Why does my computer show a red light on a black screen, go into automatic repair, and then return to a black screen?

I suspect that this issue might be hardware-related, potentially linked to RAM or the motherboard. Here’s a comprehensive approach you can take:

• Test the RAM: Faulty RAM can cause various boot issues. If you have multiple RAM sticks, try removing one stick at a time and boot the system to identify if one is faulty.
• Update the BIOS: Sometimes, motherboard firmware updates can fix such problems. Check the manufacturer’s website for any BIOS updates and carefully follow their instructions to update it.
• Check External Peripherals: Remove all peripherals except the mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Any external hardware might be causing the system not to boot correctly. If it boots successfully, add each peripheral back one by one to identify the problematic piece.

From your description, it sounds like this could be a problem with your operating system. Particularly, a corrupted system file might be causing the red light and the repair loop. Here are a few things to consider:

• System File Corruption: Use a Windows installation media to boot into recovery mode. From there, you can run the sfc /scannow command to check for and repair corrupted system files.
• Repair Windows Installation: Still in recovery mode, choose the option to repair your Windows installation. This might overwrite corrupted files without affecting your personal data.
• Reinstall OS: As a last resort, you can reinstall the operating system. This will usually resolve deep software issues, but backing up your data (if possible) is essential before proceeding.

The issue you’re describing could be related to a failing hard drive or SSD. Here’s what you can try to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check the Hard Drive Connection: Open your computer case and ensure that all the cables connected to the hard drive are securely attached. A loose connection might cause the system not to boot properly.
2. Run a Diagnostic Tool: Use a bootable USB drive with a diagnostic tool to check the health of your hard drive or SSD. If the tool reports bad sectors or other errors, you might need to replace the drive.
3. Check for BIOS/UEFI Settings: Sometimes, the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI might need to be reset. Ensure that your hard drive is recognized and prioritized correctly.
4. Boot into Safe Mode: If possible, try to boot into safe mode. This might help you bypass the automatic repair loop and address any software conflicts.

It sounds like you could be dealing with a malware infection that’s interfering with the boot process. Here’s how you might address this:

1. Boot from a Rescue Disk: Use a trusted antivirus company’s rescue disk to boot your computer. These disks run independent of the installed OS and can help clean out deeply embedded malware.
2. Malicious Code: After booting from the rescue disk, run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious code that might be causing the problem.

Given the complexity of the issue, you may want to seek help from a professional if none of these solutions work.

The red light indicator and automatic repair loop usually hint at a more severe hardware issue. Considering the symptoms, it may be due to power supply issues. Here’s what you can try:

• Power Supply Unit (PSU): Ensure that your PSU is providing adequate power. A failing PSU can cause inconsistent power delivery leading to your current problem.
• Capacitor Check: Inspect the motherboard for any swollen or leaking capacitors. These components help regulate power and their failure can cause various boot issues.