Computer Stuck In Weird Loop

You're right, it didn't start it. It's coming on with the Preparing automatic repair screen, then went to the black encountered a problem and needs to restart screen, and now the preparing automatic repair screen again. I think it made no difference. Do you think I should unscrew the back next, or do you have another idea?

 

I'm having trouble getting back to Advanced options. It's stuck now trying to get there, it shows a black screen with a loading swirl and below that it says "Prepairing Automatic Repair". Usually after this, I get to the blue Automatic Repair screen, where I can get to Advanced options. But now, instead it goes to a black screen that says it encountered a problem and needs to restart. It restarts, and I get the same 2 screens again, and it restarts, etc.

 

Sure, just saw your last post. Hanging on.

 

Gulp. Okay, let me read it.

 

I currently do not have an empty USB stick, so I'll have to transfer files from one to another. Once we're done, will we be able to empty the USB I use, or will Windows 11 be stuck on it?

This will completely reset her Windows, and she will lose everything won't she? Obviously it is completely stuck and unusable currently, she is just wondering if it is time to cry.

 

This may take me a while. I'm working on it.

 

I'm going to have to take a break for now. I'll work on this later tonight when I can take more time and read through it and get a USB cleared out. I think I can do it! You'll either wake up to enthusiastic success or several more questions....

Have a good night, and thanks for all your help!

 

No success yet, but no questions either. I couldn't come up with a USB stick I could empty, so I ordered one that will be here in the morning.

I finished reading through the steps to create Windows 11 media, and it seems pretty straightforward. There have been a few times when you've provided instructions that initially caused me panic, but then turned out to be simple enough (I'll try to remember this). You are right, going through the process does help you learn a lot.

 

Oh wow, she'll be glad to hear that! You're fine, you're not putting me through anything, you're saving my life again as usual. You can never tell what will happen, and I needed new USB sticks anyway. I just got back, and am getting ready to download the Windows 11 media. Should I check back here before I put the USB in her computer, or do I follow the steps to download Windows in the link you gave?

 

It seems my five posts in a row last night broke my record. Computers stress me out more than they should because I don't understand what's happening. Really you help me calm down and realize we are still in control of them. No harm done at all, without you we probably would have thrown it away already.

I have everything downloaded on the USB and ready to go. I'm going to give you some time to write back before I put it in her computer, because something you said in your last post made me wonder if you are just trying to get the computer to boot differently rather than actually download Windows 11 again.

Let me know what's next. Thanks for helping!

 

It happened like you said, and I was able to select Repair your PC, but then it did the same cycle of Preparing Automatic Repair and then Your Computer encountered a problem and needs to restart, then restart, then Preparing Automatic Repair...

It's done 3 cycles now, I don't think it will stop. The USB is still in there, now what?

 

Okay.

 

My friend had the idea of unplugging the computer, turning it on, and letting it cycle until the battery was completely drained. Do you think that would help? I'll look through my book too and let you know if I get any ideas.

 

Okay, thanks, I appreciate all the work you put into it.

My friend said if we end up wiping her computer she wouldn't cry (actually she said it wouldn't be a big deal, since she'd lose everything if she had to buy a new one, too). I read a youtube comment where someone thought power issues might be causing it? I notice most of the plugs in the surge protector she uses don't work, so I'm going to swap it for a better one, but doubt this is the only problem. Otherwise, my book said to try powering the computer off and on 3 times in a row, but this did not help anything.

That's all I've come up with so far.

 

Thanks for the plain explanation, I even read it to my friend and she understood it. She'd like us to do what we can to try to save her files, and understands if it doesn't work. We don't fault you at all, like I said: without you we would be doing much worse. She does wonder how much hair you've pulled out so far...

I did order extra USB sticks, so I'm ready if they're needed for the new tool. Thanks again for helping us!