Solved A patch is preventing the system from starting - Error code = 0 x 490

[ConMac]

I recently had to replace some bad memory which caused my home built system to fail to boot into Windows. I have a dual-boot (XP on one HD, and Win7 on a separate HD). The system has been running smoothly for more than a year until the failed RAM module. I can boot into XP, but not into Win7, not even Safe Mode.

On startup, it fails to boot into Windows 7. I get "Windows Error Recovery" with 2 options: Launch Startup Repair (recommended) and Start Windows Normally

When I choose Launch Setup Repair, it says it cannot repair this computer automatically. The Problem Details are:

Problem Even Name: StartupRepairOffline
Problem Signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 03: Unknown
Problem Signature 04: 21200566
Problem Signatuer 05: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 06: 19
Problem Signature 07: BadPatch
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID 1033

I hit Finish, then it shuts down.

Then I boot into the system DVD, and selected Repair your computer, which gives me the System Recovery Options:

I selected Startup Repair, and every test was completed successfully with a 0 x 0, except one, and it said:

Root cause found:
A patch is preventing the system from starting
Repair action: System files integrity check and repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0 x 490

The odd thing is, when I repeat this test, this same error code appears, but later on it also says:
Root cause found:
Startup repair has tried several times but still cannot determine the cause of the problem

I tried "bootrec /fixmbr" and "bootrec /fixboot" and got "The operation completed successfully messages" for both, but they didn't work.

I also tried "bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr" and got the message: "Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode. Successfully updated disk bootcode."

I also ran"bootrec /scanos" and "bootrec /rebuildbcd" from the command prompt and got the message: "Total identified Windows installations: 0"

Could this be my problem? That even though Windows 7 is listed above as "(recovered)" in the Windows RE, that maybe Windows 7 is just corrupted beyond repair? I'm hoping that's not the case.

In addition, this issue has wiped all my restore points as well as system images. Any held would be greatly appreciated!

:sarc:

 

[writhziden]

I suspect that since you have a dual boot setup, the wrong partition may be marked active. Please run the command prompt in System Recovery Options and type Diskpart. Type

list disk​

and take note of the disk number that contains your operating system. Then type

select disk *​

where * should be replaced with the appropriate disk number. Type

list partition​

and post back what the list gives.

 

[ConMac]

Disk Management

The first image is XP's Disk Management; the 2nd is Partition Wizard. I set the Win7 partition as active a year ago and is has been running smoothly, but the the PW screenshot shows both as active, and that the XP partition as the boot partition. Does this look right to you?

 

[writhziden]

See http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html step 8. I was not aware you had PW. That may be a good step for you with what you have tried.

gregrocker is probably the best we have with these problems. Read through all the steps in that tutorial for anything you may not have already tried.

 

[ConMac]

I will do as you suggested, thanks!

 

[ConMac]

I will do as you suggested, thanks!

By the way, if I make the XP partition inactive, could that work and permit Windows 7 to boot? I'm just trying to cover all my bases.

 

[writhziden]

It may very well help to only have the Windows 7 system partition as active.

 

[ConMac]

None of the above suggestions worked, so I restored a system backup that I made two weeks before this issue began using EaseUS Todo Backup. This great bit of software installed a boot option that permitted me to recover my system...and so far it is stable (keeping my fingers crossed!). Thanks again for all your help! Cheers!!

 

[writhziden]

No problem. I am very happy to see you create system images on a fairly regular basis.

System images save users a lot of grief. I back mine up once a week. Some people I know do it daily, but I find that a bit excessive. While I would be bummed to lose a week of work, it would probably only set me back a day or two. It is usually possible to accomplish work 70-80% faster the second time around after learning it the first time.