Drivers missing

Question

Did some dumb things on a forum, computer had a stroke and spent 50 hours (no exaggeration) “fixing C: drive” now my pc won’t boot and it says the error “the boot configuration data file doesn’t contain valid information for an operating system” also I did a diagnostic thing and it said my hard drive was ****, btw I know little to nothing about computers so don’t bully me for not knowing apparently common knowledge

Answer 1

Hi Joeparke,

I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

You will need installation media to try to repair your Windows startup. If you don't have one, create using the Media Creation Tool. Access the link below and click on "Download tool now".

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

Run the tool on a functional computer and select "Create installation media for another computer".

You can create the installation media on an empty USB flash drive with at least 8GB.

With the installation media, try to repair Windows startup by following the steps below.

1. Start your computer using the installation media;

(Consult your computer's manual for instructions on how to boot from a USB Flash Drive or to change the boot priority. Manufacturers usually make the manual available in the support area of their websites.)

2. Choose your language, select "Next", and click "Repair your computer";
3. On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair".

If it doesn't solve the problem, do the following:

1. Start your computer using the installation media;
2. Choose your language, select "Next", and click "Repair your computer";
3. On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt".

At the Command Prompt, type the commands below one at a time and press Enter.

CHKDSK /R /F X:

Bootrec /Scanos

Bootrec /Rebuildbcd

Bootrec /Fixmbr

Bootrec /Fixboot

Close Command Prompt and restart the PC.

If it persists, use system restore to get Windows to the point where it was working.

1. Start your computer using the installation media;
2. Choose your language, select "Next", and click "Repair your computer";
3. On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore".

If you can access Windows after one of these methods, I suggest you check the health of your HDD/SSD using Crystal Disk Info.

https://crystalmark.info/en/download/

Download the "Standard Edition" by clicking on the "ZIP (XP-)" button.

Extract the ZIP and run the file "DiskInfo64.exe".

The health result of your HDD/SSD will be displayed. See if there are any alerts.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions.

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Standard Disclaimer: There is a link 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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Answer 2

I believe your disk may have a problem.

Can you connect this disk to another computer as a secondary to check health using Crystal Disk Info?

If not, do the following:

1. Start your computer using the installation media;
2. When you get to the screen to select install or repair, press "Shift + F10" to open the Command Prompt.
3. Type the command below and press Enter;

diskpart

4. Type the command below and press Enter;

list disk

See the result of this command. If possible send me a picture.

Answer 3

On the where do you want to install windows page there are no drives, when I am prompted to create a drive it won’t go above 0mb

Answer 4

I'm not sure that you can get past this without formatting the drive then clean installing the OS which by all means should work and be solvable probably the same day you do it (as in 50 hours saved). You might be able to find a way but that is muddy waters and the path isn't clear.

If you need files off of it then you best hook it up to an enclosure or whatever and get them off. Assuming you need to and even can.

But, for future reference, if you have automatic backups running then you can format and clean install when you have to without much concern during any issue at all and typically be back up and running same day or even back within Windows roughly within a half hour many times :-)

Even better for you, add in image backups before doing something risky. Then you have your computer imaged and can go exactly back to where it was before you did that risky thing. This is what I do. I did it before dual booting Windows 11 installation for safety.

Answer 5

When typing Bootrec /Fixboot, it says access denied, also when using system restore it says I must select and operating system when I restart the computer. When I restart the computer is says “reboot and select a proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key” All the other options simply don’t work.