Stuck on "attempting repairs" on startup. The system fails to boot.

[Spotkeeper]

The system fails to boot and appears to be stuck while "attempting repairs" message is displayed. All HP suggestions/directions re recovery, BIOS reset, et, to no avail. System test (long) says all is ok. SYSTEM (E) Passed.

[CF4]

Hi

A Boot failure suggests a failing Hard Disk or a lost/corrupted boot area.

Either way, I suggest you backup your Data, Create an OS Recovery Media and do a Full Diagnostic Test.

If you have done the above, then consider an F11 Factory Fresh install or a Windows Repair Disk utilising the Microsoft Creator Tool from here...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If in doubt please ask.

[erico]

You can boot to the recovery media that you should have created by this time to access Windows system restore.

As an alternative, you can access system restore with a USB bootable Windows 10 installer to accomplish the same thing.

I had the same experience on this desktop, last week. It was caused by a Windows update that failed to install properly. 

Be very specific in listing each suggestion you have tried.

A blanket statement like you made would lead one to believe your OS is not fixable. 

I do not give up that easily.

[Spotkeeper]

Sadly no recovery media was created. Even more sadly the system restore started off at a good gallop but then terminated citing a missing directory file or some such. The hp site we are directed to to download a new bios says that it does not exist for the stated opsys, version and hardware combination. Shades of Joseph Heller.

[erico]

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@Spotkeeper wrote:
Sadly no recovery media was created. Even more sadly the system restore started off at a good gallop but then terminated citing a missing directory file or some such. The hp site we are directed to to download a new bios says that it does not exist for the stated opsys, version and hardware combination. Shades of Joseph Heller.

---

There are usually more than a single restore point. Use an earlier one.

You still have not identified your notebook completely.

If you press the power button and immediately start tapping the ESc key, you can invoke the startup menu.

In the startup menu, you can press the F1 key to see a screen that will provide you with the product number of your notebook.

[Spotkeeper]

Afaik there was only one restore point. Laptop id follows:
Notebook Model: HP Pavilion 15bNotebook PC
Product Number: L2W56EA#SBU
Serial Number: [edit]
 

[CF4]

OK

You have a HP Pavilion Notebook - 15-p246sa (ENERGY STAR), and either W8.x or W10 I assume.

So maybe try an F11?

OR

Make a repair media.

OR

Buy one from HP?

A little more info and interaction is what is required.

[Spotkeeper]

Thanks so much for your patience. We are doing an f11. User data is bsckef up (thankfully i hsd s 32gb stick to hand). Thr little darling is now engaged in a systems recovery back to factory settings. We shall keep you posted.

[CF4]

Prego.