AspirePEW72-Windows won't start saying"Windows Error Recovery. Windows failed to start. Loading file

Harper776

My nightmare began when I went to switch on the laptop as usual. Instead, up came the black screen with white writing on it. The white writing said "Windows Error Recovery. Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. If Windows files have been damaged or configured incorrectly, Startup Repair can help diagnose and fix the problem. If power was interrupted during startup, choose Start Windows Normally". As Startup Repair was automatically selected and on that 30 second countdown thing, I let it continue. A white bar went along the bottom of the black screen and with a message saying, "loading files".

What came up next wasn't the blue screen of death. Instead, there was this thing that looked like a screensaver. It had blue sky with vapor trials and a dove with a green leaf in its mouth. It was like this for over an hour and then I went to switching it off and on again - at the wall. Up came the black screen with white writing again and this time I selected Start Windows Normally. It flicked to the usual login page briefly before flicking back to the black screen. It kept doing this so tried the default option again and again the sky screensaver was on for ages. Tried switching the off on switch but nothing happened and so switched it off at wall and elected to get help.

I've looked at the forums and about holding the on-off button down for 5 seconds and pressing things like F2 and F10 - but I think this is a bit different.

It's an Acer Aspire from April 2011, model PEW 72.

Many thanks in advance!

[Edited the thread to add model name and issue detail to the title]

Joe_Kingsley

Hi @Harper776

Since the computer is stuck on the "Windows Error Recovery" screen, please try these steps to fix it:

Run Startup Repair
Restart your computer, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and then Startup Repair. Follow the prompts and choose an account.
Remove or replace hardware
If a piece of hardware is malfunctioning, you can try removing or replacing it.
Use System Restore
You can try restoring your system.
Use System Image Recovery
You can try recovering your system image.
Uninstall updates
You can try uninstalling any recent updates.
Use Command Prompt
You can try using Command Prompt.
Boot in Safe Mode
You can try booting your computer in Safe Mode.

You can also try disabling the Windows Error Recovery screen by following these steps:

1. Boot your computer.
2. Click Start and type CMD.
3. Right click on CMD and click Run as Administrator.
4. Type bcdedit /set bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures. 

Harper776

Thank-you very much for your reply! Long story short but I've only been able to try it in the last couple of days.

I've done the Run Startup Repair and Restart your computer but can't get to Troubleshooter. Instead it just keeps going in the boot loop.

Do you know how I could get out of the boot loop and onto Troubleshooter please?

Thanks again.

Joe_Kingsley

Hi @Harper776

Here are some ways to get out of a boot loop and into troubleshooting mode:

• Boot into advanced recovery modeGo to Settings, then Updates and Security, then Recovery, then Advanced Startup, and finally click Restart Now. 
• Boot into safe modeGo to the Start menu, then Settings, then Update and Security, then Recovery, then Advanced Startup, and finally click Restart Now. 
• Hold down the FN keyWhile powering on the computer, hold down the FN key and start tapping the Windows key. 
• Disconnect external devicesRemove all external devices and restart the computer. 
• Run pre-boot diagnosticsIf the computer turns on, access the diagnostics menu and run a system check. 

Other things you can try include: Checking disk health, Performing a clean boot, Restoring system files, and Updating BIOS/UEFI. 

This video can also help you learn how to fix a Windows boot loop:

Harper776

Thanks again! I'll give all this a try.

Harper776

Ok - so can't get past the black and white restart countdown screen.

I think the problem may be I'm on Windows 7 and not 10 or 11.

I tried Fn key and Windows key but still no joy.

Would a Windows update USB key help? In that I get one for Windows 10 or 11 from PC World and put it in as computer is switched on?

Thanks again!