Windows 10 inaccessible boot device

A reinstall is what most likely need to do.

Go to a working computer, download, create a bootable copy, then perform a clean install.

Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Step 2: How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

If there are files on the drive you want to recover, see - How to: Perform a Custom install of Windows 10
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

Hi Bob

This can be a number of things but from past experience I have found it usually the hard drive acting up.
Things you can try is right click your start button and select Run.
Type the following - perfmon /report
This will generate a report to see if there are any issues.

Also most BIOS have a hardware test that you can run also.
Do a google search for your hardware model and BIOS to see how to get to the BIOS for example...
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-enter...

If it is not a hardware issue then yes I would recommend resetting your PC.
Here is a great link that goes through the steps.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4130-reset-...

Be careful which reset you choose cause one will wipe your apps and files.

Sarah

Hi Bob. I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

I would uninstall Norton 360 which no expert has ever recommended and use built-in Defender which always offers best Windows performance with least issues, and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best.

Some fixes for that error are here: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/inaccessible-boot.... **Avoid the links which intrude into editorial content as they are advertising only.

I would run a Startup Repair to check over the boot files: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/star...
More advanced steps to rebuild the BCD are here: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ht/...

Make sure your drivers are all Updated from the PC or device Support Downloads webpage, including BIOS, chipset, display, network, sound and all others - comparing to the ones installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

Remove any hardware peripherals, uninstall any recently installed programs to test.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Hi Bob, I am Rob, a volunteer and a 10 time and dual award MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as volunteers we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers.

This can be a very complex problem to fix and might be a hardware problem. However, if you will work with me I will be here until the problem is resolved.

INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error in Windows 10 <-- please read this
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/inaccessible-boot...

Check the BIOS - StartUp/CMOS to be sure the hard drive is selected to boot first. Check the hard drive and cabling (power and data).

If it is OK then set to boot to the CD/DVD and use a Windows 10 boot disk which you can make on any Windows Computer - use the Media Creation Tool to make a Windows Disk.

Windows Media Creation Tool <-- make a disk with your same version of Windows
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

Boot with an Installation or Repair disc or USB drive - issue these from the Command Prompt and hit ENTER after each (there is a space between the c and / for each one).

C:

Chkdsk /f /r

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

After the above you may need to run StartUp Repair (even 2 or 3 times)
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/27649-startu...

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Using EasyBCD often works when other methods do not. <-- if Bootrec did not help use this.

Translate the Windows 8/8.1 methods to Windows 10.

Fixing the Windows Bootloader via the setup DVD (7, 8, & 8.1)
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recoverin...

Recovering the Windows Bootloader (Vista, Windows 7, 8, & 8.1)
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recoverin...

Fixing the Windows Bootloader via the setup DVD (Vista, Windows 7, 8, &8.1)
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Repairing...

After the above you may need to run StartUp Repair (even 2 or 3 times)
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/27649-startu...

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Troubleshoot blue screen errors
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/t...

We can analyze the minidumps if you make them available from the OneDrive or other file sharing sites (such as MediaFire). If you have problems uploading the minidumps copy them to the Desktop or the Documents folder and upload them from there.

Adding files to your OneDrive
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/ge...

Upload photos and files
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/add...

One-Drive - Share files and folders and change permissions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/sha...

Zip or upload the contents of C:\Windows\minidump

Use OneDrive to upload collected files
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-U...

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This error is usually a driver issue and display adapter (video) driver is the most suspect though it could be others. Antivirus/antispyware/security programs, hardware (heat) and major software issues can also cause the error. When you get to the driver section of the troubleshooter use my generic methods below and then return to the troubleshooter if needed.

Have you added hardware recently or updated drivers? Be sure to look in Windows Updates to see if any drivers were updated there. Other lessor possibilities include antivirus/anti-spyware/security programs.

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This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

Run DriverView - set VIEW to Hide Microsoft drivers - update those without Dump in their names (and update BIOS and chipset).

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver, description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current. Right Click the Start Button - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdate Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset, and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after each installation.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht...

====================================================

Memory tests do not catch all errors such as mismatched memory (possible even for sticks that appear to be identical) and when faster memory is placed in system behind slower memory. So it is best to also swap sticks in and out to check for those even if all memory tests fail to show a problem.

To test RAM check here - let it run 4+ hours or so. <-- best method
www.memtest.org

MemTestX86 - Test RAM With
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/14201-memtes...

For the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

Type in Cortana's search box -> Windows Memory Diagnostics
at top of list - click it. in Windows 8/8.1/10 the name is "Windows Memory
Diagnostic".

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After doing ALL the updates you can, and if the issue continues, then run
DriverVerifier. (Remember to use the Windows 10 methods posted at the
top of the original reply above.)

Driver Verifier can help find some BSOD issues :

Using Driver Verifier to identify issues with Windows drivers for advanced users
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

How To Troubleshoot Driver Problems in Windows Vista or 7. (8/8.1 and 10 are essentially the same).
http://www.winvistaclub.com/t79.html

Using Driver Verifier
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff554113(v=VS.85).aspx

How to use Windows Driver Verifier Manager to Troubleshoot & Identify Driver Issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VwIDD9xngM

Driver Verifier
http://www.techsupportforum.com/2110308-post3.html

Using Driver Verifier
http://www.faultwire.com/solutions/using_driver...

You can disable Driver Verifier
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617

WINKEY + X - RUN - type in -> verifier /reset hit enter to disable

If DriverVerifier creates a minidump upload it and post the link here so we can analyze it.

Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance.

The following steps outline the steps to fix Windows failing to boot and you can boot to the advanced startup options.
http://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2017/05/fix-win...
Perform the steps one by one.

Does your computer have an ASUS motherboard?

Information from a reliable source at Microsoft :

"If this is an x299-based Asus motherboard, this is a known issue with Windows 10 1709. The root cause is a problem in the device firmware, triggered by a (slight) increase in the boot image size for 1709. Because of some memory fragmentation (firmware-related), there are no low-memory buffers left for the UEFI-based bootcode to use, so it ends up using high-memory buffers, which triggers a bluescreen due to the true firmware issue.

We think that Asus can fix this with a firmware update. In the meantime, we are also working on some fixes to work around this. This fix is expected in the 1D update, due on 1/23, and requires an update to both the boot image and the OS image. With dynamic update, it should be pulled down automatically."

I have the Z9PA-D8 ASUS motherboard.  Is that affected?

I don't think so since it is a "Z" series and not an "X" however you should check with ASUS Support to be sure.

ASUS - Service <-- includes Live Chat
http://www.service.asus.com/

ASUStek Support
http://support.asus.com/

ASUStek Forums
http://vip.asus.com/forum/default.aspx?SLanguag...

ASUStek Drivers
http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?...

Any luck with your issue? Did ASUS respond with anything helpful? Please let me know so I can help others.

no. no luck,  I updated drivers but that didn't help.  Doing a little more research and then I'll probably bite the bullet and reinstall windows 10