Windows 10: Preparing to repair (but NOT the endless loop variety)

Ok so this is my "System 2" computer as listed in my profile. HP Compaq 8200 Elite Microtower Win 10 64 bit OS - ver 21H1 Biostar SSD 512GM (System C Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB (Data D Like all my systems, I have Macrium Reflect set up as a boot option to on board Rescue Media that runs Windows PE Here is what happens 1. On restart when Windows starts up, I get the black screen with Win 10 logo and tail chaser, and underneath it says "Preparing to repair". 2. Screen goes black, then pops up blue with the following options (Repair Menu?) Continue Use a Device Use Another Operating System Troubleshoot Turn off your PC 3. None of the troubleshooting options work, and when I restart, the whole process repeats... 4. BUT if I choose "Use a Device", among the options listed there is the Biostar S120 512GB.SSD... which is the C: system drive. If I choose that, the system proceeds to my Macrium Reflect/WIndows 10 option screen, and if I choose Windows 10, it all boots up just fine and everything seems to be fully functional. 5. I ran the following CHKDSK /R C: SFC /SCANNOW DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image / CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth None of these found any issues, but I thought I would take the obvious next step DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth But it gave no indication of anything being fixed, and restarting shows the same problem "preparig to repair", and I have to boot through the "Repair menu" The only thing I have done recently was about a week ago, I installed the Biostar 512GB SSD. I did that by using Macrium Reflect to back up the previous C: drive (a Seagate Barracuda 7200 500 GB HDD and restore it to the Biostar 512 GB SSD. The system has been operating fine for a week. The fact that it boots up and works fine through the "Repair menu" would seem to indicate that the OS is not broken, so why does it say it needs to repair? Any idea what could be causing this?

:)

 

HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED and Preparing Automatic Repair loop


Hello Les,

Have you checked other threads on these forums to see if there are any suggestions you can try.

Here's one to try: Windows 10 preparing automatic repair loop

 

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.

 

Preparing Automatic Repair/Diagnosing Your PC Loop

Hi,

To resolve your concern with continuously looping your system, we suggest that you follow the Startup Repair steps below:

• Turn off your computer.
• Turn on your computer. As soon as you see the Windows logo with the spinning dots, press and hold down the power button until your computer turns off. Do this process
  twice.
• Turn on your computer for the third time, and let it load.
• It should give you the message: Preparing Automatic Repair.
• On the next screen that would appear, click on Advanced Options.
• Select Troubleshoot.
• Go to Advanced Options.
• Click on Startup Repair.
• Wait for the repair to finish.

We would appreciate it if you could get back to us and provide us your feedback.