Windows 8.1 automatic repair loop (INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE)

1

Today, my pc with Windows 8.1 installed suddenly started crashing on start up, and then rebooting and showing the 'Automatic repair' screen. I tried solving this in multiple ways already:

  • I tried creating a USB drive with a copy of Windows 8.1 on it on my laptop, and then on my pc select refresh pc - when I insert the USB drive it says the inserted media isn't valid. I don't have the original installation cd

  • I tried using startup repair, it just runs for a minute and then it says the problem can't be fixed using startup repair

  • I tried a system restore, but it gives the error '0x80070057'. Unfortunately, there's only one system restore available
  • I tried using the following commands in the command prompt:

    bootrec /fixMBR     
    bootrec /Fixboot     
    bootrec /rebuildBCD
    

    However, after the last line it says that no installations were found (I made sure to activate the windows partition using DISKPART)

I didn't recently install any suspicious programs, and I've been running Windows 8.1 for over a year now without any problems. Can anyone please help me? I really need to be able to use my pc

Update:
I gives the error INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. I've disconnected all my hard drives except the SSD that Windows is installed on, I made sure it is booted from, I changed the SATA cable, but nothing helped. Also, when I try to enter safe mode from the Automatic Repair screen, the INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error message still shows

windows
windows-8.1
crash
asked on Super User Apr 22, 2016 by Jonan • edited Apr 23, 2016 by Jonan

2 Answers

0

This appears to be a known problem with Windows 8.1 - dubbed the "Automatic Repair Loop" by many. Given that you have managed to make a recovery USB drive, the following has worked for some people:


Step 1: Boot from your USB drive.

Step 2: Select "Advanced repair options"

Step 3: Select "Troubleshoot"

Step 4: Select "Advanced Options"

Step 5: Select "Start up settings"

Step 6: Select "Restart"

Step 7: The computer should restart. Now you want to hit the 4 key, which is safe mode.

Step 8: You should be able to log in now. Restart the computer and the computer should boot normally.


There are some alternatives to try if the above doesn't work:

Step 1: Boot from your USB drive.

Step 2: When the install screen pops up, look to the bottom left and select "Repair Your Computer".

Step 3: You will now see a screen that says "Choose an option". Select "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced Options", and finally "Command Prompt".

Step 4: You should now see the command prompt. Type "bcdedit" (without quotes) and hit enter.

Step 5: A list should have appeared. Towards the top, you should see "resumeobject" (It is under "default"). Highlight the long number, including the brackets, and copy.

Step 6: Now type "bcdedit /set (the long number you copied) recoveryenabled No" (Without quotes). Hit enter.

Step 7: You should now see the message "The operation completed successfully"

Step 8: Type "Exit" (Without quotes)

Step 9: Reboot


If this does not work, I would suggest returning to Command Prompt and following these steps, to check there isn't an issue with your SSD.

Step 1: Type "chkdsk /r C:" (Without quotes) The scan should start.

Step 2: This could take several hours depending on the size of your SSD

Step 3: Once the scan is done, type "exit" (without quotes).

Step 4: Reboot

answered on Super User Apr 23, 2016 by Unencoded
0

Easiest way to get outta this automatic loop is to get into advanced options and choose command prompt. Then type this exactly all on one line .

copy c:\windows\system32\config\RegBack\*   c:\windows\system32\config 

This will throw you back into your login screen with a temp profile. Get yourself into user accounts and make a new account. Make sure you give it admin privileges . Reboot. At windows user screen login with new account. Delete previous user account. Reboot and presto problem all gone.

answered on Super User Mar 23, 2018 by Jordon Bee • edited Mar 23, 2018 by bertieb

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