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windows 10 won't boot after bad update

Anonymous
2019-04-12T05:32:06+00:00

today my windows 10 installation stopped booting, I think it happened because I accidentally turned the computer off when it was performing an update

I tried all sorts of commands to restore the booting system to no avail...

at this point, the system fails to boot with the error code 0xc0000001. pressing F1 to enter recovery environment results in a similar screen complaining about "File \BCD", error code 0xc0000098.

if I use bcedit to set safeboot to minimal, I get a bluescreen with code CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

i've been using a bootable cd to do stuff on it

sfc with /offbootdir and /offwindir reports nothing, same for dism with /image

I think the bcd for the OS is correct, but the bcd for the recovery environment may be bad and I don't know how to fix that one...I also think there must be a bunch of corrupted files preventing the system from booting, but I don't know how to locate or restore them

I tried looking at the windows update logs but get-windowsupdatelog fails as it looks for the necessary tools on the mounted drive rather than the real offline one...

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T05:57:14+00:00

    Hey Boot. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP here to help you.

    Unplug power and remove battery, press and hold power button for 30 seconds to release all power from circuitry, plug back in and power up to see if any change.

    I will give you steps to access the Repair Mode to try all repairs to get Windows started, and if not to do the automated Reset or the superior Clean Install after rescuing your files. These steps don't cover possible hardware failure which might become apparent while performing the steps, so please report back as you go:

    1. Use whichever method works in this link to access Advanced Startup Options: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc.... Easiest may be to force shut down the PC (by holding in the power button) three separate times to trigger the Startup Options. If one of these methods work, then go to Step 3.
    2. If none of the other methods work it may be necessary to Create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... Make sure to uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose only the licensed version.

    If the Media Creation Tool will not cooperate use the alternate download site at https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php. Burn to DVD using WIndows Image Burner or create bootable flash using one of the options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create...

    Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

    Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, then on second screen choose Repair Your Computer. If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

    1. In the Advanced Troubleshooting options try to System Restore to a point before the problems began, Startup Repair, then if necessary from Startup Settings try to get into Safe Mode with Networking, or lastly Safe Mode.

    If Startup Settings aren't available you can force Safe Mode from Command Prompt following Step 5 here: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf..., or using the command to unhide F8 Advanced Boot Options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/22455-enabl... where you can also try the old reliable Last Known Good Configuration.

    1. From Safe Mode w/Networking work through the Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get donehttp://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-performance/windows-10-performance-and-install-integrity/75529fd4-fac7-4653-893a-dd8cd4b4db00: If it doesn’t fix Windows enough to start it normally, then try a Windows 10 Refresh: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

    Update your drivers from the PC's Support Downloads web page. Compare the latest drivers with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

    1. If Safe Mode doesn’t work or help stabilize things then return to Advanced Troubleshoot options. Next try Command Prompt to run through Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist (above link) repair commands including sfc /scannow, DISM, a full Disk Check https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri..., or return to Troubleshoot options to Reset Your Windows 10 PC.
    2. Better yet do the vastly superior Clean Install Windows 10 following the steps in this link to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...
    3. There is a step to Rescue Files from the booted media or Repair Mode Command Prompt first: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    These steps are excerpted from my tutorial that compiles everything possible for Troubleshooting Windows 10 Failure to Start: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... You can continue with the other steps there.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer There are links to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T05:39:14+00:00

    Hi boot, I am Rob, an independent and a 12 time and dual award MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as independents we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

    Even though you have probably tried some of these please do them again as outlined below. Do the StartUp Repair 3 times after the BootRec. And if needed use EasyBCD and then run StartUp Repair 3 times again.

    Troubleshooting which may help :

    How to make a Windows 10 Installation/Repair DVD or USB driver in last section below.

    Boot with a Installation or Repair disc or USB drive - issue these from the Command Prompt and hit ENTER after each.

    C:

    bootrec /fixmbr

    bootrec /fixboot

    bootrec /scanos

    bootrec /rebuildbcd

    After the above you may need to run StartUp Repair (even 2 or 3 times)

    http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/27649-startu...


    Using EasyBCD often works when other methods do not. <-- if Bootrec did not help use this.

    Translate the Windows 8/8.1 methods to Windows 10.

    Fixing the Windows Bootloader via the setup DVD (7, 8, & 8.1 & 10)

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recoverin...

    Recovering the Windows Bootloader (Vista, Windows 7, 8, & 8.1 & 10)

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recoverin...

    Fixing the Windows Bootloader via the setup DVD (Vista, Windows 7, 8, & 8.1 & 10)

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Repairing...

    After the above you may need to run StartUp Repair (even 2 or 3 times)

    http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/27649-startu...

    if needed :

    How to Prepare Bootable Install Media for Windows 10 - DVD, USB or SD Card

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    Clean Install Windows 10

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...


    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

    Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T07:28:42+00:00

    i already had safeboot set to minimal and was getting that blue screen

    i tried running dism again, this time with /source Install.wim from the win 10 iso I prepared, then ran sfc

    dism said the restore operation completed successfully

    sfc, like before, said it did not find any integrity violation

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T07:08:34+00:00

    i ran startup recovery and it said attempting repairs

    next i ran it again and it said it couldn't fix the error. i checked the log file and it seems all tests passed so i guess there's nothing else startup recovery can do now

    however i still got the same blue screen and errors

    i noticed the 'uninstal updates' options. trying to uninstall the latest feature update resulted in an error, can't do it. successfully uninstalled the latest quality update, then tried to boot again and got the same result

    ran the bootrec commands, fixmbr was ok, fixboot said access denied, scanos identified 0 installations, same for rebuildbcd.

    ran startup repair once, it attempted repairs. second time, couldn't repair just like before. third time, same as second time.

    SrtTrail.log says all tests completed successfully, error code is always 0x0 except for installed LCU with error code 0x20, but still says completed successfully

    i don't have access to easyBCD anymore cause I rewrote the USB I was using with a windows 10 install iso so I could do startup recovery

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  5. Sumit D - IA 169.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2019-04-12T05:39:56+00:00

    Hi,

    Consider doing a clean install after rescuing your files.

    Rescue Files when Windows won't start

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    How to do a clean install

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/for...

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

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