Preparations to make before Your PC Crashes,
and what to do if it does

Patrick Reany

11 February 2024

Note: Most of the technical advice I present here is geared towards Windows PCs.

Disclamer: If you follow any of the technical advice given in this article, you do so
at your own risk. The techniques displayed here are not difficult to do, but any
time you use disk tools on your harddrive, you risk something going wrong. If
you are not comfortable making these operations yourself, but you feel it worthwhile
to prevent your PC from crashing, you should find somebody who is and will do them
for you.

Lastly, technology constantly changes. The advice provided on this page is designed
primarily for Windows 10/11 PCs on which the OS resides on a standard harddrive.
And on certain modern PCs, such as those running Secure Boot, one may have problems
even being able to boot off of a USB drive when trying to fix the machine. But that
topic is beyond the scope of this article.

Not all PC crashes are the same. The following are the most common causes of crashes.

The most common is that the file system is corrupted or some hardware component
goes bad, such as the storage media or memory component goes bad.

(These aren't the only reasons, but they are the main ones. Defective peripheral devices
or faulty drivers can also do it. For that matter, a buggy update on the OS can also cause
problems, requiring one to take the system back to an earlier version that worked.)

We'll be going over some of the tools that come with Windows that we can use to keep the
computer system in good health to prevent the computer from crashing by using
them before it does; some of them can be used to fix a crash after it happens.
All I can say is that for myself, I think it's worth the time and effort to learn
how to use these tools and to make the repair USB disks that you'll need in some
circumstances.

Note: I will be referencing only two YouTube creators for this article. I'm doing this
only to be minimal. There are many other good YouTube creators you can consult on
this topic.

There are a number of USB tools to make to use when things go wrong. If, for some reason,
your PC won't boot off its internal boot drive, you can boot off of one of these disk
utilities to examine the drive to look for hardware, software, or malware problems. I
won't cover the malware aspect in this article.

An important USB tool is to have the capacity, after booting off of it, to replace the
operating system. This will be 'demonstrated' for Windows 10. This will not copy over your
files or applications. To be able to do that, you need to perform a 'system image', as it's
called. Now, I tried to do this for Windows 11 and it failed. I found out that the reason it
failed was because the OS will not let us make a system image onto a USB disk, though
it will not inform one of this outright. Instead, we get some arcane error message. I did
learn, however, that the system image for that Windows 11 PC would have required 74 GB
free space. I had a 128 GB USB drive, but it still would not proceed to make the image.
So, I have for the moment given up on making a system image for my PCs. However, it has
been reported that the system will let us do it, if it is done over onto network drive. (A
network drive is a drive that has to be accessed over a network. I haven't verified this, though.)

You've probably heard someone at some time tell you that your PC will eventually
crash. That would have probably been followed by some advice on how to prepare for
this event to protect your personal files and data on the computer. The first bit of advice I can
give is common sensical and nontechnical: Routinely make backups of your important
files, be they text documents, graphics, Excel or other Microsoft Office files, etc.

If your harddrive crashes, you may be able to find your data unharmed, right where you
left them. But if the crash occurs where the data is, that data may be unretreivable.
There is also the problem we have of losing or ruining our own data. Did you forget
where you stored that legal document? You should have had a backup of it. Finally,
one of my own worst enemies for maintaining file integrity has been myself. Long ago
I learned to save my ongoing file updates, such as Word files, computer program files,
TeX files, graphics files, and so forth, either by using a new file name or by duplicating
the entire folder the file is in. To the folder I update the date on the folder as part of
its name. For individual files, I update its number, For example, when I update my file
Tristan(78), I would save it as Tristan(79). Trust me, you won't run out of numbers
doing this.

What else do I do:

  1. I routinely save files to a USB disk and then to another computer.
  2. About monthly, I back up all my newest files to CDRs (a readable CD).
  3. I do not have a backup off-site, but I would do so if I could.
  4. I do save some files on the Cloud, but I don't trust this very much.
Note: A CDR is a CD that can be written to, but not rewritten thereafter.
In short, file redundancy is your friend. However, the modern trend is to get
away from installing CD-ROM drives into newer PCs. Fortunately, I have older PCs
right now. A CD is easy to label both contents and date and then to store it on
a CD spool for archiving.

There are a number of ways your PC can crash.

Note: An SSD is a Solid State Drive. When I queried the Internet whether it is
safe to run chkdsk on a SSD drive, I was told, Probably, but maybe not.

I will present two YouTube creators whom, in particular, I trust for their technical
advice, though there are many others who also give good advice about maintaining
your PCs, and perhaps you could check them out as well. Let's begin with

1) CyberCPU Tech: Easily fix broken Windows files now with System File Checker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxCueZ2dVQ

What I have done here is to make some convenient notes to this video. Sometimes,
all it takes to fix the computer is to reboot it. But most of this article is to suggest
what you should do before your computer crashes in case a mere reboot won't solve
the problem.

