BSOD - iaStorA.sys - can't boot at all

[bergerer]

dell xps 8300 - can't boot to save my life. updated drivers, PC needed to reboot. boom blue screen.

0xc0000359

can't boot and don't have a recovery disc/usb

have a recovery partition but can't get to it, if that even matters.

thanks for your insight

 

[Colif]

On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

try this once you have USB
change boot order so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose start up repair - this will scan PC and maybe fix this - will ask for logon info

I assume you upgraded Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers as that is what iaSTorA.sys is. Do you use it for your SSD?

 

[bergerer]

hi, thanks for being the only person across 4 forums to reply to me. thank you so much.

additionally, I have to ask how to change the boot order as I am unable to get into Windows to change that in settings ? or can that be done through bios screen ?

thanks again

 

[bergerer]

I'm sorry I forgot to answer your question.

I used driver reviver to update all drivers, I didn't look too hard into which ones it was updating (huge mistake).

I don't have an SSD, just a regular hard drive 500GB. so I'm not sure why the computer tried to update/add/remove drivers for a device which I don't own.

 

[Colif]

it is likely your driver updater grabbed the wrong drivers, the only place you should get drivers from are the makers of the hardware. I know the driver tools make it easier but they aren't always reliable.

Do you happen to remember if it creates a system restore point before it runs? Driver Booster does and its about its best feature

If you made a win 10 installer as I suggested above, try this
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose system restore - if you lucky there is a restore point for the day you updates drivers.
choose a date and PC will roll back to then and hopefully fix this problem

 

[bergerer]

hi thanks for your reply. I remember the program backing up the old drivers but don't remember if it made a system restore point. just bought a 16gb thumb drive and will try your suggestion later tonight (at work now).

just don't want to lose the contents of the hard drive.

 

[Colif]

additionally, I have to ask how to change the boot order as I am unable to get into Windows to change that in settings ? or can that be done through bios screen ?

thanks again

I can but I need to know what motherboard you have so I can find the instructions

 

[bergerer]

that's a good question. sorry

 

[Colif]

Driver Reviver does not create a system restore point for you, which PerfectUpdater does; nor does it suggest that you do so manually, something Device Doctor advises. This is the only misstep that Driver Reviver makes during the update process, though

http://www.pcworld.com/article/241358/driver_reviver_brings_outdated_device_drivers_up_to_speed.html

well. That sucks.

You can try this to rescue information off drive: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

 

[Colif]

that's a good question. sorry

Silly me didn't remember you have a dell xps 8300

USB Storage Device — Insert the memory device into a USB connector and restart the computer. When F12 Boot Options appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press <F12>. The BIOS detects the device and adds the USB flash option to the boot menu.NOTE:To boot to a USB device, the device must be bootable.

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/553559/Dell-Xps-8300.html?page=109

 

[bergerer]

great thanks so much. for everything.

 

[bergerer]

bad news. followed your instructions. I have no restore points on the computer and system repair couldn't fix it. I didn't have time to try command prompt.

 

[Colif]

You might have to do a reset - use that Ubuntu link I gave you to copy stuff you want to keep off C Drive and then boot off the Win 10 USB again
on screen after languages, choose repair this PC, not install.
on same menu as troubleshoot, there is reset this PC
Choose keep files and settings as this will save anything in library folders (Documents, music, pictures, movies, etc) and your logon details, but wipes everything else
PC will restart and reinstall Win 10
You will need to reinstall all your programs again.

if reset fails and says drive is locked, try step 3 here in command prompt: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

If reset fails, there is only one other option. Fresh Install, but if you backed up everything off your hdd already, its not a big difference between reset and fresh, you just lose your library folders and your logon info
Boot from installer and follow this: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html (it should answer all your questions)