Frustrating problem.
Downloaded Windows 10 installation media onto a USB. It fits on a 8GB USB but no smaller.
- With the USB plugged in, when computer starts, as soon as you see the manufacturer logo hold F12.
- The initial boot menu was no help didn't see the USB. Went into BIOS to change Boot Sequence to make USB first.
- The information here will match the information from the computer you downloaded the installation media from.
- Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner.
- Click on Troubleshooting, advanced option and then click Startup Repair.
I got "Update was not successful, removing updates"
Repeat 1-4 above
5. Click on command Prompt.
6. Type these following commands and hit enter after each line of command:
Bootrec /fixmbr
Bootrec /fixboot
Bootrec /scanos
Bootrec /rebuildbcd
The /fixboot command told me access denied. Finished up the commands anyway and exited. Continued to Windows 10. "Update was not successful, removing updates"
Repeat 1-4 above
tried a System Restore. Still Reboot Loop, except this time when I attempt another System Restore it tells me I have to select an operating system. There is no option to do that and only one operating system. I am told I can not re-install windows without starting it first. (I can't start it because of the reboot loop).
Went back in to Command Prompt and followed these steps.
Interestingly the only Windows Installation found on the computer is on the E: drive? Oh, that would be the USB with the installation media.
Unfortunately, I realized this after starting a "chkdsk E: /f"
Afterwards I typed: Diskpart
List disk (Note which disk is your Boot drive number mine is 0)
Sel disk 0
List vol Here I looked for a drive with the original OS. There was none.
Ugh. I'm going to reformat the hard drive and start over.