I turned off my PC and unplugged it to clean the inside using a can of compressed air. Now, when I try to boot it up normally, I just see the message 'Preparing automatic repair' before it takes me to various options. I can access the BIOS and I've checked all my hardware connections and the boot order, but nothing seems to work. I'm not really tech-savvy, so I'm looking for any advice or solutions you might have!
2 Answers
When you first booted, did it mention anything about a CMOS issue? If you unplugged the power for a while, that could reset your BIOS settings, especially if the CMOS battery is dead. You may need to go back into the BIOS and restore those settings. Also, make sure you weren't touching any components without grounding yourself while cleaning. If any electrostatic discharge occurred, that could have affected your SSD. But honestly, I'd check the CMOS battery first; it’s often the culprit in these situations.
Honestly, the automatic repair feature usually doesn’t work as it should. You might want to consider using a Windows install USB to repair your system, just make sure it's the same version of Windows you have (like 10). Although I'm not sure if your data will be safe during this process. If you can manage to get into Windows, running a memory test and checking your drive's health with tools like CrystalDiskInfo could provide more insights. Also, be cautious with how you clean the fans next time; if they spin too fast while you're cleaning, it can generate unwanted electricity.
When I restarted, everything ran fine for a bit. I logged in and got to my desktop, but then it froze and began the repair process. And yeah, I now realize I probably should have grounded myself before cleaning. The CMOS battery is definitely old, so that might be an issue too.