Solved Boot Critical File c:\\ci.dll Corrupted - HELP!

[SilentCoder]

Sup guys, every time i turn on my PC or restart it jumps to Windows is loading file and then starts doing start up repair and later on it would show me error log:

Root cause found:
Boot critical file C:\\ci.dll is corrupt

And then it would say:

Repair action:
Repair the file

What should i do?

 

[SIW2]

Another one?

There have been a few of these lately.

CI checks for unsigned drivers and checks that various system files haven’t been mucked about with by any nasties.

Suggest you try running sfc SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

Try a malware scan from a bootable a/v Avira AntiVir Rescue System - Download

If necessary replace ci.dll from another source e.g installation dvd.

 

[SilentCoder]

Think i found root cause of the file corruption! I just reformatted my pc and it was fine but since i did 108 updates it started again so i think its the updates that is doing that. Imma say not to install those updates and see what happens.

 

[cleans911]

yup it all started after Microsoft updates...

 

[SkiorDie]

Same issue

I'm having this same issue to the absolute T. I'm unable to even go to the boot menu using F12. I cant even get my CD-ROM drive open to try to use the recovery CD. Windows just keeps booting to the startup repair with the root cause being C:\\ci.dll corrupted...Im certain this was a virus. Was browsing the web, clicked on something and 7 lagged and crashed then restarted into this nightmare...

 

[gregrocker]

Can you boot into Safe Mode to install and run Malwarebytes full scan?

If not run bootable AV scan: FREE Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CDs Download List

Once it's cleaned up run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot from Repair CD.
Then run Startup Repair repeatedly if it still won't start.

You can copy out your files using the DVD/Repair CD: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then run Factory Recovery or reinstall using DVD. Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[cleans911]

@ gregrocker I have tried all those methods and guess what ?!?!?! none of them worked except reinstalling a fresh copy of WIN 7. I did a full scan by malwarebyte antimalware, Superantispyware, Avira Antivirus and three more well known antiviruses. none of them catch any virus.... I ran a bootable AV scan. FAIL*** I did SFC/ scannow in command prompt. EPIC FAIL*** I copied ci.dll file from my brother's computer (he has the same win 7 as mine) through thumb drive, it works but when you reboot you machine you have the same problem. I tell you what: either install a fresh copy of your OS or upgrade it. then turn off Microsoft automatic updates for a week or month... you are all set..

 

[SIW2]

It shouldn't have any effect on being able to boot from cd/dvd.

Your installed Windows is not involved at all in that process.

Skiordie

I'm having this same issue to the absolute T. I'm unable to even go to the boot menu using F12. I cant even get my CD-ROM drive open to try to use the recovery CD. Windows just keeps booting to the startup repair with the root cause being C:\\ci.dll corrupted...Im certain this was a virus. Was browsing the web, clicked on something and 7 lagged and crashed then restarted into this nightmare...

 

[SIW2]

Sounds like it may well be an update issue from earlier description - yours sounds different.

If it is an update, only way round that is to roll back to before the update - try system restore from bootable media first.

 

[ksewing]

Corrupt CI.DLL -- my sad fix

Just found this forum, story is the same -- crashed while streaming video from an unfamiliar website, couldn't boot past the recovery options which identified corrupt ci.dll file. Tried several restore points, no luck. Used command prompt to find and copy to USB some of my files, but not all of them -- couldn't get to my desktop files at all, command prompt wouldn't recognize the path, even though I could see the correct directory -- still don't know why. Booted from and ran an AVG live CD, found nothing, but I still suspect a virus (have been running MS Security Essentials only). . .finally had to download Linux Ubuntu Live CD, boot from it, find my important files and copy them to USB drive. Now, after countless attempts to recover, I'm formatting and starting over. At least I got my files, though, and managed to use Ubuntu without a problem, even though I'm not much of a techie -- it was easier than I thought it would be. Having two computers sure helped.
k.

 

[gregrocker]

Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[ksewing]

wow, great info, thanks!

 

[fedupwith7]

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...-dll-corrupt-file-crash-help.html#post1521883
If you are getting constantly looping Startup Repair in ordinary boot and in SAFE mode and a report of a ci.dll problem, see this thread. The ci.dll file is not the trouble. It opens a kernel file and if that has a problem you will get the ci.dll fault report.
The problem is usually caused by downloading stuff from the net that contains a very nasty rootkit virus/trojan. It is often in a .rar file. This is not spotted by a lot of virus killers, It overwrites your boot and drive headers so there is no easy way to kill it.
My thread gives you more info on what to do and what not to waste your time on.

 

[Iamien]

Just going to be honest here about how I got the infection, detected it, and removed it.


I am usually a very careful browser but I got sloppy and picked up the the boo/tdss.m trojan while browsing some of the more dangerous pornsites out there in search of legal but obscure content. While browsing my pc crashed and re-started in Startup Repair tool, kept looping and when I looked in details it was the ci.dll issue.

Found this thread and did not have a way to open up HD and remove it "remotely" by opening it as a slave drive on another PC.

I used the Avira Rescue Bootdisk to confirm I had the boo/tdss.m rootkit.

After searching around how to repair boot records I found out about Bootrec.exe (a built in windows executable)

After getting into the command prompt via a install disc(you can also access it after the Startup Repair tool "gives up" on trying to remove it "Advanced Tools"), I was able to run 'bootrec /fixmbr' which re-wrote the boot sector.

That fixed the ci.dll error, allowing me to boot into windows and also apparently completely removed the trojan as I am not getting anymore detections on any scan. I am glad this worked as I have lost my win 7 upgrade disc/key and would of been without a legitimate license if I had to re-install.

 

[gregrocker]

Install, update and run full scan with Malwarebytes
to be sure you've gotten rid of infection since bootrec commands cannot remove it.

Next uninstall your failed AV, install Microsoft Security Essentials,
run a full scan.

 

[Progeusz]

I don't see any option how I can send PMs here so...

Iamien, THANK YOU.
So ****ing much thank you. Man, you saved me. Awesome, fix was instantaneous, I typed the command, clicked Enter, restarted PC and everything works fine.