Just to clarify:
You say the OS will not boot into Safe Mode:
- I presume it will not boot normally either?
- Is that why you're trying to boot into Safe Mode- because it won't boot normally?
- Have you tried booting into Advanced Startup mode?
You say you do not have a Windows 11 license key:
- Does that mean you have been running an OS that is not activated?
- Are you signing in via a local account or via a Microsoft account?
Once you answer those questions we can take this further.
Jim Hillier said
Just to clarify:You say the OS will not boot into Safe Mode:
- I presume it will not boot normally either? CORRECT
- Is that why you're trying to boot into Safe Mode- because it won't boot normally? PC will only boot if I use the multiple power ON/OFF process which takes system to BlkSOD after LOGIN
- Have you tried booting into Advanced Startup mode? YES, but ADVANCED STARTUP MODE options are all unsuccessful.
You say you do not have a Windows 11 license key:
- Does that mean you have been running an OS that is not activated? I understand from DELL Tech that the license key is integral to the mother board so it is not necessary.
- Are you signing in via a local account or via a Microsoft account? I do not know what the distinction is but when system powers up, a screen saver comes up, I hit ENTER to get to the LOGIN page, then enter PASSWORD, then darkness.
Once you answer those questions we can take this further. Thanks, Jim!
Sorry, I have a couple more questions:
What happens when you select "Command Prompt" from the Advanced Startup options- are you able to run any commands?
Did your Dell machine come with the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery tool?
I'm trying to see if we might be able to repair your existing OS so you won't need to start all over again. However, in the meantime I'll answer your questions:
Can I create a bootable Win11 USB without LICENSE KEY?
Yes, you do not need a license key to create a bootable Win11 USB. When you re-install Windows 11 the OS should be automatically activated using the original license key.
Will PC boot with Win11 USB even tho' cannot get to SAFE MODE?
Yes, you simply boot from the Win11 USB drive you've created. As soon as the Dell logo appears, start tapping F12 until a boot menu displays and then choose the USB drive.
Assuming the PC boots with USB, what steps would I need to take to restore the PC operation?
- Make sure you've backed up all your personal data beforehand
- Download the Windows 11 ISO
- Create a bootable USB drive using that ISO
- Boot from the bootable Win11 USB drive
- Install the operating system
Should replacement M.2 be installed prior to attempting USB boot?
Yes, that would be the preferred and simplest option.
How do I get the OS onto the new M.2?
As per the 5 steps listed above
Do I just copy the files/folders from the 256GB thumbdrive onto the new M.2?
It depends what you mean by "files/folders". You cannot copy across system files/folders only personal data- Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music etc.
Jim Hillier said
Sorry, I have a couple more questions:What happens when you select "Command Prompt" from the Advanced Startup options- are you able to run any commands? I have tried so many recovery procedures I do not remember how to get to Advanced Startup never mind the CMD option therein. I HAVE run various things using the CMD screen.
Did your Dell machine come with the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery tool? This may have been one of the options that I ran over the past couple of weeks.
I'm trying to see if we might be able to repair your existing OS so you won't need to start all over again. However, in the meantime I'll answer your questions:
Can I create a bootable Win11 USB without LICENSE KEY?
Yes, you do not need a license key to create a bootable Win11 USB. When you re-install Windows 11 the OS should be automatically activated using the original license key.
Will PC boot with Win11 USB even tho' cannot get to SAFE MODE?
Yes, you simply boot from the Win11 USB drive you've created. As soon as the Dell logo appears, start tapping F12 until a boot menu displays and then choose the USB drive.
Assuming the PC boots with USB, what steps would I need to take to restore the PC operation?
- Make sure you've backed up all your personal data beforehand I have used ReclaiMe app to recover all(?) files/data from the OEM M.2 SSD to a thumbdrive.
- Download the Windows 11 ISO Done
- Create a bootable USB drive using that ISO Done using Microsoft "Create Bootable Media" how-to. Do not know efficacy?!
- Boot from the bootable Win11 USB drive PENDING
- Install the operating system I assume this is what is on the bootable USB but do not know how to "install"
Should replacement M.2 be installed prior to attempting USB boot?
Yes, that would be the preferred and simplest option. OK
How do I get the OS onto the new M.2?
As per the 5 steps listed above
Do I just copy the files/folders from the 256GB thumbdrive onto the new M.2?
It depends what you mean by "files/folders". You cannot copy across system files/folders only personal data- Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music etc. What about programs, program files, etc., reclaimed by app onto a NTSF formatted USB? Perhaps supplying a screenshot of the USB content tree would be helpful?!
What concerns me here is this might be a hardware issue and, if that's the case, re-installing Windows might not fix the BSOD.
Safe Mode is often a good indicator of whether a BSOD is being caused by a software issue or a hardware issue. When you boot into Safe Mode you are eliminating a lot of extraneous software and only the software essential to running the OS is being loaded.
Consequently, if the machine will boot into Safe Mode okay that is generally indicative of a software issue. On the other hand, if a machine will not boot into safe mode that is generally indicative of a hardware issue.
Try this; disconnect everything that is not essential:
Disconnect all USB devices including printer, drives, and mouse.
If the machine is fitted with a GPU (graphics card), remove it too.
Then try booting again and see if the OS will load.
