PC not working after windows update

civil12345

I’ve got a fairly old PC running Windows 10. The last windows update didn’t install properly. After restarting it got to 81% and just stopped. I left it for hours. I had to turn the PC off.

Now the PC won’t boot. It tries to boot Windows then says ‘Restoring your previous version of Windows...’ spins for a few minutes then restarts and does the same thing again.

What can I do? I’ve googled how to get it into safe mode but nothing seems to work. I don’t have a flash drive to create a recovery disk or anything like that.

Yes I know I should be prepared for this but I’m not. My files aren’t even backed up and I could end up losing some very important stuff. I’ve got access to a working laptop but not sure how that’s going to help.

Any help on this would be great. It’s drivinn me quite mad.

wongataa

Buy a hard disk caddy. Take the disk out of the computer and put it in the caddy. COnnect the caddy to your working laptop. Copy all the files you want to keep onto the laptop. Put the disk back into the computer. With you laptop create a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD. Use that to reinstall Windows from scratch on the computer.

civil12345

Hi, thanks for the reply. The first part of that might be beyond my technical ability...never opened the case! If I just try to do the second part will I lose my files? What do I need to buy a big enough flash drive?

I hate computers!

toshi

I was forced to fix the same problems of 2 computers for windows 10 1709 upgrade failure, I feel terribly sorry about the situation.

Download Macrium Reflect free and install it to another computer.
https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Start Macrium Reflect, Other Tasks – Create Rescue Media -(change the PE version if not Windows 10 rescue Media) create an USB bootable disk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHHhU-_0YiA

Then booting from the USB (Macrium Reflect Rescue Disk) , Select Fix Windows Boot Problem
http://reflect.macrium.com/help/v5/Rescue_CDs/Fix_Boot_Problems.htm

You should be able to run the previous Windows10.

Some consideration: SSD upgrade
Microsoft will continue to force your computer to upgrade Windows 10 1709 version. (So the same problem will happen again, frankly your computer is not fully capable to run Windows 10 upgrade as Microsoft intends.)

In order to keep using Windows 10 with future upgrade without problems, you would need to replace your slow hard disk with an SSD. (I actually proved it this, With an SSD, Windows 10 upgrade failure will recover the previous Windows 10 in 15 min; With a Hard disk, I have found the exact problems with you.

How to upgrade Windows 10 ver 1709. (I have done this work after replacing with an SSD)

Full download windows 10 1709 image, then exacted all files
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Clean boot Windows 10 to run setup.exe from Windows 10 extracted files.
https://windowsinstructed.com/clean-boot-windows-windows/

Alternatively, as wongataa suggests, download the windows 10 ver 1079 image, and perform clean installation.

I myself use Windows 7 and will use until 1.2020. You might have the similar problem during a major Windows 10 upgrade in the future. If you need to use Windows 10 with this “old computer”, I strongly recommend an SSD. Or more radically do you really need Windows 10 with this computer? If not, you might be interested in Linux.
https://linuxmint.com/

I have no intention to play with OS sectarian wars. I feel strongly that Windows 10 rolling upgrade model doesn't work well with some (older) devices, as I don’t see the same level of problems with Windows 7 update….

Happy Computing

p.s. I have just find a reply from civil12345. (your reply) wongataa suggestion would be more suitable. but I will post my suggestion as I assume quite a few people would have the same Windows10 upgrade issue.

wongataa

civil12345 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. The first part of that might be beyond my technical ability...never opened the case!

If you can use a screwdriver it is not beyond your technical ability.

AndyPix

If you mash the F11 key as soon as you power it up , can you get into recovery mode ?

sennypijama

Do you have a wireless mouse or keyboard?

civil12345

Hi all

Thanks so much for the responses. F11 doesn't work. No wireless mouse or keyboard (why?).

I went with toshi's suggestion using Macrium. I bought a flash drive and have put the rescue media on it.

BUT! Now when I press the power button on the PC it doesn't come on at all. It just makes a really horrible squealing noise. What does that mean?

Thanks

AndyPix

Wireless keyboard was mentioned as drivers for these can be problematic


Your new problem doesn't sound good.
Do any power lights come on atall ?
Do you get a single "beep" as the machine comes on ?


Does the noise sound mechanical ? (Like the bearings on a fan grinding or squeeling ?)

toshi

AndyPix wrote: »

Wireless keyboard was mentioned as drivers for these can be problematic

Your new problem doesn't sound good.
Do any power lights come on atall ?
Do you get a single "beep" as the machine comes on ?

Does the noise sound mechanical ? (Like the bearings on a fan grinding or squeeling ?)

Yeah, it would be hardware related issues. Are there any important data ? Did you make a backup ? If you didn't, you should suspend repair work until data backup is completed.

I am pretty sure MSE experts, AndyPix et al will assist you further.

Happy computing...

civil12345

Hi, the power light comes on. It's a single continuous beep that's quite loud and high-pitched. Doesn't sound mechanical at all. Nothing on the screen.

Yes important data and no back up. Yes I know I'm stupid! Won't be happening again with the new machine. I won't die if I don't get the files back but it would be a major inconvenience and take a long time to sort everything out.