How to fix "Preparing Automatic Repair" on Acer Travelmate P254 (win 10)?

Argent
Argent Member Posts: 5

Tinkerer

edited November 2023 in 2020 Archives
My laptop was doing windows update and wifi got disconnected and windows is corrupted.

When I turn my laptop ON, Acer logo shows for like 2 to 3 minutes then preparing automatic repair

pops up for few seconds and nothing happens, the screen doesn't go black but clear, it stays like this for hours.

I am only able to open its BIOS settings, I have tried to boot from USB but it didn't work. I am unable to get

it to safe mode or anything else. Any help would be much appreciated.

Answers

  • RanY2J
    RanY2J Member Posts: 599 Seasoned Specialist WiFi Icon
    Argent said:
    My laptop was doing windows update and wifi got disconnected and windows is corrupted.

    When I turn my laptop ON, Acer logo shows for like 2 to 3 minutes then preparing automatic repair

    pops up for few seconds and nothing happens, the screen doesn't go black but clear, it stays like this for hours.

    I am only able to open its BIOS settings, I have tried to boot from USB but it didn't work. I am unable to get

    it to safe mode or anything else. Any help would be much appreciated.


    Do a power drain but this sounds like the issue is related to your Operating System. So what happens when you boot from the USB? I mean does your USB show in the list of bootable devices? How about switching to a different port and fix the OS? You can also try an internal recovery but wait for it.
    BElieve in YOUrself.
  • Argent
    Argent Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    RanY2J said:
    Argent said:
    My laptop was doing windows update and wifi got disconnected and windows is corrupted.

    When I turn my laptop ON, Acer logo shows for like 2 to 3 minutes then preparing automatic repair

    pops up for few seconds and nothing happens, the screen doesn't go black but clear, it stays like this for hours.

    I am only able to open its BIOS settings, I have tried to boot from USB but it didn't work. I am unable to get

    it to safe mode or anything else. Any help would be much appreciated.


    Do a power drain but this sounds like the issue is related to your Operating System. So what happens when you boot from the USB? I mean does your USB show in the list of bootable devices? How about switching to a different port and fix the OS? You can also try an internal recovery but wait for it.

    I changed the boot order and hit save setting button, laptop boots and USB lights starts flashing but i don't see "Press Any Key to" text on my screen.. Computer goes to the same "Preparing Automatic Repair" and nothing else happens, i have waited for hours but screen remains the same. If i replace its hard drive with a new one, would it fix the problem?
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    I suggest that you try to re-set the machine to a factory fresh Windows state. Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds to completely shut off the machine. The turn the machine back on and immediately press the ALT key while tapping the F10 key till the recovery screen appears. Then follow directions. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Argent
    Argent Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    JackE said:
    I suggest that you try to re-set the machine to a factory fresh Windows state. Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds to completely shut off the machine. The turn the machine back on and immediately press the ALT key while tapping the F10 key till the recovery screen appears. Then follow directions. Jack E/NJ
    I have tried this method before, it didn't work for me. (Normally I see ACER logo on the screen when I turn my laptop ON but when I immediately hit Alt+F10 that logo disappears and computer shows nothing on screen, after few minutes same Preparing Automatic Repair appears).
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    @Argent   NO! You cannot wait for the ACER logo screen to appear. It's too late by then. You must press & hold the ALT key and tap F10 key ****INSTANTLY**** after pushing the power button. If you still don't get the recovery screen, then you must reboot and tap F2 to access the BIOS menu MAIN tab to enable D2D recovery. Then try the ALT+F10 reset again ***BEFORE*** the Acer logo appears. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Argent
    Argent Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    JackE said:
    @Argent   NO! You cannot wait for the ACER logo screen to appear. It's too late by then. You must press & hold the ALT key and tap F10 key ****INSTANTLY**** after pushing the power button. If you still don't get the recovery screen, then you must reboot and tap F2 to access the BIOS menu MAIN tab to enable D2D recovery. Then try the ALT+F10 reset again ***BEFORE*** the Acer logo appears. Jack E/NJ
    Hey, I have tried this method but sadly it didn't work, seems like replacing hard disk is the only option I have!
    Thanks for your help tho.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    Did you make sure the D2D option was enabled in the BIOS MAIN tab? If D2D is disabled by default, it won't work. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Argent
    Argent Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    JackE said:
    Did you make sure the D2D option was enabled in the BIOS MAIN tab? If D2D is disabled by default, it won't work. Jack E/NJ
    Yes, it was enabled already.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    Go back into the BIOS menu. Is the hard drive fully detected and described in the INFORMATION tab? Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • tiwari5485
    tiwari5485 Member Posts: 5

    Tinkerer

    I am having the same issue and nothing seems to be helping. 
  • FrankLee
    FrankLee Member Posts: 1 New User
    I have a days old Acer Swift 3 Laptop SF315-52G. After only a few Boot up/Shut downs it started to show when booting, "Preparing automatic repair", then, "Diagnosing your PC", then, "Attempting repairs". I have tried ALL the options - it even failed the final option to fully reset the computer. During this diagnostic/repair procedure it NEVER actually rebooted.
    'Tickets' from Acer store are the only support so far.

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,330 Trailblazer
    Immediately return it to the vendor as defective for an exchange or refund before the vendor's RMA policy expires. Warranty repair service will take longer. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