Pavilion 15T Laptop will not boot normally - "Preparing Automatic Repair" loop

[GailPe]

The computer failed to boot into Windows normally a couple of days ago, and showed the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen without advancing to repair.  It will then go to a blue screen saying "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" with a Stop Code of "Inaccessible Boot Drive."  It then loops back into the automatic repair screen.

I have booted into the UEFI interface several times and run diagnostics.  The System Fast Test, Memory Fast Test, Hard Drive Short DST Test, Hard Drive Optimized Test and Hard Drive Long Test were all passed, but I can't get the computer to boot normally.  I have photos of the relevant screens to confirm this.

I have also tried a "hard reset" by holding the power button for more than 15 seconds, and have removed and replaced the battery.  These did not help.

The computer is out of warranty, but is only 16 months old.

Please advise.  Thanks.

Gail

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Gail:

If you don't have any files that must be saved, try the factory reset option.

Since you can't get into windows restart the PC, tap the ESC key to get the options menu, and then select the F11 recovery option.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04758961

If that fails to work, you can see if you can clean install W10 by using the Media Creation tool at the link below.

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

The tool will give you the option of making a bootable W10 USB installation flash drive, or save an ISO file which you can burn to a DVD by using your DVD burning program's burn ISO file option.

The software will work with the W10 product key in the PC's BIOS, and will automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

Then you can install the drivers and available software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-15-au100-Notebook-PC/12499208/model/13386593

[GailPe]

Paul,

Thanks so much.  I tried the solution involving the media creation tool on a USB drive and it worked perfectly.

Really appreciate you advice!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.