Solved How to do a Repair install with inaccessible boot device issue


Custom install sounds a lot like a clean install, but it keeps my files...
I am not concerned about keeping my files

I have plenty of backups of my files.
I have recently made numerous local restored copies from my backups.
Retaining files is not my priority
Installing a new clean windows11, I have done that too

I currently have at least 2 copies, the original one, that just does not work at all
And a restore from about a week ago that still fails to boot, but the commands offered are not failing and looks more promising to fix. So I'll be trying that at the moment

I would like to keep the setup, configuration, applications etc all installed and in place
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11Pro 25H2 26200.6899
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 5950
    Motherboard
    ASRock B550
    Memory
    128GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX6900XT
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 4k
    Hard Drives
    M2 1TB, 500GB
    HDD 4TB, 3x2TB as storage
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Large case
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    G915
    Mouse
    G502
    Internet Speed
    1000/100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows builtin
    Other Info
    PC is contains parts upto 4 years old
    Backuped to iDrive
  • Operating System
    win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    unknown
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 1060
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TV
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Case
    mini
    Cooling
    water
    Keyboard
    remote
    Mouse
    remote
    Internet Speed
    fast
    Browser
    Edge
    Other Info
    I additionally have a laptop and some tiny brick PC both running win11
    Non windows I have 2 x chromeOS, RPI system and a remote server
Just a passing question. If you have so many backups of your FILES, have you not made any images of your SYSTEM. That be so, restore an image and keep on trucking. (as long as your drive is viable.)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Becuase I rarely shutdown the PC so it doesn't boot. It would seem the corruption is old and so the system backup images I have backuped are of the corrupted files.
Plus I recently changed from iDrive machine backup to iDrive mirror, so my system backup images are new and unfortunately corrupt.
Yes the restore technically does work, exactly as intended, it restored my unknowingly corrupted system.
Hardware is fine as Ive tested it and I've install a new windows install on it
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11Pro 25H2 26200.6899
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 5950
    Motherboard
    ASRock B550
    Memory
    128GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX6900XT
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 4k
    Hard Drives
    M2 1TB, 500GB
    HDD 4TB, 3x2TB as storage
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Large case
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    G915
    Mouse
    G502
    Internet Speed
    1000/100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows builtin
    Other Info
    PC is contains parts upto 4 years old
    Backuped to iDrive
  • Operating System
    win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    unknown
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 1060
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TV
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Case
    mini
    Cooling
    water
    Keyboard
    remote
    Mouse
    remote
    Internet Speed
    fast
    Browser
    Edge
    Other Info
    I additionally have a laptop and some tiny brick PC both running win11
    Non windows I have 2 x chromeOS, RPI system and a remote server
I realised I can run dism on the other widows install from within the new windows install.
However "Check the internet connectivity" ehhhhhh, I'm definitely online and internet is working

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> dism /image:D:\ /cleanup-image /restorehealth /scratchdir:D:\scratch

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.26100.5074

Image Version: 10.0.26100.6584

[==========================100.0%==========================]
Error: 0x800f0915

The repair content could not be found anywhere.
Check the internet connectivity or use the "Source" option to specify the location of the files that are required to restore the image. For more information on specifying a source location, see Configure a Windows Repair Source.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11Pro 25H2 26200.6899
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 5950
    Motherboard
    ASRock B550
    Memory
    128GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX6900XT
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 4k
    Hard Drives
    M2 1TB, 500GB
    HDD 4TB, 3x2TB as storage
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Large case
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    G915
    Mouse
    G502
    Internet Speed
    1000/100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows builtin
    Other Info
    PC is contains parts upto 4 years old
    Backuped to iDrive
  • Operating System
    win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    unknown
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 1060
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TV
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Case
    mini
    Cooling
    water
    Keyboard
    remote
    Mouse
    remote
    Internet Speed
    fast
    Browser
    Edge
    Other Info
    I additionally have a laptop and some tiny brick PC both running win11
    Non windows I have 2 x chromeOS, RPI system and a remote server
what is the build of the new windows install you are running the command from?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
26200.6899
The title of this thread is wrong
This thread title is not solvable because to do a repair I need to boot into windows and I cant do that
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11Pro 25H2 26200.6899
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 5950
    Motherboard
    ASRock B550
    Memory
    128GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX6900XT
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 4k
    Hard Drives
    M2 1TB, 500GB
    HDD 4TB, 3x2TB as storage
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Large case
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    G915
    Mouse
    G502
    Internet Speed
    1000/100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows builtin
    Other Info
    PC is contains parts upto 4 years old
    Backuped to iDrive
  • Operating System
    win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    unknown
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 1060
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TV
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Case
    mini
    Cooling
    water
    Keyboard
    remote
    Mouse
    remote
    Internet Speed
    fast
    Browser
    Edge
    Other Info
    I additionally have a laptop and some tiny brick PC both running win11
    Non windows I have 2 x chromeOS, RPI system and a remote server
to do a repair install you need to boot into windows.

