Clean Install Troubles; Error code: 0xc0000185

Question

I have a Lenovo, newer. It was running 10. The HD crashed. No biggie because I have drives laying around. 

I wiped an existing 500G drive clean and installed it. I created an installer USB from another Windows 10 machine I have. I ran the installer on the new machine and everything appears to go well up until it's time to restart. When the machine restarts, I get this message:

Your PC/Device needs to be repaired.

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

File: \Windows\system32\config\system

Error code:  0xc0000185

So, I go through all the steps. 1) I reformatted and attempted the installation again: same result 2) I re-created the install media and tried again: same result 3) I recreated the install media on a different USB: same result 4) I attempted with a different, newly formatted HD: same result. 

I've tried multiple permutations of USB drives, HDs, work order, removing the UBS, leaving it in... I tried about ten times, and get the same result every time. If I remove the USB stick before re-boot, I still get this result. The installer runs, and upon re-boot, I get this message. If I restart the computer, this message consistently comes up. Running the repair does not work. 

I think there were two occasions of getting this error when a restart gave me a slightly different error: a BCD error. 

I need to get W10 installed on this machine pretty soon. Any thoughts on how to proceed would be appreciated.

Answer 1

0xC0000185

STATUS_IO_DEVICE_ERROR

The I/O device reported an I/O error.

The disk might be failing. First please try replacing the cable and see if the issue persists.

Answer 2

It was the installer. 

I had to go to the machine I was making the install disk from. I had to clear out all of the support file folders, clean the disk, restart that machine, and then re-download the utility that creates the install media. 

I did that and everything went fine. Until I did that, it turns out poorly with every installer USB I used.

Answer 3

My mistake. I mistyped the code. The code as it appears is: 0xc0000185

According to what I'm seeing, that is not an I/o error but an error with Boot Configuration Data. Am I incorrect about that?

Answer 4

I'll go through this and try again tonight. I'll update with results tomorrow. Cheers!

Answer 5

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

Follow the illustrated Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure SATA controller is set to AHCI.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If you're using another PC to do this then uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

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

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. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands followed by Enter key:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

CLEAN

EXIT

Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

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.

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