Windows won't update and PC restarts every time I try to format it

bayhalt · 27 Aug 2021

Hey.

So, every time I try to reset my PC and reinstall windows the initial stage finishes--i.e. "preparing to reset"-- but then it just restarts normally instead of finishing the process. Is there any way

I'm trying to do this because for some reason I am unable to update Windows no matter what I do, every time getting the error code (0x800700de). I've googled the code and attempted some fixes but nothing has worked.

Some additional details follow. My PC tends to restart itself after about 15 minutes of being idle (I've checked power settings). Whenever it restarts, some apps seem to forget data and are reverted to a couple of days ago (eg. my Google Chrome search history). And a few weeks ago my Windows expired; I was only able to reactivate it a few days ago as I didn't have broadband set up, though I continued to use it offline and occasionally connected to a hotspot. While Windows was expired it changed from personal to a business network; I don't know why this is, and every time I try to change it back under Network ID setting it remains a business network after restarting.

Windows version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.1110)

I hope this makes sense. In short, I need help formatting my PC; I want to wipe it completely to hopefully fix the above issues.

dalchina · 27 Aug 2021

Hi, you need to separate possible hardware from software problems.

Given what you have said, it is impossible to discount the possibility this is hardware related rather than disk failure or corruption, or a software bug of some sort.

My PC tends to restart itself after about 15 minutes of being idle

You need to perform a number of basic checks.

a. Create a live boot disk so you can boot your PC from that, independently of the internal disk.
(Google e.g. Bob Omb's, Kyhi's, Hiren's or just 'live boot disk' - download the iso file and create a bootable flash drive (e.g. using tutorial instructions in tutorial to create bootable Win 10 disk - see Tutorial section here in tenforums).

Using the programs available from that and others - run RAM tests (tutorials available) and disk checks e.g. Crystal Diskinfo, Hard Disk Sentinel...excellent.

Another elementary check you might try is to clean install Win 10 on a spare disk in place of your system disk, and see if your hardware is stable.

If so in either case, you can then run further hardware stress tests.
(Google)

If
a. your present system disk tests ok
and
b. you are not over-clocking
and
c. all your RAM is consistent and checks out
and
d. your hardware appears stable

then you can turn to thinking about what you might rescue from your existing system disk.

History: (almost never given by posters):
a. When did this start?
b. What happened before that? Was there any particular change or event?
(Cat walked on keyboard, lightning strike, power outage, installation/update...)

And a few weeks ago my Windows expired;

- do you mean it became unactivated?
Please post a screenshot like this:

Windows won't update and PC restarts every time I try to format it-1.jpg

Download and run showkeyplus (Google, free, by member Superfly) and post a screenshot, carefully removing personal license details but showing essential info and post a screenshot.

Thanks.