Windows 8 Boot loop/Automatic Repair loop

Hi,

To assist you better I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions:

1)      What is the make and model of the computer?

2)      What is the complete error message?

3)      Are you able to boot to the desktop?

4)      Have you made any changes to the computer prior to the issue? 

It could due to the hardware or the software issue.

I would suggest you to perform the troubleshooting steps and check.

Method 1:  Turn off the automatically restart.

So that when the computer reboots it will show the error message, from the error message we will be able check what is causing the issue.

a)      Press Windows key + D on the keyboard.

b)      System window will pop up.

c)       On the left panel click on Advanced System Settings.

d)      Click on Advanced tab.

e)      Under the System and Recovery click on Settings button.

f)       Under “System failure” uncheck the box that says “Automatically restart”.

g)      Click on Ok.

h)      Click on Apply and Ok button.

Method 2: I would suggest you to try booting the computer in Safe mode with USB and check.

Follow these steps to boot the computer in safe mode.

Step 1: Safe Mode with USB

Let’s boot from the Windows 8 USB and login in Safe Mode.

a)      Boot from Windows 8 USB.

b)      After you see a Choose an Option, click on ‘Troubleshoot’.

c)       Now click on ‘Advanced Options’ and then on ‘Windows Startup Settings’.

d)      Use your arrow keys to go to ‘Safe Mode’ and hit Enter.

If you are able to boot into safe mode, try performing a clean boot.

Step 2: Perform Clean Boot.

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows 8 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Important: Reset the computer to start to normal startup.

Note: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to boot to normal startup.

a)      Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.

b)      In the ‘Run’ window type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.

c)       On the ‘General’ tab, click the ‘Normal Startup’ option, and then click ‘OK’.

d)      When you are prompted to restart the computer, click ‘Restart’.

Try performing a system restore using the bootable DVD or USB drive which you have created and check if you are able to boot into your computer.

System Restore uses restore points to return your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting personal files.

Method 3: I would suggest you to Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to run System Restore.

a)      Insert the Windows 8 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.

b)      Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from USB or DVD ….” appears.

c)       Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click ‘Next’.

d)      Click Repair your computer.

e)      In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click ‘Next’

f)       At the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on ‘System Restore’.

g)      Follow the System Restore Wizard instruction as usual and choose the appropriate restore point.

h)      Click ‘Finish’ to restore the system.

I would also suggest you to send us the minidump files so that it becomes easier to identify the reason behind this issue.

But, before moving to the steps on how to collect the minidump files, please make sure that minidumps are enabled on the computer.

You can follow the steps:

Step 1:

To ensure minidumps are enabled:

a)      Go to Start Screen, type 'sysdm.cpl' and press Enter.

b)      Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings button.

c)       Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.

d)      Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).

e)      Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as "%systemroot%\Minidump".

f)       Click on OK.

g)      Reboot the computer if changes have been made.

Step 2:

Please follow the steps to copy the contents of minidump files:

a)      Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.

b)      Zip up the copy.

c)       Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.

d)      Please upload them to a file sharing service like Skydrive and put a link to them in  your reply.

You can refer to the link to know how to send us the minidump files using Skydrive:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/4fc10639-02db-4665-993a-08d865088d65

If you need further assistance regarding Windows, please let us know we will be happy to help.

"RecEnv.exe - Application Error

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749546(v=WS.10).aspx

Apparently that is a clue that you are booting Win/PE.   Supposedly Win/PE has a command environment which can be entered by pressing Shift-F10.   Then that might accomplish the same thing as booting with Advanced Options to Command Only Mode, where presumably you could do other things than watch the Recovery Environment fail.

Do you have anything else that is bootable?

Do you have access to another W8 which is working?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html