Windows 10: Can't boot Windows 10 Looking for help re-installing from bootable USB and save files

Hello folks,


My laptop did a major Win 10 feature update in early January plus some security updates, etc. all was fine after the update and I used my laptop for a day without issue. When I woke up the next day my laptop seemed frozen with a black screen and I had to power down.


When it restarted it went into a "diagnosing pc and trying to repair loop". This went on for about 12 hours where it continually rebooted and tried to repair. I thought it had gone into a loop but it finally did break out into a Windows recovery with all the options to go back to a restore point, uninstall updates, reinstall from recovery partition, etc. None of these worked. I have had to do restores before but it was always successful through one of these methods.


Another thing to note is that I tried to do the command prompt hoping to at least make a backup of my files and this worked fine but it brings up a prompt showing x:\ drive and when I try to switch to c:\ it tells me "insufficient resources" or something like that. I know this can often mean low disk space but I know had 200gb free. I also had a d:\recovery drive that I used to see through windows explorer and I was able to switch to this I see a recovery directory but no files in it. I'm positive I remember seeing files in it before. The laptop is used so I don't know how it was originally configured. I'm more making the point that I know there were files in there before but I'm not seeing them through this command prompt. What's also weird is that when I switch back to x:\ and do a "dir" on it I see directories like program files, users, etc. but again I don't see any files when I look at it. There is a x:\sources directory which I have never seen before but I can see a recovery.exe file in it. I have never used this command prompt before so have no idea what I should be seeing. Maybe somehow my hard drive is pooched.


Anyway, I downloaded the windows media creation tool from another Win 10 laptop and made a bootable usb. This has launched fine. I'm at the screen that has the "Install now" button but haven't proceeded yet. I have never had to restore using this method and I have searched and searched to try to find instructions on what to do to try and save my files but I can't find anything. Most of the videos/instructions are about repairing a functioning Win 10 system. I did find one video from 3 years ago with the title "reinstalling windows while keeping your files" and the guy showed this exact process but I didn't see where there was the option to either install clean or install and save files. He showed choosing your partition so what I don't know is whether he installed to a different partition which means it left the original windows installation in place or whether he reinstalled into the original location but personal files are automatically saved. I don't know if I have extra partitions.


Does someone know of a detailed video or set of instructions or can comment here what I have to do after I hit the "Install now" button? Or are my files lost through this process?


Thanks in advance for any help provided.

:)

 

Multi-bootable USB

Hey guys from TPU, couldn't find any specific thread pertaining to the question asked on title. As mentioned, I'm trying to create a bootable USB, but with many specifics boots available.

I've been trying to create one with multiple boot device including one that enables me to run Windows 10 directly on the USB Thumb Drive but to no avail.

The list of bootable images i'm trying to create are

1. Windows 10 (A full OS running from thumb drive)
2. Windows 10 ISO (Bootable disk image for fresh install)
3. MemTest86+

Have tried YUMI or UUI from the website USB PenDrive Linux but as this is my first time, i don't know how am i screwing up or am doing it right.. Anyone got a rough idea on a step by step guide? Thanks!

 

Windows 10 USB boot

Hi there, am not a windows 10 expert. I have a pc in the bedroom on windows 10, I messed up the bootloader trying to fix the xp on that system.

System wont boot, trying to repair via win 10 usb installer.

Downloaded the media creation tool to install windows 10 installer on usb stick. Not compatible with a host of usb sticks I have. Tried the usb sticks that others use, but I think they use rufus; as the media creation tool by win 10 does not detect the usb stick.

So quick question, the win10 machine i am trying to repair the bootloader is a win7 upgraded to win10.
If i were to use the usb win10 installer to "repair installation" does the version of the iso downloaded via the media creation tool matter?

There is three options:
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 N

Also is there a step by step instead of using rufus as I want to try an alternative method of creating a usb win 10 installer. Preferably with more compatibility.

System is a asus sabertooth 990 (r2?) with AMD phenom X 6.

Also is there any other software I can load onto the usb that can repair the bootloader easily?
That would be the ideal alternative. Thanks

 

HELP PLEASE!!!! Trouble installing windows from USB on ASUS P9X79

You have to select the option in the bios to boot from the USB drive. Did you take the steps to make the USB drive bootable?