Article Number: 000178929
Try these quick steps to recover your computer from a boot problem.
Not Applicable
The incomplete/faulty installation of Microsoft Windows Updates can cause the Windows 8 or 8.1 operating system to crash.
On reboot, it is common to see symptoms such as No Boot, Stuck at the Dell logo splash screen, stuck at the Boot Options splash screen or error messages such as Boot List Missing in the BIOS after the operating system crashes in Windows 8 and 8.1.
The worst-case scenario is that this corrupts the Boot Information Table in the BIOS resulting in a No-Boot situation.
The first step is to identify how badly your system is affected?
Follow the appropriate method below:
Can you boot to the desktop or get to Safe Mode?
How to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 8 on your Dell PC
If you can boot, or enter Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, then perform the following steps:
Go to the Menu Bar on the right side of the screen or Press the <win logo+X> keys together to bring up a power user menu and click on the search.
Try installing the update again. If this does not resolve your issue, then we must troubleshoot further.
Go to Control Panel/System and Security/Windows Update and on the left panel select View Update History
This gives you the latest updates KB number. With the KB number, you can search for a specific resolution online or you can disable that particular update and reboot.
If that does not work, then you can have a choice of Refresh or Reset from inside the Windows 8 operating system.
Refresh is a heavy-duty cleaning of your computer. It leaves your data intact, but it removes programs installed in the classic desktop. You can keep any Metro programs that you have installed from the Windows Store. Personal settings are kept. Personal computer Settings set back to defaults.
Reset is like a factory reset. It brings your computer back to the way that it was when you received it when it was new. All the programs have to be reinstalled and all your data is gone. You must backup any data that you do not want to lose before doing this. You can either remove the files, or you can remove the files and scrub the hard drive. Fully cleaning the drive is more of a security step than a troubleshooting or repair one.
If you cannot get into the operating system at all, then try method II.
Can you enter the Start-Up Options screen?
Using the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 on a Dell PC
If you can enter the options screen, then perform the following steps:
Select Troubleshoot
This gives you the choice of Refresh, Reset, or Advanced Options
Refresh is a heavy-duty cleaning of your computer. It leaves your data intact, but it removes programs installed in the classic desktop. You can keep any Metro programs that you have installed from the Windows Store. Personal settings are kept. Personal computer Settings set back to defaults.
Reset is like a factory reset. It brings your computer back to the way that it was when you received it when it was new. All the programs have to be reinstalled and all your data is gone. You must backup any data that you do not want to lose before doing this. You can either remove the files, or you can remove the files and scrub the hard drive. Fully cleaning the drive is more of a security step than a troubleshooting or repair one.
This takes you through some other options, such as restoring a system image, if you have one prepared
If you cannot get past the BIOS, then try Method III.
If your issue is at the BIOS level, then follow the example in the next section of the article.
Ensure that the Windows 8 operating system Media is inserted or the Windows 8 USB drive is plugged in before entering BIOS.
Press F2 at the Dell Logo to enter BIOS or System Setup and click Advanced
Set SATA Mode to AHCI
On the 'Boot' tab set 'Boot List Mode' to UEFI
Set Secure Boot to Disabled
Click the Add Boot option and follow the instructions as mentioned below:
Navigate to the Boot Options Screen (as shown in the image above).
Press Tab to move the cursor to the next line.
The 'File System List' will automatically be selected depending on the Windows 8 Boot Media used.
Press Tab to go to the next line.
Add EFI Directory and then Boot Folder (as shown in the image above)
Select BOOTX64.EFI start-up file and Confirm Changes
Once completed, you have the boot option created in the UEFI Boot Screen in BIOS
Save the changes and exit the BIOS
At the Dell logo press F12 and, select the Boot option
Now you would see the Win 8 Installation Screen asking for Language Selection, Click Next
Click Repair below Install
Select Troubleshoot
Click Refresh or Reset
After the Reset or Refresh Option, you will see the initial Out of Box Setup Screen and then Back on to the Windows 8 Desktop
You must update the BIOS to the latest version available in the Dell Drivers & downloads website. As per the laptop model, select the hyperlink for BIOS Update below.
Once the BIOS Update is complete, the system would boot to the Win 8 Metro UI screen
Open the Control Panel, select Programs and then Installed Updates. Check if MS KB QFE 2756872 is installed:
If the above QFE is not found, install it from the link below.
Download MS KB QFE 2756872
Choose the 64-bit Version (162.8MB).
The system restarts automatically multiple times during installation, avoid pressing any keys.
Once the installation is complete, the system returns to the Windows 8 Metro UI screen.
If the information above has not resolved your issue, then you may want to check out the articles listed below:
Are you sure it is an update issue? If not check the links below for further articles on issues that stop your system from starting up:
Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations
05 Dec 2023
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