Windows 8 Boot Configuration Data file Error code: 0xc000000d on Lenovo Ideapad U510

Question

I purchased my IdeaPad u510 less than 6 months ago with Windows 8 pre-installed.  

After shutting down normally, the next day when I started the computer I am immediately brought to a blue screen which reads:

Recovery

Your PC needs to be repaired

The Boot Configuration Date file is missing some required information.

File:\BCD

Error Code: 0zc000000d

You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media.  If you don't have and installation media, contact your system admin or PC manufacturer.

So, I called Lenovo and the first thing they ask is if I was downloading anything (which I wasn't) and implied that maybe I had a virus.  Their solution was for me to restore the laptop to factory settings which I do not want to do.  I told them I would look into it and call them back.

So, I did some research as the problem appears to be with booting and not with my computer.   I can get to the BIOS screen so obviously have access to my hard drive.  The error message also states that I'm missing SOME required data.  In another topic on this forum someone has a similar problem and was directed to a solution using the Microsoft Windows 8 CD.  It appears that this is a known Windows issue and that there is a workaround so that the system doesn't have to be restored to factory settings.   So why can't I get this disk and do the repair?  Once I had the disk I would go into Repair Your Computer and fix the MBR.

So, I called Lenovo-- told Hardware what I found and was told, "You're absolutely right."  Seriously?  Two days ago you guys told me I had to erase my hard drive to fix this and now you're admitting that all I need is the disk?  So, they transferred me to Software. Now, software says they can fix it but that I need to pay $89 for a one time fix!  Really?

I would think that since this is a known Windows OS issue either Lenovo or MS would offer to repair it.  I mean, seriously, all I need is the disk.  Wy can't I have it?  I bought the computer.

Answer 1

Hi,

There is a fairly easy way to usually fix this, but you need a Repair Disk, or Installation Disk to try it...

Do you get any kind of offer to do a Repair when this message shows up?

Do you have a friend that you can borrow a Repair or Installation Disk from?

A Win 7 installation disk might even work... you just need to get to a windows .CMD prompt...

1. Put the Windows installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type BOOTREC /FIXMBR, and then press ENTER.
8. Type BOOTREC /FIXBOOT, and then press ENTER.
9. Type BOOTREC /REBUILDBCD, and then press ENTER.

Answer 2

Yeah, success! Created a bootable installation flashdrive and the above bootrec steps worked perfectly. Thanks, slance310, for all your help.

Answer 3

Hi,

That "Successfully scanned Windows installations" "Total identified Windows installations: 0" doesn't make sense to me... I guess it means the scan was successful, but found no windows installation....

We know that there is one there...

The only thing I can think of to try is another drive letter... like E:.

With the new machines and UEFI boot, the hard drive has far more partitions than it used to. Not even counting the Factory Recovery partition...

One other thing you could look into is whether your machine has a button you can push at boot, to reinstall from the factory recovery partition.

Have you tried the Startup Repair feature that comes up where you select the command prompt ?

Answer 4

I'm back again. So now, I've tried running the bootrec commands at various available prompts - I have no c:> but have tried d:>.  For both the /fixmbr and /fixboot I get the same response - "The system cannot find the path specified".  When I try /rebuildbcd I get a different message:

first it says "Scanning all disks for Windows installations" followed by "Please wait, since this may take a while . . ."  Then it says "Successfully scanned Windows installations" "Total identified Windows installations: 0" "The operation completed successfully". 

But ... problem still exists!!!!!

Any more thoughts, please?

Thanks

Answer 5

Hi,

Just thought of something... you may have a GPT drive, not MBR...

If that is the case the first command BOOTREC /FIXMBR may not work, or be irrelevent.

If it gives you a hard time, skip to the next command and see if it completes...