endless loop of Preparing Automatic Repair ... Attempting Repairs ...

Thanks for the excellent review of "Refreshing" Win10. I've read through all of the posts in this thread hoping to find something that related to my own specific problem ... but no joy.

Three days ago my laptop refused to boot up properly, opting instead to go into the endless loop of "Preparing Automatic Repair ... Attempting Repairs ... Diagnosing PC".

I've been on several sites where fixes have been discussed, but none have worked for me. I've tried to use my Repair/Boot Disk that I made via Glary Utilities ... but nothing happens. Likewise, loading a System Restore Point has no effect.

It now looks like I have no choice but to Refresh Windows - which would take me back from v1803 to v1607. I have no great problem there, but have a feeling that after doing that I'm still going to find myself in the "Preparing Automatic Repair ... " loop.

Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.

- - - Updated - - -

Update ... I tried various options offered, including System Restore Point, several more times in desperation - and bingo! The first time SRP had got nowhere, but on the second attempt it informed me that it had failed due to being unable to update a file relating to Onedrive (desktop.ini?).

Aha ... with my abysmally slow Wi-Fi here (cuts off all the time) it gave me hope. So I tried once more, making sure the Wi-Fi connection kept open, and got back into Windows after 3 frustrating days.😊

you could download & create a Win10 install media that contains the 1803 version (April 2018 update) instead of the 1607 version and re-install Win10 from the 1803 install media (instead of doing "refresh" installs). I use the Windows & Office ISO downloader tool to download the 1803 ISO image and make a usb install media from it.

Thanks erpster, I will certainly give that a go as soon as I get back to speed. 😊

My main problem on an ongoing basis is Wi-Fi speed. There's no way I can download 4GB Win updates here in the Philippines ... I only managed to go from 1607 to 1803 using my hotel's Wi-Fi while on holiday!m in England earlier this year!

Always try a repair install first which preserves your programs and files before a refresh / clean install - see Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Also, ensure you have a full system backup to recover from such problems - most people here use Macrium Reflect - see Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

Steve C said:

Always try a repair install first which preserves your programs and files before a refresh / clean install - see Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Also, ensure you have a full system backup to recover from such problems - most people here use Macrium Reflect - see Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

Definitely. ^^ Great advice. I was going to suggest booting into the ERM, but in your situation, I believe that would require a previously created recovery disk in which to boot from.

I'd listen to this guy. Its more or less word for word the steps I've taken to resolve your exact same issue.

Thanks Steve and Trexx,
I tried to use my Repair Disk but after the DVD light flashed a few times I simply got returned to the Preparing Automatic Repair loop.

I have a full system backup, Registry backup, and all my personal files on a Seagate Backup unit. I'm looking forward to checking out Macrium Reflect soon. 😎

Dimps said:

Thanks Steve and Trexx,
I tried to use my Repair Disk but after the DVD light flashed a few times I simply got returned to the Preparing Automatic Repair loop.

You may have went ahead with your system backup, but I just wanted to mention the trouble I've had in the past when attempting to boot from a recovery or repair DVD. It almost seemed as if I had to insert the disk and close the trayas I booted up the system... like... right after I powered it on. Otherwise, it would behave as if it skipped the DVD drive boot sequence altogether! Even if I had it set to the first device to boot from!

Find several flash drives that you can format (> or = 8 GB).
On a working computer create:
a) bootable windows 10 iso
b) bootable Ubuntu/Linux flash drive
c) Sea Tools for DOS flash drive

See if you can hardware boot into the computer's windows advanced troubleshooting menu:

Power on > as soon as you see the Microsoft icon > power off
Immediately power on > as soon as you see the Microsoft icon > power off
Power on the third time and see whether the computer is able to open the windows advanced troubleshooting menu

If you can open the computer's windows advanced troubleshooting menu then select startup settings > safe mode with command prompt > type: chkdsk /r /v > reboot

If you cannot open the windows advanced troubleshooting on the computer then see if you can open the windows advanced troubleshooting menu on a bootable windows 10 iso.

Then select command prompt > type: chkdsk /r /v > reboot as needed > it typically displays ETA

If you cannot open the windows advanced troubleshooting menu on the computer or by using a bootable windows 10 iso then perform either or both:

a) boot using Ubuntu/Linux > test the drive with HD Sentinel for Linux:
Create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu tutorials
Hard Disk Sentinel - Free Linux version

b) Check the drive using Sea Tools for DOS:
SeaTools for DOS tutorial | Seagate Support US




Boot from USB Drive on Windows 10 PC
Enable or Disable Fast Boot in UEFI Firmware Settings for Windows
Boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...ommands/chkdsk
Download Windows 10 ISO File

Thanks for all the hints and tips guys. Having refreshed Windows I've now got a laptop that is reasonably okay and have reinstalled many of the apps.

The system Is, however, still very sluggush and regular visits to Task Manager give me some relief.

One thing I have found is that TM often freezes but as soon as I hit the WIN key it recovers. Same thing with File Manager and a few of my apps. Any ideas why this should be happening?