What should I do if my notebook PC is showing ‘preparing automatic repair’ but not repairing?

A useful approach is to access Advanced Boot Options and run diagnostic tools. Here’s how: 1. Hold the power button to shut down the notebook. 2. Boot up and immediately press F11 or Esc (the key may vary based on brand) to access Advanced Boot Options. 3. Choose ‘Advanced options.’ 4. Start with ‘Startup Repair’ and let Windows try to fix the issue. 5. If that doesn’t work, go back to ‘Advanced options’ and select ‘Command Prompt.’ 6. Run ‘chkdsk /f /r’ and ‘sfc /scannow’ to scan and repair disk and system files. These diagnostics can often find and fix the core issue.

Sometimes, the loop can be broken by using Windows installation media to perform a system repair. Here’s how: 1. Create a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) using another computer. 2. Insert the installation media into the problematic notebook. 3. Boot the notebook from the installation media—you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS. 4. Once the Windows setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click ‘Next.’ 5. Click ‘Repair your computer’ at the bottom-left corner. 6. Select ‘Troubleshoot,’ then ‘Advanced options,’ and finally ‘Startup Repair.’ Follow the on-screen instructions to allow Windows to attempt a repair.

If a recent system update or driver installation is causing the issue, try the following: 1. Boot into Safe Mode: Turn off your PC and turn it back on, pressing the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. Choose ‘Safe Mode with Networking.’ 2. In Safe Mode, you have a couple of options: – Rollback Updates: Go to ‘Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update’ and uninstall the last update. – Reinstall Drivers: Go to ‘Device Manager,’ find the recently updated drivers, right-click, and select ‘Uninstall.’ Then restart your PC and let Windows automatically reinstall the correct drivers. These steps help in isolating and reversing the recent changes, hopefully fixing the problem.

To start off, try a simple hard restart. Turn off the PC, unplug any external devices like USB drives, then press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds. This might reset the system and clear minor issues. If it doesn’t work, you can access Safe Mode: 1. Turn off the PC. 2. Turn it back on and quickly tap F8 or Shift + F8 until the Advanced Boot Options appear. 3. Select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking. 4. Once in Safe Mode, run a system scan with your antivirus software to check for any malicious files. 5. Also, run ‘sfc /scannow’ via Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files. These steps might help in identifying or resolving the issue.

Resetting the PC might resolve the problem and allow you to keep your files while reinstalling the operating system. Follow these steps: 1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment by turning off the PC and then turning it on while pressing F11 (this may vary by manufacturer). 2. Select ‘Troubleshoot’ from the options. 3. Choose ‘Reset this PC.’ 4. Opt for ‘Keep my files’ to ensure your data remains intact while Windows reinstalls itself. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset. This should be done only if other methods fail, as it involves reinstalling the OS, which can be disruptive.

Hardware issues could be causing the automatic repair loop. Check the following: – RAM Check: Reseat or replace the RAM sticks. – Hard Drive Test: Use a diagnostic tool like CrystalDiskInfo to check the health of your hard drive. Bad sectors may need attention. – Cooling: Ensure your notebook isn’t overheating. Clean out any dust from the fans and vents, and confirm that the cooling system works efficiently. By systematically addressing these hardware components, you might resolve the issue.