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Boot error


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#1
Trent M

Trent M

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Hello,

We're having a problem booting a laptop, which I don't think is malware. At least my anti-virus scanner does not find anything, and the computer otherwise is running fine once booted. One day the laptop was left on while unplugged and the battery drained, and ever since it has not booted properly. I can never shut it down without having to go through a repair process, and so I just let it sleep instead of shutting down.

Upon booting, Windows Boot Manager says:
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: .... 3) Repair you computer.
File: \Boot\BCD
status: OxcOOOOOOf
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.

Then I insert the Windows Installation disk, and it tells me to hit any key to boot from the CD/DVD. Windows then loads the files, and the prompts to install the language and keyboard format, and then it prompts to either install Windows Vista or "Repair your computer". System recovery options says "Windows found problems with your computer's startup options"... and I click "Repair and Restart". Then it restarts and boots fine. But then next time I shut it down, it fails to reboot again.

Thank you in advance for any help with this problems.

Cheers,
Trent
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#2
usasma

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If the repair works and then breaks again - it's likely that there's more problems here.
The first step (IMO) would be to run a bootable hard drive diagnostic: http://usasma.vox.co...iagnostics.html
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#3
Trent M

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Hello,

I had some troubles with the first step. My drive is from Seagate. I downloaded and installed Seatools for Windows, and the program gave me the options of the following tests:

1. S.M.A.R.T test
2. Short Drive Self test
3. Long Drive Self Test
4. Drive Information
5. Short generic
6. Long generic
7. Advanced tests

I ran tests 1, 2, and 5, and it passed them all.

Then I attempted to download ISO file from Seatools and burn the image to a blank CD and reboot the computer from that CD. Upon booting, the CD drive engaged, but it got caught in a loop and kept cycling to the screen that offered the options of F2 or F12. Nothing else happened. No prompts for a diagnotic test.

Not sure what happened, or if I did something incorrectly.

Regards,

Trent
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#4
reprovo

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Have you tried installing windows on an external hard drive and booting from there just to be certain it's not a hard drive issue?
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#5
usasma

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Please run the Long Drive Self Test (#3). I have had many drives pass "short" tests at work - and then fail the long test.

If you can get the test to work in Windows, there's generally no need to run the bootable test.

Also, please obtain the details from the Startup Repair report and paste it in your next post. (it looks something like this:
Startup Repair diagnosis and repair log
	---------------------------
	Last successful boot time: 8/9/2008 4:34:15 PM (GMT)
	Number of repair attempts: 1

	Session details
	---------------------------
	System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
	Windows directory = E:\Windows
	AutoChk Run = 0
	Number of root causes = 1

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Check for updates
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: System disk test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Disk failure diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 266 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Disk metadata test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 31 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Target OS test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 78 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Volume content check
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 110 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Boot manager diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 31 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: System boot log diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Event log diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 62 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Internal state check
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Boot status test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Setup state check
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 532 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Registry hives test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 2406 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Windows boot log diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Bugcheck analysis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 625 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Access control test
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 8797 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: File system test (chkdsk)
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Software installation log diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Test Performed:
	---------------------------
	Name: Fallback diagnosis
	Result: Completed successfully. Error code =  0x0
	Time taken = 0 ms

	Root cause found:
	---------------------------
	Unspecified changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

	Repair action: System files integrity check and repair
	Result: Failed. Error code =  0x2
	Time taken = 456172 ms

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#6
Trent M

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Ok, thanks, I'll do that and get back to you. Do you know where the Startup Repair report is saved?

Trent
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#7
usasma

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No, but when you run it there's a link for "Details" of the report. I just copied that.

I believe that there's a SRTtrail.txt report that's generated at %WINDIR%\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt
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#8
Trent M

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Hello,

I ran the long test, and it passed. I did a reboot (which of course failed) and ran the repair, and then tried to view details, but when I look for the log file SrtTrail.txt it says last successful boot time 1/1/2009. Not sure if that's what you're looking for.

Here's the logs....

Thanks, Trent


--------------- SeaTools for Windows v1.1.1.0 ---------------
06/07/2009 9:13:16 PM
Model: ST9160823ASG
Serial Number: 5NK15DQM
Firmware Revision: 3.ADE
SMART - Pass 06/07/2009 9:13:16 PM
Short DST - Started 06/07/2009 9:22:00 PM
Short DST - Pass 06/07/2009 9:25:33 PM
Identify - Started 06/07/2009 9:25:46 PM
Identify - Pass 06/07/2009 9:25:48 PM
Short Generic - Started 06/07/2009 9:26:37 PM
Short Generic - Pass 06/07/2009 9:28:10 PM
Long DST - Started 07/07/2009 9:58:02 PM
Long DST - Pass 08/07/2009 12:13:35 AM



Startup Repair diagnosis and repair log
---------------------------
Last successful boot time: 1/1/2009 6:00:55 PM (GMT)
Number of repair attempts: 1

Session details
---------------------------
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Disk failure diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 125 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 46 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 125 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 172 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 47 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 46 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Event log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 110 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Internal state check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
---------------------------
Name: Boot status test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Root cause found:
---------------------------
Boot status indicates that the OS booted successfully.

---------------------------
---------------------------
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#9
usasma

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Sorry, but I'm out of ideas here.

Try this free utility to see if it spots anything unusual about your system: http://www.sisoftwar...n=sware_dl_3264

You could try a repair install of Windows using this procedure: http://vistasupport....e_vista_dvd.htm

If that fails, then try a reinstall of Windows (backup your stuff first).
If that fails, then there's deeper issues with your hardware (such as your motherboard or other devices - which we don't have diagnostics for).
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#10
Trent M

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Ok thanks. As I mentioned, this all started one day after the computer was left on while running on battery power, and it all works just fine except for being unable to boot without performing a windows repair each time. I'll try your other suggestions and I'll let you know if the utility discovers anything. Otherwise, I'll probably just back everything up, format the drive, and do a clean install.

Regards,
Trent
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#11
vermonsta

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Hi, I am a new member. I have Dell laptop xps M1530 with Vista Ultimate. Installed office student ed and also allowed installation of a few windows updates that showed up on a pop-up box. A few days later I received a Windows Error Recovery screen upon boot attempt and it loops back to this screen regardless of whether I attempt to repair or launch normally. Unable to boot in Safe mode - same error screen. I have the Reinstallation Vista DVD from Dell that came with laptop and ran the Repair from the installation menu. Repair Details says-- Root Cause Found: system volume on disk is corrupt (chkdsk) Result: Complete successfully. Error code = 0X0.
Restart after Repair - got same Windows Error Recovery Screen. Tried lauching normally from this screen and got blue screen-- Stop C0000221 Unknown Hard Error\SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll
Also had another blue screen error - Stop: 0X0000006B (0xC000007A 0X00000000)
These errors seem to relate to xp, which I dont have installed - always had Vista (although bought from Dell outlet refurbished).

Never did a backup so I may lose 8 months info (learning hard way...)
Ordered a external hd in hopes of backup if I need to reformat (per Dell suggestion) but not sure how to do this - if even possible. Dell tech suggested checking for windows old file once ext HD arrives.

Any suggestions appreciated.
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