Category: Hardware

How to fix preparing automatic repair loop during Windows start after the latest Windows feature update?

Last updated: 20200730

Sidenote:

Our clients have scheduled backups that runs Macrium Reflect, so we can always restore their computer to a certain date should the computer ever crash or become unbootable – see: https://apps.badjoerichards.com/apps/developerhack/how-to-restore-a-macrium-reflect-backup-when-your-computer-is-unbootable-or-fail-to-boot-to-windows/

 

PROBLEM:

HOWEVER, the latest Windows feature update has caused multiple computers across the globe to fail to boot, and get caught in the preparing automatic repair loop – which fails to repair booting, and users can no longer boot and use their computer.

SOLUTION:

Head to your BIOS, and change the booting device to Windows Boot Manager that is hosted on the correct disk drive!

DIAGNOSED PROBLEM:

It seems the latest Windows Feature Update installs a new Windows Boot partition info into the WRONG drive, especially if you have multiple drives on your computer.

We’re unsure what algorithm the Windows update use to pick the drive, but clearly, it’s not working correctly, therefore installing Boot Manager into the wrong drive, and causing a failed boot and repair loop.

How and what can I use with DOACE 220v to 110v voltage converter?

Ok so you have one of these and you want to be sure what products work on which ports before destroying your expensive electronics? Here’s a list of electronics that have been tested and the locations.

Apple Macbook Pro:

  • Target Country: Cambodia
  • Target voltage: 230V
  • Product (Apple Macbook Pro) voltage: 100V to 240V
  • Product (Apple Macbook Pro) connected port on DOACE voltage converter: 1x Dual Adapter Sockets

The Apple Macbook Pro power adapter is a multi-voltage device, meaning it can work in countries with voltage from 100V to 240V. Cambodia’s voltage of 230V is within that range, therefore your Apple Macbook Pro can connect directly to the power socket in Cambodia.

If you still want to connect it to the DOACE voltage converter device, DO NOT connect it to the “Auto Switch Voltage Converter Socket”! Use one of the “Dual Adapter Socket” instead.

How to run 2 copies of Windows 10 on your computer? (2018 September update)

This article needs more work!

It seems the latest version of Windows 10 and its update does not like multiple copies of Windows 10 running on the same computer.

When restoring a Windows 10 NEW image to C:\ and fixing boot to have only 1 Boot entry in Macrium Reflect only, saving to our Plextor M.2 disk. Computer works fine.

Attempt 3:20pm, to create Windows 10 2nd installation on D:

  1. On Windows 10, C:\ , I clone the same image to D:\ using drag and drop in Macrium Reflect 7.1. (12 mins)
  2. Using EasyBCD 2.3, I add D:\ into the boot menu.
  3. Restart my computer and heading into C:\ works fine.
  4. Restart my computer and heading into D:\ also works fine!

Conclusion: Seems like cloning the 2nd Windows needs to happen from the first copy of Windows, and the EasyBCD work should also be done right after, on that Windows, to work.

Therefore, the first DISK C:\ can be done from Macrium Reflect Rescue Disk, then fix the windows boot from Rescue Disk as well. After that, boot into the first C:\ Windows, and create the 2nd Windows installation using Steps 1-4 above.

Tip: Create a folder on C:\ with a unique name like, “I_AM_C”. So that when booting into the cloned 2nd Windows, you can differentiate the folders from File Explorer.

 

Other historical info…

Attempt 3:44pm, to restore OLD Music Windows on D:

  1. Deleting the partition from Windows > Computer Management > Disk Management > Delete Volume.
  2. Restoring cloned D:\ old image to D:\.
  3. Restarting the computer and booting into C:\ works
  4. Now running EasyBCD, we see 2nd entry is missing, so we added 2nd entry and restarted the computer.
  5. Booting into C:\ works!
  6. Now restarting and booting into D:\. The old image fails to start, so we try to boot into Windows Bootable USB.
  7. Now from Troubleshoot > Command Prompt , we check the correct drive and folders, and run, “robocopy e:\windows f:\windows /MIR” where e: is the working Windows and f: is the old unbootable Windows. (started at 3:55pm ended 4:04pm)
  8. Once done, we use F12 > Windows Boot Manager to boot into C:\ windows which works!
  9. Now running EasyBCD, we remove the 2nd Windows entry and add it again. Then double check by running msconfig > boot.
  10. Restarting the computer and loading C:\ again works!
  11. Now restarting and loading D:\ fails and gets stuck in loop during windows loading.. black screen and working lights.
  12. Force shutdown and attempt to start C:\ Windows again – works!
  13. Boot C:\ windows and repeat steps 9-10. C:\ works!
  14. Now restart computer and trying windows D:\ – and still in infinite loop, this time showing the cursor. Hitting the shutdown button on desktop hardware, starts the shutdown.
  15. Boot C:\ windows and repeat steps 9-10. C:\ works!
  16. Now restart computer and trying windows D:\ – and still in infinite loop, this time showing the cursor. Hitting the shutdown button on desktop hardware, starts the shutdown.
  17. Giving up.. Gonna use new Windows Image and re-install from there 4:20pm

 

So attempt, to clone C:\ Windows image to D:\ at 4:21pm:

  1. Head to Computer Management > Disk Management > D:\ > Delete Volume
  2. Using Macrium Reflect, I load the backup image of C:\ (create one if you haven’t), and select Restore this partition.
  3. Drag and dropped the partition into Target D:\ area on the UI.

 

 

How to use Macrium Reflect to backup and restore your partitions (and Windows installations) easily?

You can drag a partition into another partition to clone a Windows installation. Only DRAGGING works, at least in Macrium Reflect 6.3 and 7.1, that’s the case.

You can download Macrium Reflect free here.

It’s a great tool, always create a Rescue disk using an empty USB drive (4GB).

How to protect your iPhone 7 (3 best ways) or 7s and save $960?

So you’ve just gotten the latest new iPhone 7 or 7s, and you’re figuring out how to best protect it? Well, before you start bringing it out with you when you go to work, school or gym tomorrow, make sure you’ve at least done the following 3 things. Alright, or at least just one of them, please?

Here are the 3 top and best ways to protect your iPhone 7.

  1. Get a screen protector. ($7.99) Believe me it’s well worth the $8 dollars. Have you dropped your phone before? Have you dropped it more than once in the past year? If you answered yes to any of the above, you’ll know it costs anywhere for $80 to $120 just to have your iPhone screen fixed. ($7.99 to save $80.00 in repairs)iPhone 7 screen protector
  2. Get a case. ($10.98) And as a savvy user, I’m talking about a slim, transparent one that protects your phone from scratches and also falling from your pockets – no nonsense. ($10.98 to save $80.00 in repairs)iPhone 7 case protect
  3. Turn on Find my iPhone. (Free) You just spent $800 getting a brand new iPhone 7 or 7s, now you don’t want to lose it. Turn it on with the following steps:
    1. From the Home screen, navigate: Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
    2. Ensure that the Location Services switch is on.
    3. Tap System Services.
    4. Tap the Find My iPhone switch to turn on.

Now anytime you need to find your phone. Head to iCloud.com , log in, and click on ‘Find my iPhone’. ($0.00 to save $800.00 potentially)

There you have it. While we’ll continually figure out the top best ways to protect your new iPhone 7, feel free to let us know if you have new or better ideas which we can update this list with. This is the 3 best ways to protect your new iPhone 7.