Aspire A315-23 doesn't boot: critical process died. Is there anything else I could try?

Hello,

I've been using this laptop for 2 years and never had any issues, until a Windows 11 update in July (ventilator is far noisier since). Don't recall the initial error, but followed OS advice to do a System Restore to the previous version. That took about 4 hours and initially everything seemed ok, but after the computer was shut down, it keeps crashing on a bluescreen with "critical proces died".

Startup Repair says it can't repair the computer.

Advanced Startup features incl. Safe Mode always end in "critical proces died".

Delete Updates also says it can't and proposes to do a System Restore.

System Restore: 3 lines available - for all 3, I can't select C:\, therefor can't click on the Next button to continue.

Restore PC (incl. delete files and settings) merely says that there is a problem.

Tried to boot from USB: "System doens't have any USB boot option. Please select other boot option in Boot Manager Menu." Boot Manager only shows "1. Windows Boot Menu". I don't see how I could select or add another option here.

BIOS:

- tried disabling Fast Boot

- supervisor password has been set

- Boot Mode = UEFI (can't be modified)

- tried disabling Secure Boot

I'm getting desperate. Is there anything else I could try?
Thanks in advance

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Puraw

Hi kstynen,

Thanks for the detailed post. Your Acer A315-23 is a 2020 AMD-based laptop, originally designed for Windows 10, and the BIOS reflects that. If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11 24H2, the update process itself can trigger Embedded Controller (EC) conflicts, especially around power management and driver handoff.

The symptoms you’re seeing—BSODs, failed restores, blocked USB boot—are consistent with 24H2’s stricter driver model. This version enforces newer standards that aren’t fully compatible with your system’s firmware.