Solved Diagnosing a windows that won't start up

AshForeth · Apr 7, 2025

So on a new Asus ProArt P16, I suddenly; get a bitlocker prompt for the recovery key saying that it's a TPM error. I entered it and it rebooted and prompted me again. After the third time, it went into recovery mode. I tried running SFC /Scannow. It complain that there were corrupted file, When the file is repair and I restart, it tells me that the files are corrupted again.

I am able to access safe mode with network and log in, which implies that it's not a bitlocker issue. The vent log seems to have a lot of system error in the event log that seems to indicate corrupted file. I tried using dism to fix the issues, but it said it can't find the source file even though I am connected to the internet and can browse sites. I also tried System Restore, but so far the restore fails. The restore indicate that there was some sort of update on 4/7.

What do you think happened. I am thinking a driver issue since the computer runs in Safe mode. What other step would you do?

I am thinking of restoring it from backup next, I was hoping not to do that since this means some lost work.

Is it me or the update has been somewhat hazardous to install of late.

antspants · Apr 8, 2025

Is this happening immediately at boot?

I can’t say I’ve experienced this before but if I did I think the first thing i’d do would be to reset the BIOS to defaults.
Reboot
Failing that: Disable secure boot.
Failing that, i’d go with your option of reloading a prior image. Pain in the arse about the files not yet backed up though.

I’m sure others also have options.

antspants · Apr 8, 2025

Had you read any of this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/1g30zg9/asus_proart_p16_tpm_issue

antspants · Apr 8, 2025

Last thing. Looking through Google, in relation to TPM issues, apparently a recent BIOS update (perhaps from March?) is possibly imperative.

Comments are that you need to ensure that you have the “exact” model of your ProArt P16 for the correct BIOS update.

glasskuter · Apr 8, 2025

AshForeth said:
So on a new Asus ProArt P16,

On the other hand, you might consider contacting Asus support. I'd hate to see there be any reason that your actions might void the warranty. JMO.

XxXxX · Apr 8, 2025

is this of help. bit locker recovery key in case of failed boot.

The latest Windows update has some users trapped in BitLocker recovery — here's how to fix it

Oof, another Windows update may break your computer

www.laptopmag.com

best of luck, Steve ..

eternalsumbo · Apr 8, 2025

I agree, it’s probably a driver or BIOS issue since it works fine in Safe Mode. Definitely check if your BIOS is up to date — there’s been a few reports that recent updates are causing issues like this, and you might need a specific update for your ProArt P16.

Also, reset the BIOS to defaults or turn off Secure Boot to see if that helps. If all else fails, you might need to bite the bullet and restore from backup, but try those steps first if you want to avoid that hassle.

antspants · Apr 8, 2025

Seriously.

Scannerman · Apr 8, 2025

XxXxX said:
is this of help. bit locker recovery key in case of failed boot.

The latest Windows update has some users trapped in BitLocker recovery — here's how to fix it

Oof, another Windows update may break your computer

www.laptopmag.com

best of luck, Steve ..

CSM, Secure Boot, and TPM . . . The trinity of perpetual PITAs.

AshForeth · Apr 8, 2025

Thank you everyone for the help.

I don't think I have updated the bios. Do Bios automatically update these days. I check the bios version and it appears to be the latest. The bios said the version is 316 which is what's on the ASUS website.

Let me ask this then. Let's say the TPM fails. Does this mean I can get in using the recovery key but will need to enter it each time? How would that cause corruption in the system files? Currently, I can get into safe mode, does this mean my drive is unencrypted? I no longer get a prompt for recovery key. Instead I get a prompt that the disk needs repair, automatic repair fails and then go to the the recovery screen.

The windows 11 have been a pain to deal with. I don't know if this is due to the security feature or just windows 11.

Scannerman · Apr 8, 2025

AshForeth said:
Thank you everyone for the help.

I don't think I have updated the bios. Do Bios automatically update these days. I check the bios version and it appears to be the latest. The bios said the version is 316 which is what's on the ASUS website.

