Windows 8 struck in auto-repair loop

Run the Diagnostics by tapping F12 as soon as you reboot to access the boot menu. Include the extended hard drive test. Don't wait for any screen before tapping F12.

I have done that and it found nothing all test are pass

Hi gerv101,

If the diagnostic test have passed, it appears to be an issue with the Windows. Try performing 'Refresh' to repair the Windows. It is a great method of returning your PC to a known good state while preserving your files and a great deal of your configuration. With the Refresh your PC option, user accounts, data files, and some settings are preserved on your PC without the need to create a backup, or to make choices about what to keep or remove. Please try the below mentioned steps:

• Shut down the computer
• Power On the system
• Power Off the system at Dell Logo with “rolling dots” at the bottom of the screen
• Repeat the above steps 2-3 times
• Click ‘Troubleshoot’
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Choose Refresh your PC.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Click the Next button at the Reset your PC and start over step of the wizard.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• You may be prompted to insert installation or recovery media if there is not a recovery image preconfigured on your PC.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Click the Refresh button at the Ready to refresh your PC step.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• At this point, the PC is restarted, and the refresh actions are completed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Note: Please backup the data before follow the above shared steps.

Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions.

I can't get access to the advance option. We I start the first time i get the normal start screen with the dell logo and the roling dot. I stop it, restart it and he start in the preparation for auto-repair

Hi gerv101,

Thank you for sharing the information. We will need to reinstall the Windows to fix this error. You may do this using the Recovery Media if created when you first received the system, if not then you will need the Windows re-installation discs to do so. Please share if you have the recovery media or the Windows re-installation discs available with you or not.

If not, please share the system's Service Tag and Owner's Name with me via private message (click my username and then click Send a Private Message). Also, share whether this system purchased with Windows 8 pre-installed or you have upgraded it.

Please reply with the information, I'll be happy to assist you further.

I'm having the exact same issue on my Inspiron 660. The one difference is I had made a recovery disk, but the computer continues to do the automatic repair loop even when booting from the dvd drive. I changed the BIOS to boot from the DVD drive.

Hi mhulet,

Please share the Operating System which came pre-installed when you purchased it. Also, you must have received Drivers disc along with the system, please try boot the system using it. If the system is booting fine with it, it is possible that Recovery Media created was not correctly created or is not working at all. In this scenario you will need Windows re-installation discs to perform clean installation of Windows.

Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions.

Hi Michael,

Please share the status if you are able to boot from Drivers disc or not. Also, if you are not able to boot from the Drivers disc, try restoring the system back to factory settings following the below mentioned steps:

• Shut down the computer.
• Power On the system.
• Power Off the system at Dell Logo with “rolling dots” at the bottom of the screen.
• Repeat the above steps 2-3 times/.
• Click ‘Troubleshoot’.
• Click the Dell Backup and Recovery icon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The system restarts and comes back up, click Next on the Dell Backup and Recovery Screen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The system would be checked to see if the smart repair option can fix the issue, click Next once this is done.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• You will be prompted to select the backup to be used, click the factory image option or select from one of the backups. Click Next.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• You will be prompted to backup your files, if needed do so by selecting the option Yes, backup my personal files (Make sure to have an external backup hard drive handy.) or select No, Erase my files.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The system goes ahead and completes the restore of the operating system. Click Restart when prompted.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Follow the on-screen instructions to setup the system with windows.

Note: Please backup the data as this process leads to complete data loss.

Hope this helps. Please reply with the information, I'll be happy to assist you further.

Hi,

I tried powering the computer off as instructed, but this did not work. Also, I tried booting from the Drivers and Utilities disk that was sent with the computer, but the computer does not "see" the dvd drive when I do that. When I use the recovery disk, the computer does "see" the dvd drive and allows me to use that as a boot option, but when I try to boot from the recovery dvd, it still shutdowns down and restarts (although it doesn't say "automatic repair" like it does when booting from the hard drive.

What else can I try? I have some important data on the hard drive that I don't want to lose.

Thanks.

Michael

I have some important data on the hard drive that I don't want to lose.

You should be able to use something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002 to retrieve the data

Hi Michael,

Thank you for sharing the information. You may proceed further to reset the system back to factory settings. This will lead to complete data loss. You may use an External Hard Drive Enclosure with Integrated USB Cable to backup the data. You may also try and contact local computer technician or stores to assist you with backing up your data.

Please share the results, if you are able to perform PC Restore following the steps shared by me in my previous reply or not. If the process fails and you are not able to do so, then you will need the Windows re-installation discs to perform clean installation of Windows.

Hope this helps.

Hi,

I've tried all of the steps and nothing has worked thus far. I will plan to backup the data using an external hard drive, but it looks like I will need a clean installation of Windows. How do I get the software to reinstall? Windows came pre-installed on the PC.

Thanks for your help.

Michael

Hi Michael,

Thank you for sharing the information. Please share the system's Service Tag and Owner's Name with me via private message (click my username and then click Send a Private Message). I will review the details and share the further course of action with you in regards to arranging for Windows Media discs.

Please reply with the information, I'll be happy to assist you further.