"Preparing automatic repair", error code: 0xc0000185

Question

Original title: Error 0xc0000185 -

When I turn my pc on, it immediately says "Preparing automatic repair" and goes to a blue screen with the following text:

Your PC needs to be repaired

A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed. 

Error code: 0xc0000185

Youll need to use the recovery tools in your installation media. If you don't have any installation media(like a disk or USB device), contact your system administrator or PC manufacturer. 

Press Enter to try again 

Press F8 for Start-up Settings 

Press Esc for UEFI Firmware Settings

I have tried F8 and tried all the options it gives me. 

When I tried loading it in safe mode I get the following blue screen:

The operating system couldn't be loaded because the kernel is missing or contains errors. 

File: \Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

Error code: 0xc0000185 

I have looked on other forums but couldn't find the same problem that matched the same file problem. 

Any lo would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello, I created a Windows 8.1 bootable USB and tried using the Bootrec/scanos command. The result I got said "Total identified Windows installations: 0"

I also tried  "chkdsk/r c:" and although it's executing it, I am getting the error "The disk does not have enough space to replace bad clusters detected in file..."

I am currently still running the chkdsk command.

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for your update on the issue.

Please provide the below information.

1. Did you try the system restore in the advance option?
2. Did you try all the commands in the previous post?

I would suggest you to do the system refresh:

How to refresh, reset, or restore your PC

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

Note: If you upgraded your PC from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and your PC has a Windows 8 recovery partition, refreshing your PC will restore Windows 8. You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 after the refresh has finished.

Warning: Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

I hope this helps. Please let us know the results. Feel free to write us back for any further assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Answer 3

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I understand that you are facing the issue on automatic repair.

I will certainly help you with this.

Did you made any changes to pc prior to this?

0xc0000185 Windows 8.1 Error Codes are caused in one way or another by misconfigured system files in your windows operating system.

Un-plug all external devices, except the key board and mouse, then try to boot the system

I would suggest you to go through the below methods:

I would suggest you to go through the below methods:

Method 1: If you don’t have Windows disc, try to create Windows 8.1 bootable media:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Try to run the disc and use the recovery environment and try the below command and check if it helps:

In recovery option go to the Command Prompt and try the below commands:

• Bootrec /scanos

It scans for Windows installations on the hard drive. This is useful when the boot manager does not list all available Windows installations.

• Bootrec /fixmbr

It writes the Master Boot Record (MBR) on the system partition without rewriting the partition table.

• Bootrec /fixboot

It writes a new boot sector on the system partition to replace a corrupt boot sector which might be causing startup problems.

• Bootrec /RebuildBcd

It also replaces boot files to fix errors caused by corrupt files.

Also refer the link below:

Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/resolve-windows-blue-screen-errors

I hope this helps. Please let us know the results. Feel free to write us back for any further assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.