boot error \Boot\BCD

[hawk62]

Hi.Two month old Toshiba laptop.On boot got file \Boot\BCD, an error occurred while attempting to read boot configuration data.computer came with no restore disk.son has been in hospital so it wasn't used recently.odd thing,wasn't able to access safe mode.downloaded win7 disc hoping to repair but wasn't able to do anything with disc.wondering if it's hard drive related?any suggestions would be appreciated.thanks.

 

[writhziden]

To access the recovery partition on a Toshiba laptop:
1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Hold down the zero key.
3. Turn on the laptop while holding down the zero key.
4. Release the zero key when the computer beeps for you to do so or when the recovery warning screen appears.

Before doing the above recovery, recommend backing up any important files. I recommend PartedMagic for you to do so. Download and burn the ISO for PartedMagic to a CD/DVD. Once you have burnt the CD/DVD for PartedMagic, make sure the BIOS is set to load from the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) first. If you need help accessing the BIOS, let us know.

 

[hawk62]

writhziden.the tip for getting into recovery partition worked.however,it went through installation process,said it was successful,hit finish to start windows and same error as before with booting.seems strange.

 

[writhziden]

Have you tried resetting the BIOS to defaults?

 

[hawk62]

hi writhziden.did bios defaults like you said and windows started and is finishing installing devices,etc.when it has to restart,error message keeps coming back.have to go into bios then it'll start again,even though i tell it to save and exit.i know the salesman mentioned this toshiba was a new model.do you think bios might need update?you've been right on the money so far.thanks.

 

[writhziden]

A BIOS update may be in order. Do the following first to see if it resolves the problem:

1. Shut down and turn off the computer
2. Unplug the computer from the AC Adapter and then remove the battery
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to reset BIOS software connections to the hardware and clear any corrupted temporary memory
4. Plug the battery back in and then plug the AC adapter back in
5. Turn on the computer and enter the BIOS
6. Reset to defaults
7. Save and exit the BIOS
8. Start up Windows and see if restarting continues to cause issues.
9. If you still have problems with Windows booting, update the BIOS via the Toshiba site by searching for your model to find any driver/software/BIOS updates.

 

[Arc]

Download windows 7 system repair disk from the link specified in in the 1st post of the thread http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/182947-win7-repair-disk-download.html#post1550905 . Make it sure that you have downloaded the appropriate version for your system, i.e. 64 bit). Now Burn it in a blank CD using imgburn, and perform a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html using it.

If it fails, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html must work.

Let us know what happened.

 

[writhziden]

Download windows 7 system repair disk from the link specified in in the 1st post of the thread http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/182947-win7-repair-disk-download.html#post1550905 . Make it sure that you have downloaded the appropriate version for your system, i.e. 64 bit). Now Burn it in a blank CD using imgburn, and perform a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html using it.

If it fails, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html must work.

Let us know what happened.

Just to add a little more information for the above: try what Arc recommends either before or after my steps, it doesn't really matter, but I do recommend doing my steps as listed to determine if it is BIOS related if Arc's steps do not resolve the problem. If you do Arc's steps first, check to see if the problem is resolved before proceeding with my steps so we know which fixed the issue.

Also, for the link to the repair discs, they are in the middle of the page after the instructions for creating your own repair discs. Good luck!

Thanks Arc for the additional information.

 

[theog]

hit finish to start windows and same error as before with booting.seems strange.

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

 

[Arc]

Thanks Arc for the additional information.

You are welcome And you are right that we should try for the comparatively easier working fixes before going for BIOS upgrades etc .

 

[hawk62]

Hi guys.Through pressing 0 last night when it was setting up and had to restart,this morning everything finally set up.left it running to make rescue dvd's.the last time it had to restart,i pressed 0 and screen came up,said windows didn't shut down properly and gave option to start normally along with others,maybe that was safemode.so it seems at the moment even with error i can get running when that screen comes up.did d/l repair disc but i'll try Arc's suggestion and see what happen's and if i need to try writhziden's post.diagnostics was ran at Staple's here in Canada and hd ok.thanks for the help guys,i see lots of people posting on net with same thing.will get back to you with results.

 

[hawk62]

ok.a bit lengthy explanation.tried repair option on disc i had downloaded.didn't list hard drive.clicked next anyway and although it found startup problem,it couldn't repair.system was really slow and son tried to record video playing guitar but sound cutting out,freezing etc.when i tried to press 0 to start windows as i had done numerous times,all that came up was recovery option to reinstall,no operating system.this afternoon,when windows was working,i created restore discs.since i couldn't get into windows,i figured i'd use these discs.i put in the windows recovery environment one and had option of toshiba recovery or system recovery.i chose system recovery option and windows install came back.it said it found and would repair startup problem it found.went ahead with that and now have shut off and restarted windows 5-6 times with no more \Boot\BCD error.problem solved.also,performance issues are gone and running like new.don't know if toshiba recovery option would have fixed error or not but if others,and there are others,have that boot error try system option instead of toshiba recovery option or other oem brand option listed first.thanks for all the help.i wiil visit other forums and try to help.i know it was driving me nuts.thanks again.

 

[Arc]

now have shut off and restarted windows 5-6 times with no more \Boot\BCD error.problem solved.also,performance issues are gone and running like new.

