Clean Windows 10 install due to corrupt file system/no boot

Grettings All,

I'm currently working on a laptop for a friend that has Windows 10 and is in a non bootable state with missing files, directories, reset options and is stuck in the "Unable to Fix" state. I'm pretty sure the issue is related to BCD and boot options but all attempts have failed to rebuild the boot sector. (Been on it for 2 days)

Laptop info:

Toshiba Satellite
Model: C75D-B7297
OS: Windows 10 Home (I think)
Version: Can't Obtain. (No Windows Folder... no winver command)
Bios: UEFI Mode

Tried to reset the PC back to factory but the program gives the error code 0xc0000225 which I can not fix by the methods mentioned in several forums and I can't copy the boot files from the recovery disk to C: as it only contains 5 directories and no system files or Windows directories. So I downloaded a bootable Windows 10 Home iso disk using the Media Creation Tool (DVD) and was going to do a fresh install but I have a few questions before I proceed.

1. Will the Activation License transfer to new install? (I think it's embedded on the UEFI chip)
2. Should I remove the partition that contained "Recovery Files" for the reset (assuming yes..delete all but primary)
3. Stay with Windows 10 default drivers or load Toshiba's?

*Note*

Commands like bootrec /FixBoot, BCDBoot fail. Some settings like Startup Settings, Startup Repair missing from the "Troubleshoot" tab which sometimes returns an error clicking "Advanced". All Autofix methods fail. Chkdsk passed. SFC scan returns a "Could Not Perform Request" message.

Booting from the recovery disk and checking C: drive I only have the following folders/files in that directory:

1. AeriaGames (DIR) Some game they downloaded
2. Logs (DIR)
3. Perflogs (Dir)
4. Program Files (Dir)
5. Users (Dir)
6. Recovery.txt (File) Nothing in it.... 0 bytes

Which would explain errors like the scan/boot command as there is no C:\Windows folder.....lol

Anyway if you guys have any input please reply as this is my first attempt at a Windows 10 repair/reinstall (I'm a 7 guy)

Thanks!

dalchina said:

Recommended before you start: check the disk to make sure it's ok. See below.

1. Will the Activation License transfer to new install?
Yes- normal case- aheld by MS's activation servers against hardware id.

2. Should I remove the partition that contained "Recovery Files"
If you never intend to restore the PC to 'as bought' you can remove that.

Not my PC but I'm assuming it may be corrupt as well.

dalchina said:

3. Stay with Windows 10 default drivers or load Toshiba's?
Windows/MS maintains all the basic drivers you need. Only change these if particular problems. However, if there's a particular Toshiba utility you want to use, you can of course download and use that.

If you wish to recover data from the PC you could use e.g. this useful boot disk:
Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

Downloading now for future use. Already saved what I could via XCopy

dalchina said:

You can use HD Tune on this disk to check the disk(s) on the PC.
(Health, Error scan).

Only using the PRO version and installing. Need a portable version that supports 10 correct?

dalchina said:

Note: you could also find out what version of Windows was on there by navigating to e.g. explorer.exe, rt click, properties, detail- except you say you can't find a Windows folder.

Correct. No C:\Windows folder

dalchina said:

Note that when you boot a PC like that, your Windows partition will almost certainly not be C:

If that would be the case I would not be able to see those other 5 directories that reside on C:. Using DISKPART displayed only disk0 with 4 volumes and partition command matched.

1. Vol 0 D: drive with the DVD/ISO
2. Vol 1 C:\ NTFS Partition
3. Vol 2 ESP Fat32 (EFI Partition) Hidden
4. Vol 3 NTFS (Recovery Partition) Hidden

4 Partitions listed for disk0

1. Part 1 System= Vol 2
2. Part 2 Reserved= 16MB)
3. Part 3 Primary= Vol 1
4. Part 4 Recovery= Vol3

Thanks for all your input gents!

In the end I wasn't able to save the install as the system was just too corrupt. Crystaldisk showed the "Warning" for the "Reallocated Sectors" but was close enough to the threshold that I just did a "Clean Install" of 10 over it. I might have replaced it if it was mine but they didn't want to and I have a hard drive in my system with that warning for over 3 years so you just don't know.

Anyway thanks again as I now have new tools and knowledge into Windows 10 and if I run into another hassle I'll be sure to shoot a message!

Marking Resolved

I understand someone NOT wanting to pay for a new drive -- as I support a bunch of PCs for my extended family and no one wants to pay for ANYTHING.

But ... I had a 3-month old Seagate drive start spitting out SMART warnings, and I ignored them (because it was so new) and within a week, it was DEAD.

With 1TB drives costing under $30 these days, it's not like it's major money to replace a drive.

Just saying ... when their drive crashes and they lose everything on it, they will wish they had spent the $30.

Bree,
What information have you seen on failure of hard drives not due to hardware failure?