Windows 10: The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors

I came home one day and got a blue screen when trying to start up my computer. The error said "a required device isn't connected". I tried solving this problems in a lot of ways but I think I only made things worse cause now the error says

"Your PC/Device needs to be repaired

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

File: \Boot\BCD

Error code: 0x000000f

You’ll need to use recovery tools. If you don’t have any installation media, contact your PC administrator or PC/Device Manufacturer."

I've read through countless peoples posts about the same problem and different possible solutions but haven't found anything to solve my problem.

I’ve booted from a recovery drive, selected ‘Repair your computer’ and tried to rebuild the MBR and BCD via the Command Prompt Option. I’ve run the following commands:

bootrec /fixmbdr
The operation completed successfully.

bootrec /scanos
Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 0
The operation completed successfully.

bootrec /rebuildbcd
Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 0
The operation completed successfully.

bcdedit /export c:\bcdbackup
The store export operation has failed.
The system cannot find the file specified.

I've tried using Kyhi's recovery tools (Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums) but I'm not sure what to do with it to fix my problem. When I try to use easyBCD I can't locate the BCD Registry that is supposed to be in the Boot folder.




In MiniTool Partition Wizard it seems to me like everything is fine.




Basically I have Kyhi's recovery tools but I don't know what to do with them. My hope is that anyone of you can tell me what to do.

Please help me. Thank you.

:)

 

Configuration data is missing or contains errors EFI.Microsoft/Boot/ BCD error 0cx0000185

Glad to know that you were able to resolve the issue and we appreciate you for posting the suggestions that have helped you as well. I am sure it would help others with the same issue.

Regards.

 

Configuration data is missing or contains errors EFI.Microsoft/Boot/ BCD error 0cx0000185

I would find his suggestions to be very helpful but my laptop is a Lenovo IdeaPad and no other a Dell. I was however able to fix my laptop after a little more searching. I found that it came with a factory master reset button. Here are the steps I followed,
and now have my laptop working again.

 

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.

 

Thank you for your answer.

I believe I've tried that with no avail but I will try it again when I get home to make sure and post the results here.

 

Basics- Make sure your disk is ok.
Please run HD Tune from Kyhi's disk and post the result (Health tab)
You can also do a surface scan with that. (Error Scan)

 

Thank you, I'll make sure to try that as soon as I get home.

 

See this about fixing the BCD. That database can get hosed up and with that, comes the headaches. Repair Windows BCD

 

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.

 

For interest see:
How To Fix Hal.dll Errors in Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista

some of which you've attempted. Here are two points from that I noted- feel free to explore more.

Note the point about checking the boot order in your BIOS.
That also points to this:
How to Use Bootsect /nt60 to Update the VBC to BOOTMGR

You're approaching the point where I'd suggest:
1. Image your Windows partition (I assume that's your 'New Big Disk'). (Using e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) ).
2. Clean install Windows, check it boots ok.
3. Replace the new Windows partition by restoring your image to it.
4. Run Startup Repair.

 

About the "hal.dll" error:

First remove the external USB stick (Win 10 PE) from your PC's USB connections - then try to reboot your PC one time more!

 

Thank you both, I will try what you've said tomorrow.

 

I tried your tip Gordon7 but still got the same error.

I followed How to Use Bootsect /nt60 to Update the VBC to BOOTMGR and got the correct after running bootsect /nt60 sys. However I still get the same error.

Regarding your suggestion.
My New Big Disk is 1 TB, so how can I Image it? Do I need a disk with the same size? Cause I don't have that unfortunately *Sad
Also, for a clean install of Windows, would I need the product key? Cause I don't know it and I don't know how to get it.

Thank you for all the help so far

 

Hi, Imaging (normally- there is another option which you don't need) produces a compressed copy of the used space on your disk.
So think approx 50-60% of the used space. (Note: photos, videos don't compress).
I recommend you select the option to verify your image.

So following that:
1. Image your Windows partition (I assume that's your 'New Big Disk'). (Using e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) ).
2. Clean install Windows, check it boots ok.
3. Replace the new Windows partition by restoring your image to it.
4. Run Startup Repair.

In the Tutorial section there's a tutorial on downloading an ISO.

Win 10 activation is automatic in most cases on clean install; no key. Details are held by MS's registration servers.

 

Hi, where should I put this image? On another disk? Cause I don't have another disk and I don't know if my USB is big enough. I have a Windows 10 ISO already so that's no problem. What would happen if I just did a clean install of Windows with that? Would I lose all data on my disk, and that's why you want to do an Image of the disk first to restore it?

Actually... I just realized something a bit embarrassing. I think I have an SSD as well that should be plugged into the computer, and that's where I have my Windows installation. I think the original problem (required device not found) might've been because it wasn't connected properly. I've had problems with this computer before, but they've always solved themselves after a while, sometimes magically. So maybe my SSD is loose and that's the problem, and now I'm just trying to repair a Windows installation on my HD (New Big Disk) that doesn't exist?