XPS 8930, SA OS recovery doesn't work

I was never able to get my support assist to work properly. When I contacted Dell, they basically ignored. Even the video's I made they ignored it.  Mine would show a blank blue screen (NOT BSOD) for a few minutes then shut down. Luckly, I made the Recovery when I got my system. I still have that but restoring to factory for me would be Windows 10 Pro 1903. 

My suggestion to you is to use the media creation tool from Microsoft and do a clean install. And either download drivers from Dell or let Windows Update get them. Windows Update may not get them all you may need to download from Dell. Hope this helps.

Hi CTG_8273,

Thank you for the advice I apreciate your time, but its a matter of principle, coincidently everything started soon after I refused to pay for extra support care. I used to be a Dell fan but the same thing happen to my last Dell system, knowing this I didn't want to take the risk and I've done system image soon after I get my hands on this one and now when it comes time to get back to the system image the folder is empty apart of one little file where I can see when I've done the image but the actual image is missing. I want to fix this the way it is ment to be, if I can't do it I'm just gonna go with something else next time.

@belqta  Always include exact PC model in your posts.

If you updated this PC from its original OS (Win 10?) to Win 11, you probably lost the ability to use the OS recovery because access to the stored image got broken by updating and/or the image has been deleted.

Does this PC still boot and run, at least until you get a BSOD?

Try this:

1. At the desktop, open a CMD prompt window, Run as administrator
   
   
2. At the prompt, type in:  chkdsk c: /r and press Enter
   Accept offer to run chkdsk at next boot and reboot PC
   chkdsk will run before windows loads so be patient
   
   
3. Back at the desktop open a CMD prompt window as in #1
   
   
4. At the prompt, type: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter. Be sure to include a space in front of each / and copy any error messages when that's done.
   
   
5. Assuming no unfixed errors in #4, at the CMD prompt, type in: sfc /scannow and press Enter. Be sure to include a space in front of the / and note any errors when that's done.
   
   
6. Assuming no unfixed errors in #4 or #5, reboot boot PC and see that helps...

---

@belqta wrote:

 

1. Thank you for the advice I appreciate your time, but its a matter of principle.

2. I want to fix this the way it is meant to be, if I can't do it I'm just gonna go with something else next time.

---

1. As far as SupportAssist OS Recovery, it could be any number of things preventing it from working. Maybe the Server is down, maybe the moon is tilted.

If you call Dell, explain your trouble, they would just tell you to go over to Microsoft.com and create a USB Flash-drive with Media Creation Tool (on a working computer of course).

You could also be using the Dell Recovery flash-drive if you would have created it before machine broke. That would return it to it's factory software load (however, it would likely be quite outdated, old drivers, etc.).

2. You can't get any better than Windows-10 from Microsoft.com . It is the best, most perfect version.

And if you must know what changes Dell makes to it ... all they really do it add their name to the Support section. They also add some of their apps (which you don't need). If you still want them, you can download and install them from Dell.com Support later.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Aurora-R7-M-2-NVMe-bootable-options/m-p/6073081/highlight/true#M3401

If you need additional assistance, just let us know. 

Hi Tesla1856,

Thank you for your time

My PC is still working alright, I just got this blue screens out of the blue every now and then totaly random ( when I'm doing somthing or when computer is idle). I have done Automated recovery copy on a USB with the OS recovery tool (even though it says I've got everything I need on my PC to recover it),but it steel leeds me to a White/Black screen ad then nothing else happen.

My system:XPS 8930 ; Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700 CPU @ 3.00GHz ; 16GB Memory ; 2TB HDD / 512GB SSD

Windows:Win 10 pro 21H2

---

@belqta wrote:

 

1. My PC is still working alright, I just got this blue screens out of the blue every now and then totaly random ( when I'm doing somthing or when computer is idle).

2. I have done Automated recovery copy on a USB with the OS recovery tool (even though it says I've got everything I need on my PC to recover it),but it steel leeds me to a White/Black screen ad then nothing else happen.

My system:XPS 8930 ; Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700 CPU @ 3.00GHz ; 16GB Memory ; 2TB HDD / 512GB SSD

Windows:Win 10 pro 21H2

---

1. Then you might be able to troubleshoot and fix what you have (usually updates and uninstalled needless junk software, Processes, etc.).

See what Windows Reliability Report says is really going on. However, if you are already prepared to clean-install Windows ... that can be a more straight-forward process.  

Be sure to carefully read that page I posted (and its notes).

2. When you create it, you must have the Check-Mark "include System Files". It takes a while and must be on a rather large flash-drive. When its time to actually use it ... F12 for one-time-boot to get it started.

HOWEVER, this is why myself and Dell will often instead send owners over to Microsoft.com to create a fresh/perfect drive at Microsoft.com ... if your system is corrupt or compromised, then often so is the Recovery Partition. It all needs to be formatted away (not used to Restore System).

Windows-10 also has the "Reset my PC" feature. Depending on what options you pick, this can turn-out like a Recovery to Dell Shipped Factory Software Config. 

And finally, there is now a Fresh-Start option (which is more like a true clean-install) .

https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-reinstall-windows-10-without-the-bloatware/

Hi RoHe,

Thanks for taking part in my little adventure.

Thankfuly it is still runing, the BSODs appeared randomly.

I've followed the step above and so far no bsod after few hours work.

I believe the image could be lost because i noticed the recovery folder in drive C is empty, in dark yellow and I can not open it even if I try to change security options.

@belqta  Glad you haven't had a BSOD for a few hours after running those commands!

Although you didn't mention the GPU in your XPS 8930, my XPS 8930 (NVidia GTX 1660Ti) is virtually identical to yours.

From my experience, those commands can find/fix BSOD issues with minimal effort. In fact, I got a total crash yesterday and it automatically started the hardware diagnostics. When I got back to the desktop, I ran those commands and they found and fixed an issue with a key Windows component (win32kfull.sys).

When you get a BSOD, it's helpful to look at the Windows Reliability Monitor for easy-to-read details on what process failed and contributed to the BSOD.  Also, the free Who Crashed app is very helpful in identifying the cause of BSODs. That way you know what may need to be fix (reinstalled).

Run your system for a few days and post back to let us know if the problems are solved.

---

@belqta wrote:

 

I believe the image could be lost because i noticed the recovery folder in drive C is empty, in dark yellow and I can not open it even if I try to change security options.

---

No, never mess with Recovery partitions or their Permissions. 

< And finally, there is now a Fresh-Start option (which is more like a true clean-install) .

But if this is your objective, I like the clean-install via microsoft.com flash-drive because it is more absolute. As it starts, you can remove all existing partitions, start with a completely clean-drive, etc.

Hi RoHe,

Sorry for taking me so long to come back, I was extreamly busy.

It was alright for a couple of days and then it all went back to "normal" blue screens etc., so in the end I end up reinstalling my windows using OS recovery tool using the advanced option. Everething was fine with all Dell recovery options after installation up until I allowed windows to update. After this windows cut all connections with the recovery path, so my OS recovery is not working again. At least I dont get blue screens any more

I guest I just have to live with it

If you need it, just create a bootable USB stick with the Windows installer on it at the Microsoft site. You don't need the OS recovery. 

And make sure you back up your personal files frequently on an external drive to be safe! 

@belqta

BDDCI.sys filter driver belongs to software BDDCI by B_it defender

Personally I do not recommend using anything other than windows defender.

You could run fresh start and it will remove all the non windows stuff. I dont recommend trying to dell recover when your B i tdefender stomps on the recovery.

Windows Key R to run

c:\windows\system32\systemreset.exe -cleanpc