Question Caught in an infinite loop trying to reset my computer

[Nde007]

My windows 10 pc had corrupt files and required that I reset. I did a recovery reset, keeping my personal files. Everything went add described until a window appeared asking me to pick an OS(this was after it had done the full reset and load). I was suddenly offered the option of "Windows recovery environment", " Windows 10 on volume 2", or "Windows 10 on volume 2". The first seven times I opted for "windows recovery environment", as that was the default, after which it reloaded for a while and then offered me the option of " exit and continue to Windows recovery environment", or "choose another operating system". I chose the former multiple times, after which it simply went through the same process... Again and again and again... Finally I got fed up on cycle number 7 of the same thing and I selected "windows 10 on volume 2". The loop continued, but eventually brought me to the OS selection screen, where now sat 3 (instead of the previous 2) versions of the "windows 10 on volume 2" option. So I selected shut down pc, restated the computer, came back to the list of options, and now, in addition to the "windows recovery environment " option, there are 3 separate, though indistinct, options for "windows 10 on volume 2". So as to avoid creating a fourth instance, I have been exclusively selecting "windows recovery environment", and am presently on my 5th loop through that, with no apparent end in sight! What am I doing wrong, and how do I progress in to the new reinstall of windows 10, with personal files intact?

 

[Lutfij]

Did you use a bootable USB installer created of of Windows Media Creation Tools to proceed with your reset? You shouldn't be seeing that many Windows 10 instances. You should follow through the last steps in this tutorial.

 

[white.a.drew]

My windows 10 pc had corrupt files and required that I reset. I did a recovery reset, keeping my personal files. Everything went add described until a window appeared asking me to pick an OS(this was after it had done the full reset and load). I was suddenly offered the option of "Windows recovery environment", " Windows 10 on volume 2", or "Windows 10 on volume 2". The first seven times I opted for "windows recovery environment", as that was the default, after which it reloaded for a while and then offered me the option of " exit and continue to Windows recovery environment", or "choose another operating system". I chose the former multiple times, after which it simply went through the same process... Again and again and again... Finally I got fed up on cycle number 7 of the same thing and I selected "windows 10 on volume 2". The loop continued, but eventually brought me to the OS selection screen, where now sat 3 (instead of the previous 2) versions of the "windows 10 on volume 2" option. So I selected shut down pc, restated the computer, came back to the list of options, and now, in addition to the "windows recovery environment " option, there are 3 separate, though indistinct, options for "windows 10 on volume 2". So as to avoid creating a fourth instance, I have been exclusively selecting "windows recovery environment", and am presently on my 5th loop through that, with no apparent end in sight! What am I doing wrong, and how do I progress in to the new reinstall of windows 10, with personal files intact?

The drive is fully corrupted and lost it's way per say. All you need to do is use another pc, whether it be another you have or a friends thats willing to let you use there pc for ruffly 2 1/2hrs. Download windows 10 media creation tool, Launch and create bootable usb. After done put into your pc boot via usb, and reinstall when it ask for product key. Please select i dont have one it should give you a list of all windows 10 copys select the copy that IS CURRENTLY INSTALLED and activated on this pc. In doing so the moment you conect to internet and update your pc it should auto read your mobo and activate with it's previous product key. Thank you hope this helps

 

[Nde007]

The drive is fully corrupted and lost it's way per say. All you need to do is use another pc, whether it be another you have or a friends thats willing to let you use there pc for ruffly 2 1/2hrs. Download windows 10 media creation tool, Launch and create bootable usb. After done put into your pc boot via usb, and reinstall when it ask for product key. Please select i dont have one it should give you a list of all windows 10 copys select the copy that IS CURRENTLY INSTALLED and activated on this pc. In doing so the moment you conect to internet and update your pc it should auto read your mobo and activate with it's previous product key. Thank you hope this helps

Ugh.
Was so hoping this wasn't the case. I'm a long way away from anyone who can help in next few days. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, though. This is where I turn the blasted thing off and go to sleep! Tomorrow I shall have to hunt down a generous benefactor.

 

[white.a.drew]

Did you use a bootable USB installer created of of Windows Media Creation Tools to proceed with your reset? You shouldn't be seeing that many Windows 10 instances. You should follow through the last steps in this tutorial.

Windows 10 is bugged beyond a joke. This has happened so many times with windows recovery. Via usb recovery to rewrite windows os and keep my files and others files and in the process some pc will delete updated drivers for the usb port the usb is plugged into, someone bumps the usb, and the dreaded usb in itself got corrupted during creation proces rare but happens. It doesnt even take any of thoughs i have had a pc in mint condition i downgraded usb ports and everything before starting and still somehow in recovery process of never usd before windows 10 pc corrupted boot files. I dont think they focused on the "recovery" portion of win 10 since in there eyes it was suppose to be the most improved version of windows ever

 

[Colif]

I would just clean install and start again, sometimes its faster than messing with resets. I have seen resets wipe windows before, I don't trust it. Better to start from scratch,,, helps to only use C drive for windows though, and have all data on another drive so when windows dies, you just lose the time it takes to reinstall programs again.

C only has Windows + applications that need to be reinstalled with a fresh install of windows.
Hdd has everything that can survive a fresh install, so Steam games, all my music, pictures, documents etc.

last fresh install took 3 hours to recover from, I can remember it taking days in the past, Cumulative updates and windows version updates sure make that faster.

 

[Nde007]

I would just clean install and start again, sometimes its faster than messing with resets. I have seen resets wipe windows before, I don't trust it. Better to start from scratch,,, helps to only use C drive for windows though, and have all data on another drive so when windows dies, you just lose the time it takes to reinstall programs again.

C only has Windows + applications that need to be reinstalled with a fresh install of windows.
Hdd has everything that can survive a fresh install, so Steam games, all my music, pictures, documents etc.

last fresh install took 3 hours to recover from, I can remember it taking days in the past, Cumulative updates and windows version updates sure make that faster.

Thanks for your (and everyone else too!) Feedback and suggestions. I spent 3 hours driving to my "local" Microsoft store (I know them and trust their judgment). Lo and behold, they discovered I may have two drives (one HDD and one SSD)! Yes, I am that clueless when it comes to my own PC. I can fix my wife's, my kid's, my neighbors, but am lost with my own. Anyway, at first glimpse, the tech thinks the SSD is shot as it isn't being loaded. He's going to take a look and see once all data is backed up. If so, then we have to see if Dell soldered it in, or if it is replaceable. Fingers crossed. Just for the heck of it, I'll be sure to post the final diagnosis and resolution, when it's done.

 

[Colif]

is it a laptop? What they used to do is put a really small ssd in as a cache drive and use the HDD as the actual windows install location. Many people with this set up didn't know they had 2 drives either as windows itself didn't show it anywhere. The ssd & hdd were set up in a raid config and ssd didn't show anywherre.

The programs that ran the cache were pre loaded on PC and running without user being aware. Its only when it stops working that you find out it exists. Or if you replace the original hdd and ssd will suddenly appear.

depending on model, the ssd should be removable. I helped a guy with a similar problem last week.

clueless: I can help people with problems with their PC all day and yet for 3 months last year I had a problem that no one could figure out. As a mod says in his sig on here, the more you know, the more bizarre the errors thrown at you become.