Windows 10: "NLS data is missing or contains errors" - Can't Boot - Can I Fix It with an Installation Disk?

[If this sounds familiar, it's the second and more immediate of the two problems that I posted here. This part was getting lost, so I'm moving it to a separate thread.]


I tried to use Dell's AlienWare "Respawn" tool to fix a BSoD problem see link above for original problem. Now it immediately goes to a BSoD that says the following:

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Recovery[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Your PC/Device needs to be repaired[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]The operating system couldn't be loaded because the NLS data is missing or contains errors.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Error code: 0xc0000242[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]You'll need to use recovery tools. If you don't have any installation media like a disc or USB device, contact your PC administrator or PC/Device manufacturer.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Press Enter to try again[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Press F1 to enter Recovery Environment[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Press F8 for Startup Settings[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]Press Esc for UEFI Firmware Settings[/COLOR]


I don't have a recovery disc, but I created an installation USB with the Windows Media Creation Tool on another PC. Trying a restore with its Startup Repair option from the Recovery window failed. I have a SrtTrail.txt file at the link below, but I don't know for certain if it was from this attempt. The only date in the file implies that it's from before the NLS problem.


I tried running DISM from the Command Line. I'm new to DISM, but I gathered that to run it from the installation recovery, I needed to use the /image:C:\ option. First, I tried /RevertPendingActions:

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]dism /image:c:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions /scratchdir:c:\temp[/COLOR]


It appeared to run successfully. I rebooted, but the NLS problem was still there. So I booted from the installation USB again and ran the above command again. I didn't copy the whole output or the log, but it failed with [COLOR=rgba215, 57, 0, 1]error 0x800f082f[/COLOR]. I then tried the following command:

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]dism /image:c:\ /cleanup-image /checkhealth /scratchdir:c:\temp[/COLOR]


It said that it was repairable. So then I tried:

[COLOR=rgba42, 0, 170, 1]dism /image:c:\ /cleanup-image /restorehealth /scratchdir:c:\temp[/COLOR]


At 31.1%, it fails with [COLOR=rgba215, 57, 0, 1]Error: 234[/COLOR]. I did save the screen output and log of this here: debug-20210410

The possibly old SrtTrail.txt file is in there also.


Can anyone confirm if I'm using the correct command? It seems like it should be able to repair this from an installation disc.

Do I need to specify the /source option?


Thanks.

:)

 

NLS Data is missing or contains errors - Error code oxc0000102

Wife's Windows 10 PC will not boot. Was looping through Automatic repair. I disabled automatic repair using
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No from the command line in a recovery console to get a clearer look.

The next boot showed the following:

Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
The operating system couldn't be loaded because the NLS data is missing or contains errors
Error code oxc0000102

What is NLS data? Not sure how to repair this...

I ran some basic repair command from the recovery console but this issue persists. Any advise as to next steps would be appreciated.


Ran Bootsec /fixmbr /rebuildbcd successfully
Running Bootsec /fixboot returns "access denied"
sfc /scannow shows no errors

Thanks,

 

The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors

To topgundcp.

I followed your instructions but Macrium could not find an operating system. See image below.




I pressed next anyway and selected C: and pressed next again.





I ran the fix and everything seems to have worked fine. I then restarted my computer.





I was greeted with a new error *Sad





Any idea on what to do next?



To dalchina.

Here's the result from the HD Tune Health tab.





I am currently doing an error scan with no damaged blocks after 15 minutes. I will leave it on and come back later and post the result.



To bro67.

Thank you for your suggestion. I will try it after the error scan is completed and post the results.



So to summarize I currently have this error when trying to boot my computer.

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system 32\hal.dll.

 

The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors

Boot up KYHI's Rescue disk then run Macrium. Click on "restore" tab then click on "Fix Windows Boot Problems". Reboot to see if the problem is fixed.