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Resolved Question

Infinite Repair Loop Windows 8.1

Oct 16, 2018 8:29PM PDT

Currently stuck in an infinite loops where it attempts to repair my windows then sends me to the start up menu where I can select to restore etc...

Only problem is that when I go to restore to a previous version, it says that my anti virus is in the way and doesn't finish completely. I cannot get past the windows logo on boot so it's impossible to disable my anti virus. I'm wondering if there is anyway to bypass this part?

Another thing is that I cannot run safe mode, and when I try to make my computer start up with the options to start in safe mode it just boots up normally without any prompt, which leaves me stuck in this loop forever.

I do not have a windows disk or usb or anything like that, and it seems there is no possible way to fix this problem. I'm forever stuck on this windows logo that sends me to recovery startup that doesn't help me at all. Any tips?

Discussion is locked

Fxns has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
Which AV
Oct 16, 2018 9:00PM PDT

Post was last edited on October 16, 2018 9:04 PM PDT

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Don't have one
Oct 16, 2018 9:02PM PDT

Don't even have an anti virus - so windows anti virus?

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Welp
Oct 16, 2018 9:39PM PDT

Yeah after searching around that seems to be the only fix is a copy of windows - thanks anyway. If anyone has any work around somehow (tried rebuilding bde whatever the hell that was and a couple other commands prompt things) let me know.

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Don't do anything yet
Oct 16, 2018 10:22PM PDT

as I'm no pro . A pro may cruise by and give you some info.

Best Answer

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Two exits I know of.
Oct 17, 2018 9:53AM PDT

1. EasyRE. It does cost money so many get upset about that.

2. Start over. Get your recovery media or your OS DVD out and start over. If you forgot to keep backups this may be the time to install a nice fast SSD drive and leave the old HDD for install after the OS is installed.

Again on item 2, we put in the new SSD, install the OS, drivers and apps we like then power down, add the old HDD so we can get at the old files that were not on backups.

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Hm
Oct 18, 2018 1:22PM PDT

Downloaded 8.1 from Microsoft website and went to refresh / reset my PC and was told the media is invalid - so now I'm still stuck here and neither of those fix my problem. All I need is my anti virus to be turned off and the system restore will work but my computer refuses to do that and or go into safe mode (which would probably turn off the AV). So still stuck here and have installation usb - trying to avoid a complete reinstall of windows lol

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Files
Oct 18, 2018 1:25PM PDT

I don't care about any files I have on my computer they are all useless and downloadable - but I'd rather find a simple fix such as turning off my AV or booting in safe mode. (Also the automatic repair screen where it says to have these options appear, restart your PC, doesn't work.)

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So far
Oct 18, 2018 1:30PM PDT

When it reaches this point I've had to reinstall. EasyRE is payware so few do that method.

As to the invalid media I can't tell if it complained about the installed OS or your install media.

Your PC's make and model is missing so I can't tell if this is some Dell, Sony or other that you order up restore media. The price of this has gone up here from 35 to about 50ish. I've seen a lot of owners melt down over that and some just buy a new PC.

Can you tell what the invalid media is? Was it the install media or the media in the PC? (HDD?)

Why I ask is most of the repair loop issues I fix is a blown OS and we get to wipe out and install the OS from recovery media or the OS DVD.

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Re
Oct 18, 2018 1:39PM PDT

The computer I have is an iBuyPower prebuilt with z97 anniversary mother board 3.2ghz Intel something and 8gb ram - it's probably my OS because I reset during an update and presumably ****** up the booting part of it, as for the invalid media I installed the entire windows 8.1 onto a USB and when asked to insert recovery/installation disc (when selecting refresh/reset PC) it said invalid media.

So my only question is - is there any way to disable the windows anti virus that is stopping my system restore? ( Error 0x80070005 ) If not, I will select in uhfi bios the USB and reinstall lol

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Media Message
Oct 18, 2018 1:42PM PDT

'the media inserted is not valid'

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Maybe if you feel
Oct 18, 2018 1:45PM PDT

like playing, you could boot up some Linux Distro and find the AV and delete it ?
Maybe a pro will let us know Confused

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I've yet to see Microsoft's Antivirus
Oct 18, 2018 2:18PM PDT

Be a factor. If you can't boot safe mode and can't boot the Windows Install and Repair media (USB or DVD) then you are looking at a meltdown.

At no time could I write that using a downloaded OS be the correct version for recovery media. When you have recovery media, that was supplied with the PC. Made per the maker's instructions or bought later. Any download from Microsoft should be the wrong version when it's from a maker installed OS.

-> It's too late for the free W10 OS so I wonder if at any time you tried W10 so we can find a cheap exit. If you had installed W10 and it activated we could have a cheap exit but the more you write the more I think you are stuck with getting the factory recovery media from iBuyPower or just getting another OS to install (Linux is free, Windows should be about 100 bucks and recovery media from makers seem to run about 50ish bucks.)


THE STORY READS LIKE THE USUAL. OS blows up due to some reason like reset during an update and the owner is trying all the free avenues but none work.

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Oh ok good to know thanks lul
Oct 18, 2018 2:27PM PDT

iBUYPOWER-Brad • 12:41 PM
You can still use Microsoft's image to activate an ibuypower windows version.

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Just to add this
Oct 19, 2018 8:56PM PDT

I used the windows 8.1 iso that was free on Microsoft and refreshed my PC - it's now fixed and windows is repaired.

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Last post for iBuyPower
Oct 19, 2018 9:04PM PDT

Some people might have wireless adapter on prebuilt iBuyPowers (Ac600 WLAN USB) that will cause an attempted execute of noexecute memory on refresh of your PC, unplug it and install most recent driver update for it. Ok thanks end of thread forever