Did Lenovo update, Windows 8.1 won't load. BSOD

[dave124]

I did an update from Lenovo which included video drivers, BIOS, and other stuff. Now my computer won't start. I get a BSOD and then the computer loops into the Automatic Repair menu (Windows 8.1). I did a System Restore Point and even though the OS said the recovery was successful, it still won't boot up correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ColonelONeill]

Are you able to boot into Safe Mode? Does the BSOD name a driver file?

[dave124]

No. I try to go into safe mode and it BSODs out and back into the repair options. The BSOD flashes so quickly, I cannot read the error. I was able to try a restore point and it said it was successful but it BSOD on restart. I am just guessing...but I suspect it is the new BIOS version?

[dave124]

Okay, I had to video the BSOD error code because it flashed so quickly.

error: Inaccessible Boot Device.

This makes me think it is the BIOS. I will play with the boot order. I am guessing this is a result of the new BIOS Lenovo pushed to my computer via a suggested update. Anyone else have a suggestion?

[cshen24]

This is a BIOS update problem.  I had this problem since I run my drive in RAID mode and the BIOS reverts it to AHCI mode after the flash.  It's a total mess.  I'll post a registry tweak that you need to do using the Windows boot tools later.  It has something to do with the Intel storage drivers.

[cshen24]

Try this: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Follow the "Let me fix it myself" section and use the registry editor in the limited boot menu. I think you can open a console window and run "regedit.exe"

I believe in my case, I had to make modifications in the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Iastor

System booted back right up after making the change.

[dave124]

I gave that a try. I was able to get to regedit (I didn't think it was possible) and I did follow the directions to the key. I don't have that last key mentioned. I also noticed the article was for Windows7.

I found a link on that same Microsoft page to a different way to solve a similar thing on Windows8. I followed the directions to get into COMMAND / DOS and get an elevated command prompt. I followed the directions to get the computer to restart in Safemode "bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal" and then followed the directions to type "shutdown /r /t 0"  to shutdown the computer and then start it back up. The computer didn't recognize the shutdown command so I hit exit. The computer went back into the Win8.1 repair menu. I chose to "shutdown" the computer. I restarted the computer and after approximaetly 10 minutes, it went into some sort of Safemode screen. The screen said "safemode" on all 4 corners but the desktop never fully developed. The screen flashed and I got the Lenovo splash scree with "Diagnosing your PC" again with the Windows8.1 moving cirle in the middle.  Now I am back to "Choose and Option."

I still can't boot. I am learning a lot about Win8.1 though...

[ColonelONeill]

Check in BIOS under SATA and see if it has indeed reverted to Compatibility mode instead.

[cshen24]

The last part mentioned by ColonelONeill is critical.  In my case, I had to first set the registry value and then change the BIOS SATA/RAID value back to what I had set before the BIOS update.  The BIOS update reverted my setting from RAID->ACHI.  After doing those two things, I finally was able to boot up.  Also, I am running Windows 8.1 as well.  I forgot the exact key, but for what it's worth, IaStorA, iaStorAV, iaStorV all have it's "Start" value set to 0.

[dave124]

I went into regedit and made sure all those values (iastora, iastorav, iastorv,) were set to 0 (zero). They are already set to 0.  I was unable to find Msahci. I also did a "find" for it and it did not exist where the article said it should be. That article was for Windows7 and I am on 8.1.

I read the W530 user guide and it suggests the Serial ATA(SATA) be set to AHCI and that is how it is set now. The only other option is "Compatibility." I have tried both and neither boot up the computer. 

I still get the Inaccessible_Boot_Device error.

Can anyone with a W530 go over their boot priority list with me? I just want to make sure I have that correct.