Windows 8.1 Boot Problem – Server Initialization Failed

Question

I have a Windows 8.1 desktop which is failing to boot and displaying the following error: Server initialization failed with an error: 0xc00700c1.

Automatic trouble shooting and check disk were unable to resolve the problem. Prior to this error the system was functioning normally and no new software had been installed.

I have not been able to find much information about what this error code means or how to address it. Could anyone point me in the direction of a solution?

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for the update on the issue.

Try the following methods and check.

Method 1:  Automatic repair

If you are unable to boot the computer, then I would suggest you to perform an Automatic repair. The Automatic repair can detect and fix the issues that prevent the computer from starting normally. You will need the Windows 8 disc to perform an Automatic repair.

 After you have a Windows 8 installation disc inserted, follow these steps:

1. When your computer starts, wait for the manufacturer logo to check the option for boot menu, it will usually be F12.
2. Restart the computer, keep pressing the Boot menu option key to enter the boot menu and change the boot option to CD\DVD ROM
3. After you boot your computer using Windows DVD or System Repair Disc, a black screen appears with gray text "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD". Press any key.
4. Select the correct time and Keyboard type.
5. Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner
6. Click on Troubleshooting, advanced option and then click Automatic repair.

Method 2: System restore

If automatic repair didn’t help, then you can perform a system restore and check:

1. When your computer starts, wait for the manufacturer logo to check the option for boot menu, it will usually be F12.
2. Restart the computer, keep pressing the Boot menu option key to enter the boot menu and change the boot option to CD\DVD ROM
3. After you boot your computer using Windows DVD or System Repair Disc, a black screen appears with gray text "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD". Press any key.
4. Select the correct time and Keyboard type.
5. Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner
6. Click on Troubleshooting, advanced option and then click System repair and follow the prompts.

***Disclaimer:***When you use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Answer 2

i have the same problem, ive tried your solutions but nothing has fixed it so far. im not even sure what has caused it. no new software has been installed on this computer for months. some further help would be nice

Answer 3

Thank you for the response.

I have attempted to troubleshoot the problem as suggested in method 1. However, I am unable to successfully access the Windows Recovery Environment. I have attempted to restart the computer three times in a row and I have attempted to press shift-f8 during the startup process to enter the Recovery Environment.

Both methods have no effect, - the Recovery Environment does not load and I am instead shown the same error: “Server initialization failed with an error: 0xc00700c1” followed by an automatic restart. If left alone the system will continually loop like this, showing the error and restarting indefinitely.

I can access the Recovery Environment with a USB boot disk, however, the Startup Settings option needed to force a safemode boot does not appear.

Please advise.

Answer 4

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per the description, I understand that you are facing some issues with Windows.

This issue might have occurred due to some third party application conflicts.

Let’s try the following methods and check if it helps:

Method 1:

Step 1:

I suggest you to try to boot the computer in safe mode and check, Please refer to the below Microsoft article and check if it helps.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

Step 2:

I suggest you to perform clean boot and check, using this Microsoft Article because may be a third party application is causing this issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

NOTE:

A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program in Windows. You may also troubleshoot or determine what conflict is causing the problem by performing a clean boot. You must log on to the computer as an administrator to be able to perform a clean boot. Your computer may temporarily lose some functionality when you perform a clean boot. When you start the computer normally, the functionality returns. However, you may receive the original error message, or experience the original behavior if the problem still exists. If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from following these steps.

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Once you perform clean boot do refer to the section “How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting” to boot the computer in normal mode.

Method 2:

I would suggest you to perform a SFC Scan and check if it helps.

Refer to the following link given below.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929833

Note: While performing SFC Scan I would recommend you to make sure that there are no applications or programs running on the back ground.

Hope this information helps. Please let us know if you need any other assistance with Windows in future. We will be happy to assist you.