What about programs, program files, etc.,
No. Installed programs cannot be transferred they all have to be re-installed. When you re-install an operating system it is called a clean or fresh install and you are starting over from scratch again.
I'll explain how to install Windows from the bootable USB drive if/when we get to that stage.
OK, looked into ADVANCED STARTUP accessed via multiple power cycles...rnPreboot Performance Check (opened to Scan In Progress)rnCRITICAL ERROR MESSAGErnVersion Build 4400.07 UEFI ROMrnService Tag 6R15F33rnError Code 2000-0142 (which is Hardrive Failed Self Test and recommended replacement of M.2, either 256GB OR 512GBrnHD 10 S/N 20059F805325rnCONTINUErnPrepping Auto Repair - optionsrnContinue Turn Off PCrnUse A Device e.g. USBrnTroubleshootrnReset This PCrnAdvanced OptionsrnStartup Repair Uninstall UpdatesrnStartup Settings UEFI Firmware SettingsrnCommand Prompt System RestorernDo not know what to do next...rn
WhiteBimmer said
OK, looked into ADVANCED STARTUP accessed via multiple power cycles...rnPreboot Performance Check (opened to Scan In Progress)rn
CRITICAL ERROR MESSAGErn
Version Build 4400.07 UEFI ROMrn
Service Tag 6R15F33rnError Code 2000-0142 (which is Hardrive Failed Self Test and recommended replacement of M.2, either 256GB OR 512GBrn
HD 10 S/N 20059F805325rnCONTINUErnPrepping Auto Repair - optionsrn
Continue Turn Off PCrnUse A Device e.g. USBrnTroubleshootrnReset This PCrnAdvanced OptionsrnStartup Repair Uninstall UpdatesrnStartup Settings UEFI Firmware SettingsrnCommand Prompt System RestorernDo not know what to do next...rn
Not sure why use of indents did not carry over to view?! I am in ADVANCED OPTIONS screen now...
Attached is a screen shot of the file tree extracted from the OEM M.2 which may help at some point?!
It is saying that the system encountered a critical error during the preboot performance check. The error code 2000-0142 indicates a hard drive failure, specifically a failed self-test on the M.2 drive.
In other words, the M.2 drive is kaput and needs replacing.
So, your only real option is to replace the old drive with the new drive and re-install Windows. That is, unless you have a system image backup stored somewhere?
Jim Hillier said
It is saying that the system encountered a critical error during the preboot performance check. The error code 2000-0142 indicates a hard drive failure, specifically a failed self-test on the M.2 drive.In other words, the M.2 drive is kaput and needs replacing.
So, you're only real option is to replace the old drive with the new drive and re-install Windows. That is, unless you have a system image backup stored somewhere?
Yeah, I gathered as much from the Dell Error Site! No System Image for the Win11 upgrade...only for the Win10 OEM. I am guessing nothing salvageable from the Win10 image. Oh, well....good time to clean house. Fortunately most of the 3rd-party installed apps are listed in the Programs folders.
FWIW, since I bought the long format replacement M.2 SSD and understand the M.2s generally get pretty hot, I also ordered a copper heatsink for the chip. Thoughts?
BTW, thanks for all the support, Jim.
I also ordered a copper heatsink for the chip. Thoughts?
It certainly can't hurt. It is somewhat unusual for an M.2 to fail completely, how old is the machine?
Let me know when you are ready to re-install and I'll walk you through it, it is generally a pretty simple process.
You are most welcome mate... happy to help.
Jim Hillier said
I also ordered a copper heatsink for the chip. Thoughts?It certainly can't hurt. It is somewhat unusual for an M.2 to fail completely, how old is the machine?
Machine is 5 years old so not sure why premature failure?! Nothing like be a trend setter! 🙁
Let me know when you are ready to re-install and I'll walk you through it, it is generally a pretty simple process.
Will be installing the new M.2 SSD today so good to go with clean install at your convenience.
You are most welcome mate... happy to help.
The process is very straightforward. To start off, connect the bootable USB drive and fire up the PC. As soon as the Dell logo appears start tapping the F12 key. A boot menu should appear where you can choose to boot from the USB drive.
This may have changed but not by much and the process should e very similar:
- Choose a language, time and currency format, and keyboard input (all relevant to your country of residence)
- Click the Install Now button
- When prompted to input a product key- click "I don't have a product key" (at the bottom of the window). Don't worry, it should pick up the product key from the original installation.
- If asked to select your Windows version make sure it matches the same version that was previously installed - e.g. Home for Home
- Accept the license terms
- Select Custom install
- Select the drive- where to install Win11. That will obviously be the new M.2 drive
- The installation process will now proceed
- At completion of the installation process the system will restart- at this point you can (should) remove the USB drive
- When the system reloads updates will be applied
- From there, it's just a matter of following the prompts
Here is a link to a video clip that explains the process in full (click "Watch on YouTube"):
You can skip the first part of the video and start watching at 5 minutes into the video.
Gooday, Jim.
Thanks for the step-by-step as well as the linked video for USB install which I have watched... and printed the transcript as a reference during the install.
Curious... Is there a "glossary" for the folder names of the files/data recovered with ReclaiMe app from the OEM M.2 SSD? DOCUMENTS and MUSIC are obvious but it would be nice to know which contain files/data (1MM files 200+GB) usable after A clean install which should be copied onto the new M.2 SSD.
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