . .
/RestoreHealth /Source or . . .
/RestoreHealth /Source /LimitAccess
[2] What errors could it NOT fix?
[3] Did you run sfc /scannow?
[4] Did you remove/disconnect ALL external HDD's and USB's prior to the clean install?

I hope this helps!

Paul,

I ran the following, in succession:

SFC / scannow (could not fix corruptions)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth (successful)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth (successful)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (unsuccessful)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source /LimitAccess (unsuccessful - pointed to a clean .wim file)

I am unsure of the actual corrupt files but DISM and SFC don't seem to able to fix them. My main issue previously (before a semi-successful system restore) was windows explorer being unresponsive. That included no start menu, search bar, taskbar, task manager, etc.

After the system restore, I have no access to the search function anywhere and no start menu. At this point i'd settle for a clean install but i have failed at FIRST_BOOT/BOOT 2 times now.

All devices disconnected except essential pointing and keyboard hardware.

If you make backups with Macrium , these troubles will be eliminated soon...........

I was able to perform a clean install from a bootable usb Drive. Just need to reinstall office, iTunes and change some settings in the morning.

Then make an image!

Paul Black said:

Hello @DerekW10,


I am glad that you managed to sort it out.

I’m admittedly a Luddite when it comes to computers. I was unaware of the ACTUAL boot menu you need to load the USB from!

Once that rather pedestrian issue was sorted, the install went cleanly. Did a quick update, drive clean and defrag and things are very fast now. I did lose my Office 2013 I no longer had a key for but replaced it with Office 2019 this morning. Once my iTunes library is loaded back up and fixed I’ll image the whole thing and make a fresh restore point.