I've been having a major issue with my pre-built CyberPower PC that's around 6-7 years old. Three days ago, it started running Check Disk automatically, which led it into Automatic Repair mode and then I ended up with a blue screen showing advanced options. Now, every time I try to boot into Windows, I either get a black screen, encounter the Windows login screen but can't enter my PIN, or face a CRITICAL_PROCESS_RED error. There was one time when I managed to log in, but it was to a temporary account with a lot of my settings missing. The system also sometimes shows messages like "We can't sign into your account" or prompts me to reboot and select the proper boot device. I checked my BIOS settings, and I can see my SSD (Adata SU650) listed, but for some reason, it's not prioritizing it properly in the boot sequence. I did replug the cables into my SSD, but that didn't help. I'd really appreciate any advice to troubleshoot this issue without having to take it to a shop, especially since I'm not very tech-savvy. I know that using a USB might be a solution, but I don't have one available right now.
4 Answers
If you're not comfortable with tech stuff, bringing it to someone who is might be the best option. They can help with the repairs or advise whether the drive is truly toast.
Sounds super frustrating! It definitely seems like your drive could be on the fritz. If you're able, maybe try using a different computer or borrowing a USB drive to create a Windows installation media. It's a great way to see if a fresh install resolves the issues without losing your important stuff.
Honestly, it might just be time to take it to a shop. They can quickly check the health of your drives. If one is physically failing, no amount of troubleshooting will help. If they're fine, they could help with repairs to save your current setup without a complete reinstall.
It sounds like your operating system might be having some serious issues, and there's a chance your drive could be failing too. First, if you can get into Safe Mode, check for any dump files in C:WindowsMinidump. These files contain logs from crashes and can help diagnose the problem. If you find any, you can zip them and upload them to a file-sharing site for further analysis. If you can't boot at all, it might be better to consider getting a new SSD and setting up a fresh installation of Windows while retrieving any important files from your old drive via a USB drive cradle later on.
Yeah, and if the drive is failing, just resurrecting the OS might not cut it. I'd definitely prioritize data recovery if that's important to you!
I agree. Sometimes, you need an experienced eye to diagnose the issues correctly.