Computer Mayhem

[andafoo]

Current status of my laptop: Will not run windows and shows the following error

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1) Insert your windows installation disc and restart
2) Choose your language
3) Click repair your computer

File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration

I have a AsusG71 notebook running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.


Some history:

This all started when I plugged in an HDMI cable into my computer to project my screen onto my TV. This was the first time I used my HDMI port so I wasn't expecting anything. When I plugged it in, the image appeared on my TV, but my computer started getting very slow and pretty much froze. I hard rebooted and after that Windows hung on the loading screen (where the logo appears). I was unable to boot to safe mode (at least within a minute or so). After a second reboot, my computer recommended me go to recovery tools, where I tried a repair, which didn't work. I then ran a Chkdsk /r, which took a good 30 hours. After the Chkdsk ran, I restarted the computer bringing me to my current predicament - Windows Boot Manager.


System Recovery:

Since it instructed me to boot from my DVD, I did so and tried the repair features.
After loading it immediately gives me several messages stating: ""The file or directory C:\Boot is corrupt and unreadable. Please run Chkdsk utility."

Startup Repair returns "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically"

The detailed report gives me something like:
Problem Event Name: startupRepairOffline
Signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Signature 02: "
Signature 03: unknown
Signature 04: -1
Signature 05: External Media
Signature 06: 1
Signature 07: NoOsInstalled
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Additional Chkdsks do not work due to the volume being write protected.

Running Bootrec /fixmbr and /fixboot are successful, but /rebuildbcd returns that "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable. It successfully scans the windows installation at C:\Windows thought.

Attempting a sfc /scannow returns that "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run sfc again". However, this is always the case, regardless if I actually am repairing anything or not.



Can any think of what is the problem. All I wanted to do was watch some TV and now I'm faced with growing computer problems - yuck @_@.

 

[andafoo]

Here is some additional information. When running startup repair:

Session details:
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory =
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Tests:
Check for updates, successful
System disk test, successful
Disk failure diagnosis, successful
Disk metadata test, successful
Target OS test, successful

Root cause found: No OS files on disk
Repair action: partition table repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0x570

 

[Jonathan_King]

I wonder if your video card is bad, from your description. Is your computer still under warranty?

I suggest a system restore to get to a point before the troubles.

You may also try a hard drive test. HD Diagnostic

Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder. Boot from the CD, and run at least 5 passes.

 

[andafoo]

My computer under warranty for a few more weeks.

When I try a system restore it says:
To use system restore, you must specify which windows installation to restore."

From the startup repair:

"Root cause found: No OS files on disk
Repair action: partition table repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0x570"

The error code shows a corrupted windows? I can't restore my system... I could try to do a fresh install on my system partition.

Also, how would a bad video card give me the current symptoms?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try a hard drive test: HD Diagnostic

 

[andafoo]

I don't know if I can find out the make of my HD... don't really have screwdrivers with me x_X.

 

[Jonathan_King]

You're going to have to, I'm afraid. If you can find the brand, you can download the appropriate tool from the list I posted.

You can also take the hard drive to another machine and run SeaTools on it.

Either way, it requires taking the drive out.

 

[andafoo]

What leads you to question the hard drive?

Does a successful system disk test and disk failure test on startup repair give any indication of the state of the HD?

Is there any simple test to run in the command prompt or boot test to identify the problem? Also, from what I've provided, is it unclear to what is wrong?

 

[iseeuu]

I don't know if I can find out the make of my HD... don't really have screwdrivers with me x_X.

If you can reboot and enter the BIOS menu, the Bios can tell you what hard drive you have unless the hard drive has been trashed and can no longer communicate. Either way, you learn valuable info ...

Cheers!
Robert