Windows 10 won't boot after kernel security error

[JMG_47]

A couple of weeks ago when booting up my PC, I came to I assume the Windows 10 version of the blue screen of death. It said something to the effect of a kernel security check error, it said it was repairing the PC and would reboot.

However, it wouldn't reboot. The farthest it would ever go is the 4 blue square windows screen and then eventually the screen would go black. For a while, the blue light on my monitor would stay solid but the "analog" and "digital" icons on the screen would alternate between analog and digital. Eventually it would just go black and the monitor screen would blink and the HDD light would stay off.

Multiple reboot attempts never got past that screen, and eventually the screen will just go black and the monitor light just blinks.

I went to my office computer that also runs Windows 10 and made a repair disk. I got home today, got into the BIOS and changed the boot priority to the DVD. I was able to get it to boot up to the repair disc (after a couple of attempts) and got into the repair utility. I tried the Start Up (or boot) repair, and it said it couldn't fix it. I tried the system restore and it said I had no restore points. So I thought (stupidly), maybe just getting into this repair disc area it would go ahead and boot on up. So I clicked "Exit and continue to Windows 10". Well that got be right back to where I was, a black screen.

So then I decided I would just go back in and use the utility to "reset", keep certain files and do a clean Windows 10 reinstall. Now I can't even get back into it. When I try to boot, IF I can even get any data to show on the screen and the monitor to "wake up" I can't get back into the repair disc. I can get as far as "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" and then it will go to the 4 blue square windows screen that I was at previously, then eventually the screen will flash and then just stay black. It's frustrating that even by not changing anything, I can't get back to where I was.

By a little googling, sounds like maybe it could be a video card issue? But I'm fairly clueless here and sincerely appreciate any help.

 

[viveknayyar007]

Hello JMG_47

Can you please confirm if you are using a desktop computer or a laptop?

If it is a desktop computer, you may want to clear the CMOS. Here's how:

> Power off the computer.

> Disconnect it from the power supply.

> Open the back panel of the system case.

> Locate and pull out its CMOS battery. (A round shiny battery that looks like the ones used in wrist watches, but this one is bigger in size.)

> Leave the computer alone for 30 to 45 minutes.

> Reconnect the PC to the power supply and try booting it with the repair disc first without battery, and then with it.

In case of laptop:

> Turn off the computer.

> Unplug the power adapter.

> Pull out its battery.

> Press down and hold the Power button for 45-60 seconds.

> Release the Power button.

> Put the battery back in.

> Try booting the laptop with the repair disc this time.

If none of the above options work, try creating a Windows 10 bootable USB stick, disable all the booting devices in the BIOS leaving only the USB option at the first boot priority, and then try booting the computer with the USB drive.

Feel free to report back if further assistance is needed.

Cheers!!

 

[JMG_47]

It's a desktop, and I made some progress!

I followed your advice and removed the CMOS battery and let it sit for almost an hour. I then plugged it back up without the battery in and It was able to boot all the way up to Windows 10!

However, it reminded me of a symptom that I left out in my original question. I had completely forgotten one major thing that precipitated the first event.

This time around I got it booted up and everything seemed to be perfectly normal for about 5 minutes. I was on the internet, about to update my virus subscription (it said it was expired and I was going to look up the code where I renewed it). I was going to run a virus scan and malwarebytes scan to be safe.

Then "it" happened again. The screen all of the sudden went pixelated and froze. This is exactly what happened last time. I ran to get my phone to try to get a picture, but by the time I came back the screen was black and the computer was unresponsive. The only solution is to long press the power button to turn off. Upon rebooting, it came to the windows screen (four blue squares) and said, "Preparing automatic repair...diagnosing your PC...attempting repairs..." and then a blue screen that said, "Automatic repair couldn't repair your PC."

I'm guessing since I was just able to get into Windows 10 before this, there is no need to reinstall the OS.

Does this sound like a bad video card? I just looked it up, this card is 8 years old. A XFX GeForce 8800 GS.

If so, any recommendations for a new video card to put in its place?

Thanks SO much for the help so far. You're the only one that has even tried in various places that I've asked!

*Edited to add, I just looked up...apparently 8 years out of a video card is pretty good...hah. So perhaps thats the issue? As far as a suggestion for a replacement, it probably helps if I give some other info. This is not used for gaming but the most taxing thing it is ever used for is mainly photoshop (lightroom) and occassionally rendering a video. Otherwise just for browsing and organizing pictures. It probably is time to upgrade the video card, and add a SSD. Current processor is i7-2600 quad core, bought in 2012.

*Updated #2. It was the video card. I just disconnected it and took it out and just plugged the monitor into the mobo video card slot and voila. Thanks so much for the tip on how to get it booted up, I never would've thought about that. I'm still open to video card suggestions!