Let me ask this then. Let's say the TPM fails. Does this mean I can get in using the recovery key but will need to enter it each time? How would that cause corruption in the system files? Currently, I can get into safe mode, does this mean my drive is unencrypted? I no longer get a prompt for recovery key. Instead I get a prompt that the disk needs repair, automatic repair fails and then go to the the recovery screen.

The windows 11 have been a pain to deal with. I don't know if this is due to the security feature or just windows 11.

Much of what has already been posted on this thread answers your questions. Alas, the answers are general. I can only say that from personal experience if TPM fails you might not always get your key back. Some have said that this is a good reason physically write them down. Personally, I have never bothered. Personally, I greatly dislike TPM for many reasons for which I will spare the reader this time (I can almost already hear people applauding already). If you're using 24H2 then you almost certainly have an encrypted OS on your system drive unless you took active steps to decrypt it and that takes time.

I wonder if you have used all of the DISM commands. "SFC /SCANNOW" only does the bare butt minimum. Try all these:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once you've run those try this:

DISM.exe /image:c:\offline /cleanup-image /restorehealth

If none of this fixes your problem you will likely have to restore your PC to an earlier time using a back up as you have already stated that System Restore won't help. You may even have to completely reset the OS if you cannot repair it from a back up.

Scannerman · Apr 8, 2025

antspants said:
Had you read any of this?

https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/1g30zg9/asus_proart_p16_tpm_issue

Mercy me! It looks like good ole Bitlocker (may as well be ransomware) has done it again. Good thing I don't use it.

If it were me and it was my lap top I would roll the BIOS back to 313. But that's only if it were me. Anyone else is free to risk it if they like at their own loss or gain. I promise nothing — especially where Bitlocker is involved.

AshForeth · Apr 8, 2025

OK, I am having problems creating the restore usb drive. I suspect this will take a while.

Scannerman · Apr 8, 2025

AshForeth said:
OK, I am having problems creating the restore usb drive. I suspect this will take a while.

Two questions:

1) Did you flash back your BIOS to ver. 313?
2) Is there anything preventing you from re-installing Windows 11?

Scannerman · Apr 8, 2025

glasskuter said:
On the other hand, you might consider contacting Asus support. I'd hate to see there be any reason that your actions might void the warranty. JMO.

This is making more sense every step of the way here.

AshForeth · Apr 8, 2025

I hate calling tech support. It's usually a tier 1 person asking me to do stuff I already done, but I will probably call them eventually.

So I have started the restore from yesterday's backup, which will take a while since there's 2 Tb of data. This wasn't fun though, I generated a restore USB drive, but the current version didn't work so I had to go back to the previous version, which didn't work with the network card, so I had to install a different one. After the restore, I will see if I can login and examine the TPM state in windows, which should diagnose whether TPM was the issue and not some other issue. I looked in the BIOS and can't find a TPM option. This may or may not be normal.

XxXxX · Apr 8, 2025

boot in to the BIOS from there you re-set the TPM to system defaults.
then restart to see if there are any changes.

best of luck, Steve ..

AshForeth · Apr 8, 2025

The restore is successful but now I get the same automatic repair on start up. I don't see tpm option in the bios, so perhaps there is an issue with the tpm.

AshForeth · Apr 8, 2025

Ok, the issue is about BIOS after all. After the restore, the same issue remains, so I decided to go into the bios and refresh the BIOS, I flashed it with the same version as before. After flashing, it works fine, but I have no idea what happen? The BIOS is apparently from Feb, so I can't imagine it just not working 2 months later?

Berton · Apr 8, 2025

AshForeth said:
Ok, the issue is about BIOS after all. After the restore, the same issue remains, so I decided to go into the bios and refresh the BIOS, I flashed it with the same version as before. After flashing, it works fine, but I have no idea what happen? The BIOS is apparently from Feb, so I can't imagine it just not working 2 months later?

Flashing the BIOS or maybe updating firmware writes to the CMOS [Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor] on the motherboard and there can be updates on each Patch Tuesday or whenever the Builder or Windows determines. My Dells have done it several times since getting them in the last few months.

I have set up 3 new Home machines just this year and they all required the Microsoft Account and automatically activated Bitlocker but did not suggest nor ask for a key. The first login on all 3 wanted only an E-Mail Address and a PIN, no password asked for to log into Win11.

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