Windows 10: Deployed PCs are stuck in boot loop after loading .WIM file

Hi everyone,

I'm having a persistent issue with deploying Windows 10 Pro onto some Dell Optiplex 3040 PCs we just received. I'm attempting to use Windows Deployment Services through a Server 2012 R2 installation, to which a client can PXE boot to receive the image.

Stupid me--I had the deployment working and recently deleted an image that I thought was outdated. The problem I'm encountering now is that I can successfully sysprep (using sysprep.exe /generalize /shutdown) and can capture the image from the reference machine. However, when I attempt to boot the PC up after capturing the image, it will never fully boot. It will enter what looks like an OOBE screen, will show a spinning circle for about 30-40 seconds, then will briefly show "Restarting", then restart itself. It will loop in this scenario until powered off.

I have done a good bit of reading and experimenting over the past few days, and I can't figure out what's going on. Things I've tried:

• Tried deploying with a known-good/working autounattend.xml file, and then created a new autounattend file, then with no answer file at all (no change)
• Thought that maybe the Creator's Update/1703 was the problem and created fresh install/WIM images of both Windows 10 Pro 1607 and 1703 and tried to deploy those again (no change)
• Tried deploying both to a physical machine and to several VMs I have set up (both physical and virtual machines end up with the boot loop)
• Tried booting the physical machine in Legacy boot mode instead of UEFI (No boot device found when using legacy mode)
• Tried enabling and disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS (no change)
• Tried Sysprepping and capturing an image from a different physical PC (same result)

Whatever I do, it seems like Sysprep breaks the boot process where both the reference machine and the client that receives the deployment are unable to boot properly.

Any ideas? I'll be happy to post any logs, screenshots, etc. that might help diagnose this, as I am out of ideas at this point. Thanks for any help and advice!

:)

 

Loop on desktop after installing Windows 10

After loading Windows 10 my computer finally booted only to get stuck in a loop on the desktop, prior to the appearance of any icons. I cannot breakout of the loop or use the computer.

 

PC STUCK AT BOOT LOOP IN WINDOWS 10 1709

Try this to break the boot loop. You will have to still resolve the error that is causing the loop

2018 02 02- HOW TO FIX: WINDOWS STUCK IN A REBOOT LOOP (WINDOWS 8 AND 10)

https://www.infopackets.com/news/10277/how-fix-...

The process in this article will hopefully stop the boot cycle to allow you to do some trouble shooting or, backup your data before doing a clean install.

[FIX] WINDOWS FAILS TO LOAD IN PC

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2017/05/fix-wi...

Many times we have a PC running smoothly but suddenly something bad happens like Power goes off and the system files fails to load afterward and Windows gets corrupted. When you again try to use the computer either of the two things happens:

1. A continuous loop of Boot Screen of Windows.

2. You get a message that Windows did not start correctly.