Very good news

 

[writhziden]

ok.a bit lengthy explanation.tried repair option on disc i had downloaded.didn't list hard drive.clicked next anyway and although it found startup problem,it couldn't repair.system was really slow and son tried to record video playing guitar but sound cutting out,freezing etc.when i tried to press 0 to start windows as i had done numerous times,all that came up was recovery option to reinstall,no operating system.this afternoon,when windows was working,i created restore discs.since i couldn't get into windows,i figured i'd use these discs.i put in the windows recovery environment one and had option of toshiba recovery or system recovery.i chose system recovery option and windows install came back.it said it found and would repair startup problem it found.went ahead with that and now have shut off and restarted windows 5-6 times with no more \Boot\BCD error.problem solved.also,performance issues are gone and running like new.don't know if toshiba recovery option would have fixed error or not but if others,and there are others,have that boot error try system option instead of toshiba recovery option or other oem brand option listed first.thanks for all the help.i wiil visit other forums and try to help.i know it was driving me nuts.thanks again.

Well done on the troubleshooting! Thanks for posting back what worked.

 

[hawk62]

well.success was short lived.a few hours after posting,computer froze,error message that took up the whole screen only stayed on for a few seconds so was unable to read it all,then back to no windows access,and boot error back.tried recovery discs but upon waking up had recovery error on screen.boot error back.writhziden,did your tip about holding down start button without power,and it helped get into setup through 0 key as it wasn't letting me beforehand.will try again.feel like jumping out window but am only on second floor so that won't work.i'll post back

 

[writhziden]

well.success was short lived.a few hours after posting,computer froze,error message that took up the whole screen only stayed on for a few seconds so was unable to read it all,then back to no windows access,and boot error back.tried recovery discs but upon waking up had recovery error on screen.boot error back.writhziden,did your tip about holding down start button without power,and it helped get into setup through 0 key as it wasn't letting me beforehand.will try again.feel like jumping out window but am only on second floor so that won't work.i'll post back

Nah, should throw the computer out the window. Your life is worth more than its. Only kidding; I do not recommend throwing computers out windows as you may hit a passerby. It is fun to throw computers out Windows, though...Hardy har har (too late and overworked puts me in moods).

Have you tried the BIOS update yet? Before you do the update, get Windows running as stable as you possibly can so the update will go through. I realize that's kinda a conundrum with the issues you are having, but do your best.

 

[hawk62]

hi guys.tried using restore discs i created when i got it running the other day.started process at 11pm last night and it finished at 5pm today.said restart to complete installation,but when it restarts i get the boot error.thus it won't complete setup.shouldn't reinstalling windows like i have been doing fixed the boot issue?is the boot info eg. the \Boot\BCD in windows itself?or is that boot file or whatever it is part of bios?just don't see why it doesn't get fixed with reinstall.can i use retail win7 to install since it doesn't come with bloatware and activate over phone using my product activation key on bottom of laptop?i've got a couple copies off net to use repair function.if i did this would it void warranty maybe?i guess bring it to staples since i bought extended warranty and don't know if using retail to install if that voids warranty.driving me nuts so i'm done.happy new year to all.

 

[writhziden]

hi guys.tried using restore discs i created when i got it running the other day.started process at 11pm last night and it finished at 5pm today.said restart to complete installation,but when it restarts i get the boot error.thus it won't complete setup.shouldn't reinstalling windows like i have been doing fixed the boot issue?is the boot info eg. the \Boot\BCD in windows itself?or is that boot file or whatever it is part of bios?just don't see why it doesn't get fixed with reinstall.can i use retail win7 to install since it doesn't come with bloatware and activate over phone using my product activation key on bottom of laptop?i've got a couple copies off net to use repair function.if i did this would it void warranty maybe?i guess bring it to staples since i bought extended warranty and don't know if using retail to install if that voids warranty.driving me nuts so i'm done.happy new year to all.

Making software changes should not void the warranty. Warranties are typically hardware related. If you're concerned about it voiding the extended warranty, contact Staples and ask. I would be very surprised if it did void your warranty, though. Those tactics are typically only used on cell phones and I have never heard a case of them being used on computers.

If you do http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html, follow these steps:
1. When the Windows installation starts (before you actually click on Install), hit Shift + F10 to access a command prompt.
2. Find the drive containing Windows by typing the following:

c:
dir
d:
dir
etc. until you find the drive letter with Windows on it​

3. I'll assume the drive letter is c:, so next type into the command prompt

format c:​

4. This will do a full format, which may take a while, and it will re-allocate the hard disk so free space exists only in good sectors of the disk.
5. When the format is complete, begin installation.

If you have questions, just ask.

Edit: and let us know when you have installed Windows 7, installed all updates, installed all the latest drivers, and installed the programs you want on the machine (typically a full day's work). We will help you set up a backup image on an external drive so if you have a system crash in the future, you can recover your machine back to where it was after all your hard work had been completed.

 

[hawk62]

well,i gave toshiba a call and have to drop it off at an authorized repair shop here tomorrow.actually know a few computer repair guys but usually try fixing myself before calling them just to gain more knowledge about fixing them.good thing is that my buddy's brother owns the business that i have to bring it to,so i'll be able to find exact cause and remedy and let you know.thanks for the help.

 

[writhziden]

well,i gave toshiba a call and have to drop it off at an authorized repair shop here tomorrow.actually know a few computer repair guys but usually try fixing myself before calling them just to gain more knowledge about fixing them.good thing is that my buddy's brother owns the business that i have to bring it to,so i'll be able to find exact cause and remedy and let you know.thanks for the help.

That's awesome; hopefully the solution is a fairly easy one. Glad to hear you will keep us updated.