==

Windows tools for fixing your harddrive:

sfc /scannow and DISM

Quick notes from CyberCPU Tech:

Easily fix broken Windows files now with System File Checker

Fixing system files is usually a 2-step process:
1) run DISM to correct any broken system files in the system 'cache'
2) run sfc /scannow

'sfc /scannow' will look to the system cache to find the files needed
to replace
the current system files in use.

Some options for DISM:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /Checkhealth

or for a deeper check,

DISM /online /cleanup-image /Scanhealth

If this ends by indicating corruption, then run the command

DISM /online /cleanup-image /Restorehealth

which should correct the errors.

If errors still persist, download the file Windows 10/11 disk image to make an ISO
file and then run it. Get the correct image file for your version of Windows, either
Windows 10 or Windows 11. You down load to your harddrive or you can download it
to a USB drive. (I downloaded to a USB drive, one for each OS, as I have PCs that run
both systems. I have these stored in a plastic container so that I don't lose them.)
Consult the video for further instructions.

Go into the virtual drive that has been set up on the fly and find the file

ESD-ISO/sources/install.esd

or

ESD-ISO/sources/install.wim

Then go into a shell (cmd.exe), as an administrator, and enter

DISM /online /cleanup-image /Restorehealth /source:e:\ESD-ISO\sources\install.esd

The video says to use drive d: but on my PC it was install on virtual drive e;.
Therefore, this is a bit tricky. You have to get it right about the letter name
of the virtual drive the folder was installed on!

However, to run this command without going to the Internet for files (i.e., to use
Windows Update), add the switch \LimitAccess, making the whole command to be

DISM /online /cleanup-image /Restorehealth /source:e:\ESD-ISO\sources\install.esd \LimitAccess

At this point you can run sfc /scannow to do a scan.

The following is a review of the major built-in Windows commands to use to repair your system:

To use chkdsk through Explorer, go to the drive in question, starting at This PC. Click
once on it to view the listed drives. It should show at least drive C; and this is likely
the drive that your operating sysztem is installed on. Open the properties on the drive icon
you wish to scan by right-clicking on it and select the Properties option. Then go to the
tools tab. Click on the Check button.

In real life, after I ran the command 'sfc /scannow', in time, the system reported finding
corrupted files and fixing them. A reboot at this point should be done.

You might also use as a reference:

ThioJoe: Ultimate Guide to Fix Almost ANY Windows Corruption (Without Reinstalling)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yidWdy-Xwdk

Get the right version for your OS, then follow the instructions on the video. These file
checkers should be run periodically to prevent serious problems.

ThioJoe tells us that if your user profile is corrupted, you have to check this by loggin
in on a different account, and see if the problem persists. If the problem is restricted
to a single profile, just create a new profile to use. The old profile can be deleted at
one's convenience.

ThioJoe explains how to fix system files by downloading the Windows ISO file, but I will not
go into this here, as it is a bit advanced.

Now for the last video we will consult another video by ThioJoe:

ThioJoe: 4 USB Boot Drives EVERYONE Should Make! (Before It's Too Late)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZW0x7J190

1) Hiren download tools

https://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

Will run in a Windows Pre-Installation Environment (PE)

Download the Hiren's installer file and then download an installer program such
as Rufus and use it to install the Hiren's tools to a USB drive. This disk utility
has tools to help repair a faulty PC.

Now we need to make Windows Repair/Recovery/Setup drives, which are three different
things. The Recovery drive allows one to reinstall Windows, which the Repair drive does not.

According to Copilot (11 February 2024):

Both a Windows Repair Drive and a Windows Recovery Drive are bootable tools that can
help you troubleshoot Windows startup issues. However, they have a few differences:

System Repair Disc:
Created using a CD/DVD.
Provides basic repair tools for fixing Windows startup problems.
Does not contain your system files.
Cannot reinstall Windows.
Legacy feature; there are better alternatives available.

Recovery Drive:
 Created using a USB drive (with more than 8 GB storage).
Similar to the system repair disc but with additional capabilities.
Contains your system files.
Can troubleshoot startup issues.
Can also reinstall Windows if necessary.

In summary, the key difference is that a recovery drive allows you to reinstall Windows,
whereas a repair disk does not. For most users, creating bootable Windows installation
media is a better option than relying on a repair disc or recovery drive [1,2,3].

Okay, let's make a recovery disk for Windows 10:

1. Start Windows 10.
2. Insert USB disk (>16GB).
3. Go to Control Panel.
4. Choose recovery option.
5. Create a recovery drive.
6. This creates a recovery drive from which you can
restore system files and/or troubleshoot problems.
7. Label the UISB disk appropriately.

On the recovery drive we find the folders EFI and sources,
and the file reagent.xml

As for the safety of your personal files while using the recovery utility, Copilot says this:

Certainly! When using the Windows Recovery Utility, the behavior depends on the
specific recovery option you choose. Here are the details:

Keep my files:

Remove everything:

Startup Repair:

Installation media:
If you haven't created a recovery drive, you can use installation media to:

Remember that encrypted files won't be accessible in the Recovery environment unless
you have the decryption key for the volume [1]. Always back up important data before
performing any recovery actions.

