Question Endless reboot cycle after latest security updates ?

[eco_bach]

After installing the latest set of security updates, my Dell XPS 15 Laptop is in an endless reboot cycle.
It boots, I see the Dell logo for several seconds, then it reboots again, repeat.

How can I resolve this?

 

[BFG-9000]

Well it's now secure and nobody can hack into it anymore right?

Supposedly if you let it reboot enough times, it will go to automatic startup repair and after it does that twice and fails should let you let you get to the hidden secret boot menu to select system restore via Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> System Restore so you can roll back the updates.

Alternately if you'd rather go into Safe Mode, in the same boot menu there's Advanced Startup Options -> Startup Settings -> Restart. Once restarted from this selection, choose 4 (safe mode) from the menu. From there you can use System Restore, chkdsk then sfc /scannow or just copy all of your documents over so you can format and reinstall.

Needless to say this doesn't always work, but Microsoft have decided that Windows never breaks anymore so they disabled the F8 functionality of previous versions of Windows. If you'd like to restore that:
Open an administrator Command Prompt and enter:
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
You will receive the message "The operation completed successfully"
That should make getting to safe mode much easier in the future by just hitting F8 before Windows starts to load

Of course you'd need a working Windows to do that but it's good to know for next time. If you cannot get into the repair menus any other way, booting from the Windows Install Media on USB will also give you that option.

 

[eco_bach]

Well it's now secure and nobody can hack into it anymore right?

Supposedly if you let it reboot enough times, it will go to automatic startup repair and after it does that twice and fails should let you let you get to the hidden secret boot menu to select system restore via Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> System Restore so you can roll back the updates.

Alternately if you'd rather go into Safe Mode, in the same boot menu there's Advanced Startup Options -> Startup Settings -> Restart. Once restarted from this selection, choose 4 (safe mode) from the menu. From there you can use System Restore, chkdsk then sfc /scannow or just copy all of your documents over so you can format and reinstall.

Needless to say this doesn't always work, but Microsoft have decided that Windows never breaks anymore so they disabled the F8 functionality of previous versions of Windows. If you'd like to restore that:
Open an administrator Command Prompt and enter:
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
You will receive the message "The operation completed successfully"
That should make getting to safe mode much easier in the future by just hitting F8 before Windows starts to load

Of course you'd need a working Windows to do that but it's good to know for next time. If you cannot get into the repair menus any other way, booting from the Windows Install Media on USB will also give you that option.

Thanks.
Appreciate the lengthy response!
Unfortunately the reboot cycle never ends!
Would you know if there is some keyboard shortcut that would allow me to boot in Safe Mode or get into Startup Repair?

 

[eco_bach]

After some fiddling was able to get into BIOS. Ran disgnostics. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Booted again holding down F12 key. Not sure what changed but boot process was a bit different. Can now see spinning circle icon below the Dell logo.
After several seconds I boot successfully into my Windows desktop.
Am reluctant now to do any further updates!
I have no idea what is happening.

What Windows disgnostic check should I run to confirm system software inegrity?

 

[rgd1101]

check event log?
how full are the ssd?

 

[eco_bach]

Thanks for feedback. Still have 10% space on SSD.
Ran sfc/scannow which seemed to fix a few corrupt files. Hopefully ok for now.
I know from experience NOT to attempt a Windows update if your hard drive is full!
I basically bricked my desktop machine not too long ago and had to do a clean install of Windows!