Solved Toshiba Laptop, All Windows I Install return boot\bcd error

[Seeker619]

Im Lost now.. I've read many threads similar to my problem, or exactly like my problem. Ive tried it all, and done at least 12 Different installs. heres the info:

Bought it brand new, was unaware of making the restoration disks until it was too late.
I had a virus, so I did "clean all" in diskpart, at the cmd prompt. So i can start fresh. I have a retail version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, which was the original OS. went through the installation process fine, until the reboot where its supposed to go through the second step of the installation. on reboot i get a "bcd\boot" error. Ive tried repairing the MBR, the Boot record, ive tried using align=1024, ive tried using paragon, and acronis to fix the boot record. Ive tried using boot managers. Ive tried installing windows vista, ive tried windows 7 ultimate 64 and 32 bit versions.. the only OS i can get to install is XP.. Im at a loss, ive tried EVERY single thing all the threads here suggested doing..

Is there a way to wipe all the TOSHIBA stuff from the bios, so the computer thinks its a generic comp? im guessing toshiba ID #s not matching the retail version of windows arent matching??

I dont know what im missing, ive done it all. minus calling toshiba to have them fix it. i dont want to take that step. Ive run diagnostics on all my hardware, nothing is damaged.

Lost,
Ralph.

 

[Seeker619]

of course of done : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

 

[Ztruker]

What is the exact error message you receive?

 

[Seeker619]

Windows Boot Manager

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 your computer.

2. Choose your language settings, and then click “Next.”

3. Click “Repair your computer.”

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configurations data.

Enter= Continue ESC=Exit

 

[Ztruker]

Try following gregrocker's tutorial: Getting a Perfect Reinstall of Factory OEM

Should work, even though you have a retail version.

 

[Seeker619]

awesome, something new i haven't tried.. thanks man. ill let you know tomorrow if it works.

 

[gregrocker]

A little newer version here in actual tutorial form: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I'd use the latest official ISO download to have SP1 and latest hotfixes.

In addition I'd reset BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

While in BIOS setup check SATA controller setting. Try AHCI first. Set DVD or USB drive first to boot in BIOS depending on which installer medium you use.

 

[Ztruker]

Thanks Greg. I've updated my Tips database so the next time I'll point to the tutorial.

 

[Seeker619]

now when editing the bios, what is it that needs to be put in as far as the key? i have a toshiba l645d-s4040 with a win 7 home prem 64 bit.

 

[Seeker619]

i have my sticker on the bottom. etc.

 

[kegobeer]

The BIOS has nothing to do with your Windows COA/key.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you read the steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Everything you need is in the tutorial in the blue link above.

If you have any questions, ask back, but nothing is said about editing your BIOS. Can you follow the steps?

 

[Seeker619]

ya i can follow steps.. apparently i wasnt clear.. no matter what i install.. and i followed the guide. i downloaded win 7 home prem 64bit from my digital life, went thru the first phase of the install which actually went faster then usual. (this last time i used the copy from my digital life), then when it went to reload for the 2nd phase of the install process i got the boot\bcd error.. 0xc000000f.. i tried rebooting 2 times, same error.. so then i booted from cd and tried to do the startup repair.. the 1st phase startup repair where it looks for OS failed.. no os found.. then i went to advance options and tried startup repair.. failed.. so i rebooted from cd again, and this time clicked install.. just to see the partitions that were made during the install.. i had the recovery part which was C:\. and the 2nd partition.,.. i backed out of the install but didnt reboot, and went to repair.. this time it found the Os and when i clicked the repair and reboot (or something close) it said failed to save something.. so i went to advance startup repair, it attempted repair, and it rebooted.

this time it went to the 2nd process.. which went along fine... then on reboot i got 0xc000000E.. did the same steps above, (the reboot twice, then install to look at the parts, then backed out. and did repair.) and i got to the desktop fine, installed some drivers.. then on reboot it did same thing 000000E.

 

[Seeker619]

side note, when i got to the desktop my last time, the startup repair talked about D:\Windows and d:\boot. etc.. something like that. anyway refrencing drive D: as the OS drive.. when i did actually get logged in, my OS was on C:.. go figure.

 

[kegobeer]

If you aren't particularly attached to the restore partition, I would just click advanced drive options during the install and delete all the partitions on the disk, then create a new partition - Windows 7 will automatically create a 100MB system partition when it creates the partition you chose. That should stop the BCD error during boot/install.

 

[Seeker619]

and i talked about editing bios, cause during this month of trying to actually get this laptop working again. I read something about SLIC? SLP? something like that, talking about modding the bio.. i dont remember.. so many hours spent on this. ive done all kinds of tutorials and stuff.

 

[Seeker619]

hehe that was the first thing i did.. i did a CLEAN ALL in diskpart.

thats when this all started.

 

[kegobeer]

That might be, but I'm talking about removing all partitions during the install process - not doing anything via command line using diskpart. It sounds like the MBR is completely fubar, so this might solve the problem. You can also download hard drive tools from the manufacturer that will allow you to destroy and create partitions, which might also help fix your issue.

 

[Seeker619]

and this last install i did, which has come the closest to getting it to work yet, does have the reserved 100mg part.. but before install i deleted all partitions. so there was the 1 unformated part that was 250gb.. and let win 7 do its thing.

 

[gregrocker]

If you wiped the HD with Diskpart then the boot sector was cleaned and any interference here should have been wiped out.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals. Reset BIOS to defaults: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS. While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI to try install. Set HD to boot first, use one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to trigger DVD or Flash installer. If you've tried DVD, next try flash installer in earlier tutorial.

Next I would wipe again with Diskpart Clean Command which is instant and to get another clean slate, then use Step 2.2 here to format and mark Active a partition to try install to: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If this fails report back any error message verbatim and when it fails during these steps: Clean Install Windows 7

Then I would test the HD with maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, then use run Disk Check from the DVD Command Line.