to do a repair using restorehealth you do not need to boot into the sick windows. You need an appropriate repair source.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.26100.5074

Image Version: 10.0.26100.6584

[==========================100.0%==========================]
Error: 0x800f0915
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
According to MS

When specifying a source:


  • Only use RTM media regardless of whether the source is a WIM or a mounted Windows image. Refresh media has older file versions excluded from the media and the target operating system may need these files.
  • Make sure the source is patched to the latest Cumulative Update. If the target OS is patched to a higher level than the source, adding features or repairing Operating Systems may fail because the target OS needs updated files that are not present in the source.

Clear as mud. Maybe that means the ideal source is the RTM ( which might mean the first release of 24h2 ) patched to 16584

You could try using 10.0.26100.6584
en-us_windows_11_consumer_editions_version_24h2_updated_sep_2025_x64_dvd_6d1ad20d.iso
and hope there arent any older file versions in the sick windows that need to be repaired
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
Thanks to all for trying I've giving and will re-install everything
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11Pro 25H2 26200.6899
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD 5950
    Motherboard
    ASRock B550
    Memory
    128GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX6900XT
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 4k
    Hard Drives
    M2 1TB, 500GB
    HDD 4TB, 3x2TB as storage
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Large case
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    G915
    Mouse
    G502
    Internet Speed
    1000/100 Mbit/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows builtin
    Other Info
    PC is contains parts upto 4 years old
    Backuped to iDrive
  • Operating System
    win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    unknown
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia 1060
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TV
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    Case
    mini
    Cooling
    water
    Keyboard
    remote
    Mouse
    remote
    Internet Speed
    fast
    Browser
    Edge
    Other Info
    I additionally have a laptop and some tiny brick PC both running win11
    Non windows I have 2 x chromeOS, RPI system and a remote server
For the clean install:

Code:
 It is recommended to temporarily disconnect or disable all non OS hard drives until Windows installation has finished for the following reasons:
To avoid you mistakenly deleting or formatting the wrong disk or drive.
To prevent Windows Setup from installing the boot configuration files (bootloader) to a different connected hard drive instead of on the disk Windows will be installed on.






a) install drivers from the motherboard website
b) install applications in any order
c) Turn on Regback
d) Create a new restore point
e) Backup drivers as needed
f) Create new backup image




 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
Also after the clean install run Tuneup plus > post a share link






Turn off Windows fast startup if Windows was installed on a SSD:





Other preferences:

Decide whether you want to:

a) turn on /off bitlocker

b) turn on / off secure boot

c) use a local or Microsoft account
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
I also have an AMD CPU, an ASRock motherboard, and an AMD graphics card.

After installing Windows, go to:


Auto-Detect and Install Driver Updates for AMD Radeon™ Series Graphics and Ryzen™ Chipsets.

I haven’t installed any drivers from ASRock’s website.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E Taichi Lite
    Memory
    Kingston FURY Beast 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 9070 OC Edition 16GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    Solidigm P44 Pro 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 16"
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
    Memory
    64GB (2x 32GB) DDR5-6400
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 Laptop GPU
    Hard Drives
    2x 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD (SK Hynix)

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