Next, let's create a setup or reinstallation drive for Windows 10.

1. Download the Media Creation Tool, found at

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

under Windows 10 installation media. It will by default be put into your
Downloads Folder.
2. Double click on it to open it. Then wait.
3. Accept the terms if you will. Then wait.
4. Click the option Create installation media (USB flash drive etc.)
5. Choose the appropriate Language, Edition, and Architecture.
6. Use the default option, which is USB flash drive.
7. When it's finished, label the USB disk appropriately.

When I asked Copilot if the process of making a Recovery USB disk is similar for
Windows 11 as for Windows 10, it had this to say:

The process of creating a Windows recovery utility for Windows 11 is similar to that
of Windows 10. Let me break it down for you:

1. Windows Installation Media:

2. Windows Recovery USB:

3. Differences:
While there isn't much difference between the two, here are some key points:

In summary, whether you're dealing with Windows 10 or Windows 11, both methods
serve the purpose of system recovery and reinstallation, but the installation
media is more versatile

By the way, my Windows 10 Installation (setup) USB disk contains the folders:

boot
efi
sources
support

and the files:

autorun.inf
bootmgr
bootmgr.efi
setup.exe

I queried ChatGPT on some addition information on the Recovery disk,
especially as it concerns that fact that the Recovery disk is PC specific
(for best results) and that it may be wise to update the Recovery disk on a
periodic schedule. For Windows 10, time will run out for updates in October
2025, but for Windows 11, it will go on indefinitely.

Patrick:
I'd like your input on routine updating of a Windows 10 recovery drive.
All the sources I read claimed that it's not necessary because after one
uses the recovery drive, Windows update will bring the PC to the latest
version. But it makes sense to me to do the updates. First, because one
saves time reconstructing the OS when time may be urgent (and this
presumes having access to the Internet in the first place). Second, because,
if the recovery drive is made from the PC it will service, if needed, it is
being made from a Windows OS that works at that time. This brings to mind
a question: Is the Windows 10 recovery drive generic for any Windows 10
PC, or is it optimized for the PC it was made on?

ChatGPT:
The topic of routine updating of a Windows 10 recovery drive is an important
consideration for maintaining system reliability and efficiency. Let's address
your points and questions:

1. Necessity of Updating: While it's true that Windows update will
bring the PC to the latest version after using the recovery drive, updating
the recovery drive itself can save time and ensure that the recovery process
is as smooth as possible. By including the latest updates and patches on the
recovery drive, you reduce the time needed for post-recovery updates,
especially in urgent situations where immediate access to the internet might
not be available.

2. Optimization of Recovery Drive: The Windows 10 recovery drive can
be created for a specific PC, and it contains system files and tools necessary
to troubleshoot and recover the operating system. While it's not customized in
the sense that it includes specific configurations or personal data, it does
include drivers and system files that are relevant to the PC it was created on.
Therefore, it's generally optimized for the specific hardware configuration
of the PC it was made on.

Given these points, updating the recovery drive periodically, especially after
major updates or changes to the system, can be a prudent practice to ensure
its effectiveness in case of emergencies. You can use built-in Windows tools to
update the recovery drive or recreate it entirely to include the latest system files
and updates. This proactive approach can save time and mitigate potential issues
during the recovery process.

Patrick:
So, if I use a recovery drive on Windows 10 machine A and then used it to fix
Windows 10 machine B. of slightly different hardware configuration, will it work,
or will there be a possible problem loading the correct drivers?

ChatGPT:
Using a recovery drive created on Windows 10 machine A to fix Windows 10
machine B with slightly different hardware configurations can potentially lead
to issues, especially regarding driver compatibility.

Here are some scenarios to consider:

1. Basic Functionality: In many cases, the recovery drive will still function
and allow you to boot into recovery tools such as System Restore, Startup Repair,
and Command Prompt. These tools are generally independent of specific hardware
configurations and can help troubleshoot common issues.

2. Driver Compatibility: The main concern arises with driver compatibility. If
Windows 10 machine B has hardware components that are significantly different
from those on machine A, there might be compatibility issues. For example, if
machine B has different network adapters, graphics cards, or storage controllers,
the drivers included on the recovery drive may not be suitable, leading to potential
problems with device recognition and functionality.

3. Resolution: In case of hardware differences, it's advisable to use recovery
media specifically created for the machine in question or to rely on Windows Update
to automatically install the necessary drivers post-recovery. If using a recovery
drive from another machine, it's important to have access to alternative means of
obtaining drivers, such as downloading them from the manufacturer's website or using
driver installation tools available through Windows recovery options.

In summary, while using a recovery drive from one Windows 10 machine to fix another is
possible in some cases, it's not guaranteed to work seamlessly, especially if the hardware
configurations differ significantly. It's always best to have recovery options tailored
to the specific hardware environment to ensure compatibility and smooth recovery
processes.

Additional help:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5