2 Windows 10 installations on 2 drives - 1 broken after restart, can't

Nom4d · 23 Jan 2022

Hi,

I need to repair my Windows installation on a t570, can't boot it after installing AV, VPN and cleaning the registry all at once. Windows boot manager finds it but I can't repair it, tried:

- fixing the boot record etc. via CMD but I get various errors
- Automatic repair does nothing
- Tried system restore, didn't work
https://i.stack.imgur.com/agvyj.png
- Don't want to refresh/reinstall since I have many settings and databases saved, need to recover this one

I have access to all the partitions and files using a fresh WIN10 install on another (physical) drive. As I boot the faulty installation, I get this:
https://i.stack.imgur.com/2kW0b.jpg

[1]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/agvyj.png
[2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/2kW0b.jpg

steve108 · 23 Jan 2022

Nom4d hello and welcome to tenforums

KB5010793 Windows 10 19042.1469, 19043.1469, 19044.1469 this KB fixed a problem caused by the January CU for people using VPN. You might want to install it after downloading the MSU to a thumb drive using another PC - if you get the PC bootable.

Make frequent backups : Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect - takes minutes to recover from fiascos like this.

Nom4d · 23 Jan 2022

Thanks, Steve.

Do you think an upgrade install from an USB would be able to resolve this?

steve108 · 23 Jan 2022

Nom4d said:

Thanks, Steve.

Do you think an upgrade install from an USB would be able to resolve this?

You can't do an upgrade install unless you can boot into Windows, so if you can boot into Windows - it's worth a shot.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Nom4d · 23 Jan 2022

Well, I can't - that's the original issue.

Any ideas how to resolve this?

steve108 said:

You can't do an upgrade install unless you can boot into Windows, so if you can boot into Windows - it's worth a shot.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

steve108 · 23 Jan 2022

Other than Clean Install Windows 10 - I don't see a way out.

Have you tried booting from Windows 10 Install USB and trying the repair option?

Nom4d · 23 Jan 2022

Sure, doesn't work.

I'd like to understand the root of the problem - after installing bitdefender and VPN, the system just wouldn't boot anymore and go into the Automatic repair loop...

Is there a way to do a clean install and then use / transfer the old Windows files with the new installation?

steve108 · 23 Jan 2022

The best I know to do is save off your documents, pictures, music, data files, etc - then do you clean install and you'll have to reinstall all your apps and restore you backup files, etc.

You could make a MR backup image which will contains everything on your C: drive, then you can pick files out of it after you do a clean install - but that's much less than what you're asking - so I'm not aware of a way to entirely do what you want.

Root cause - nobody can tell you in any practical manner.

Best thing is always make a full backup before doing major surgery like you did because there are just too many factors and things that can go wrong.