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Boot disk error - unlocking hard drive

poit57

New member
Aug 8, 2014
644
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Two nights ago, I had a brief power outage at my house. Since then, my Windows 10 preview installation will not boot. It keeps giving a boot disk error. I first tried booting from my Build 10166 disc created from ISO and running the startup repair. I've seen errors using this tool on previous Windows versions, but the computer quickly rebooted, so I thought it was successful without errors. Nope, I still get the boot disk error message.

I booted again with my installation disc and tried running the "Refresh" option. This time, I get a message that the drive containing my Windows installation is locked and that I should unlock it before trying again. Does anyone know how I can unlock the drive? Unless I figure that out, it sounds like I will have to perform a clean installation.of Windows 10, which I don't really want to have to do again.
 

mjperry51

New member
Jul 1, 2013
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Two nights ago, I had a brief power outage at my house. Since then, my Windows 10 preview installation will not boot. It keeps giving a boot disk error. I first tried booting from my Build 10166 disc created from ISO and running the startup repair. I've seen errors using this tool on previous Windows versions, but the computer quickly rebooted, so I thought it was successful without errors. Nope, I still get the boot disk error message.

I booted again with my installation disc and tried running the "Refresh" option. This time, I get a message that the drive containing my Windows installation is locked and that I should unlock it before trying again. Does anyone know how I can unlock the drive? Unless I figure that out, it sounds like I will have to perform a clean installation.of Windows 10, which I don't really want to have to do again.
Try this:

The drive where Windows is installed is locked Windows 8

Or this:

Restore, Fix, Repair Master Boot Record (MBR) in Windows
 

poit57

New member
Aug 8, 2014
644
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Well, I was able to get Windows to boot after following those instructions and then running the startup repair again, but it looks like more than just the MBR was corrupted. When Windows finished loading, I got an error message about a Nvidia dll that was not designed to run on my system and I can't open the Start menu. I left the computer running the System File Checker when I left for work this morning. I'll check on that when I get home this evening, but it looks like I might have to give the system refresh another try.
 

poit57

New member
Aug 8, 2014
644
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I had no luck on restoring the functionality of the Start search after the Windows Reset and running System File Checker. I resorted to resinstalling from my build 10162 ISO to get everything running again.

I've been able to get several Windows Defender definition updates, but I haven't been offered any updated builds. Did Microsoft pull the build updates in preparation of the Windows 10 launch, or does this have anything to do with the activation process being turned off while they are preparing the launch?