Cannot boot HP laptop Error Code 0xc000000f

tpriest · 05 Jul 2018

Trying to fix a friend's HP 255 G4 laptop. Last week it suddenly stopped booting, she asked to have a look.

On boot it came up with blue screen

Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed
Error code 0xc000000f

At another time it blue screened with

The operating system couldn't be loaded because the system registry file is missing or contains errors
File \WINDOWS\system32\config\system
Error Code 0xc000014c

I've successfully loaded from a Windows 10 recovery USB stick in my toolkit.

I've then tried Repairing the installation; after selecting Windows 10, it goes away diagnosing the system for (seemingly) ever.
I went to a command prompt and was able to see the C: drive, and the various files and folders. using DIR. Then took the opportunity to copy off all the user files in <username>/documents so at least she hasn't lost her files. I opened a few of the files on my PC and they're fine.

I ran DISKPART
It shows 2 discs.
On Disc 0 there are 5 partitions:
# Type Size
1 System 260MB
2 Reserved 16MB
3 Primary 449MB
4 Recovery 1792MB
5 Primary 13MB

Looks like #3 is the main partition.

Tried a Macrium Recovery Boot disc. When I went to the Fix boot errors option, it sat there scanning and failing to find a Windows installation.

Have also tried the sequence suggested here

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-performance-winpc/bcd-error-file-bootbcd-error-code-0xc000014c/2f7b2495-a73f-47de-85de-2be0beff2670

bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /rebuildbcd

The first 2 complete ok. When trying the /ScanOs command it sits there for a long long time. Perhaps it's going through a similar process that Macrium did, and having the same lack of success.

It seems to me that somehow the markers or whatever that identify the existence of a Windows installation are missing or corrupt. Though clearly the files are there.

Although I've got the data off I could hopefully rebuild the laptop, but it came with some apps that she would lose - she hasn't got any install discs.

Any thoughts on what I could to perhaps resurrect the laptop?

Edit: Just noticed that there is no BOOT folder in the C: root directory. Significant?

Many thanks

dalchina · 05 Jul 2018

First job- check the disk. Something caused this.

Create Kyhi's boot disk - top of the Software and Apps section here.
Boot the PC from that.
Run HD Tune- look at the Smart Params and the Error Scan tab and run that.
Post the results.

Launch Minitool Partition Wizard and post a screenshot of the partitions, making sure text in all columns is fully visible.

tpriest · 05 Jul 2018

Thanks, just downloading the file, will follow up tomorrow.

dalchina · 05 Jul 2018

Make sure you know how to create a bootable disk from the iso. E.g. see instructions on using Rufus (free).

Be prepared for the case that this is unrecoverable- depending on the state of the disk, you can use Kyhi's disk -> Win 10 to back up any data. There could be far more than is in Documents.

Examine explorer.exe on the PC's disk- rt click, properties, details to find the build number of the Win 10 on the PC. Post that.

I'd have thought it would be possible to download most progs- there's a question of the license code of course.

Note that you can only do an in-place upgrade repair install if you can boot normally, so that's not an option.

tpriest · 05 Jul 2018

ScanOs eventually completed successfully.
Total identified Windows installations: 0

Will follow up late tomorrow (hopefully, visitors and wife permitting!)

tpriest · 06 Jul 2018

OK. Now run HD Tune:
SMART params
Attachment 194743
Should the partition table be empty?

Error Scan results
Attachment 194742
So 6 damaged areas, 0.2% damaged. Clearly zero would be best, thoughts on trying to continue with existing HDD?
Minitool Partition Wizard report:
Attachment 194747

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

Many thanks.

dalchina · 06 Jul 2018

Hi, the Health tab on HD Tune shows the SMART params. (There'll probably be a slider to see the rest).
Please post all.
Clearly there's a problem. How big is another question. HDDs are shipped with spare blocks to allow for manufacturing and progressive failure.

Your EFI partition should be marked Active and Boot. Boot is missing.
Your Windows partition should be marked as System. It isn't.

There appears to be an OEM Recovery partition (large).
The Recovery partition created by Windows (500Mb or less) appears to be missing (= no automatic repair or Advanced startup options).

Examine explorer.exe on the PC's disk- rt click, properties, details to find the build number of the Win 10 on the PC. Post that.
(As viewed now, the drive letter probably won't be C:)

tpriest · 06 Jul 2018

Thanks for the quick response.

I should have mentioned that Explorer.exe shows File version 10.0.15063.1058 (looks like W10 Version 1703)

The Health tab is completely empty.

What's the best(?) way of fixing the partition issues? Indeed can it be done safely?

Thanks
.

dalchina · 06 Jul 2018

Assume the disk is dying.
Compare:

Cannot boot HP laptop Error Code 0xc000000f-1.jpg

Could be it's not been updating for some time- any idea why not?

dalchina · 06 Jul 2018

Your easiest option at this point would be a new disk and reinstall Windows.
Ensure key data is copied off.
There's an outside possibility of rescuing C: if it's not corrupted, but I doubt it will prove feasible.

An interesting way to assess that would be:
a. Connect a large enough USB disk
b. Launch Macrium Reflect from Kyhi's disk
c. Try to create a disk image of the Windows partition only. Not the others.

In creating an image, Macrium looks for CRC errors on the disk. If it can't read the disk, you get an error message.

If creating the image is successful, not only do you have a backup, but also maybe- (but I doubt it) a way to recover the PC.

In any event, you need a working disk in the PC