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The EXCEPTION_ILLEGAL_INSTRUCTION error happens when a program tries to run a CPU instruction your processor doesn’t support, or due to corrupted software, drivers, or malware. To fix it safely, first back up your important files. Then update Windows and drivers, scan for malware, and reinstall any program that crashes. You can also repair Windows files by running sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an administrator Command Prompt. If the problem persists, reset BIOS settings to default, try a clean boot, or as a last resort, reset Windows 11 while keeping your files.
If your Windows PC keeps looping CHKDSK at startup, the safest first step is to back up your important files before attempting any repairs. This can be done by booting from a Linux live USB or connecting the drive to another working PC and copying your files to an external drive. Once your data is safe, check the disk’s health using SMART tools to see if it’s failing. After that, you can run CHKDSK or Windows repair commands from a recovery USB. Avoid running repairs before backing up, especially if the drive shows signs of failure, because it could make recovery harder. If the drive is physically failing, consider professional recovery.
Thanks, that helps. I’ll try the route of restoring to a backup, pulling the thread out, and just saving it separately. Not perfect, but at least I won’t totally lose it. Appreciate all the advice y’all.
There’s a bunch out there .. iMazing, stellar data recovery for iPhone etc. They basically scan the backup and let you save the convo as text, PDF, or even re importable files. I’ve used stellar iphone recovery before, worked fine for me.
Gotcha. Sounds like “merging” directly isn’t possible, but exporting it out is doable. Do you guys have any recommendations on what software actually works for pulling out just messages from a backup?
Tbh I learned this the hard way too. Once iCloud wipes, it’s game over unless you’ve got an offline copy. If the content really matters, your best bet is: restore an old backup to another device (or even a borrowed one), disable iCloud, then pull the chat out using recovery software. At least you’ll still have the history in readable form
Yep, it’ll sync and wipe it again. That’s why people usually extract the thread separately before re-enabling sync. It’s clunky but works.
That’s a good point. If I turn icloud back on afterward though, won’t it just overwrite again?
Just curious — why not try disabling iCloud Messages completely, then restoring from a backup? That way it should keep whatever was in the backup without syncing/wiping it right away. Then you could export the convo out before turning iCloud back on.
If you’ve got Time Machine backups, you might be able to pull the old chat.db file (that’s the Messages database) from the backup and mount it separately. But that takes a little digging around. There are guides for that, but it’s not super straightforward unless you’re comfy with Finder and hidden files.
Hmm yeah I was kinda afraid that was the case. I don’t have a spare device lying around though, just my main phone and the ipad that’s already synced and lost the chat.
Exactly!! Apple never built a “merge” feature for messages. It’s all or nothing. I’ve had luck doing what @Nina said..restore an old backup to a spare device, then grab the convo out of it using software. Not ideal, but safer than nuking your current messages.
Honestly, Apple doesn’t give us much control here. If you restore from a backup, it’ll usually replace your current Messages database. Some folks I know will use a 3rd party tool to just export that one thread as a PDF or text file, at least so you don’t totally lose it. Not a real “merge” but it saves the content.
Yeah that’s the part that worries me. I don’t want to overwrite all my newer stuff just to get one old thread back
The AMD_AGS_X64.DLL missing error usually occurs when the file is deleted, corrupted, or part of an outdated AMD graphics driver. To fix it safely without losing data, first back up your important files. Then update or reinstall your AMD graphics drivers from the official AMD website, as this will restore the missing DLL. You can also run System File Checker and DISM to repair any corrupted Windows system files: open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow followed by DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Avoid downloading DLL files from unofficial sites. After updating drivers and repairing system files, restart your PC and the programs should work normally.