Got a BSOD after using program

[StylishHokie]

Hello! I've used your program before with no issues, but last night I ran into a problem. I booted Windows Repair into safe mode as recommended then used the optional scan option. Unfortunately, my computer froze as it was scanning so I restarted the computer. I got a blue screen of a death and I'm unable to login into Windows. The stop code error is 0xc000021a. I really don't want to reinstall Windows. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.  I'm using Windows 10 by the way.

[Boggin]

You haven't said what you are using to post with but if you have access to another computer, you can use that to create Win 10 install media using either a DVD or USB.

Read the instructions at https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

After you have created the install media, tap F12 as you switch the on the affected machine and use the cursor keys to select the media option.

If using an USB then insert that before tapping F12, otherwise insert the DVD after selecting the DVD drive and press enter.

If using a DVD you will be momentarily prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD and when it loads, you may be presented with an inverse window with Windows Setup [EMS Enabled] highlighted - just press enter.

If using an USB, wait for it to load then change/confirm the Time and currency format then on the Install screen click on Repair your computer.

Select Troubleshoot/Advanced options and select Start-up Repair to see what that reports.

You could also try System Restore to see if a restore point will do the job.

If they fail to fix the boot problem then boot up with the install media again and navigate through Troubleshoot to select Command Prompt

Enter bcdedit |find "osdevice"

For clarity that is a Pipe symbol before find and is the uppercase of \

This will give you a partition letter where it sees the volume.

There are three cmds you can try to see if either will repair the corruption to boot normally.

Use your partition letter instead of the x I have exampled -

chkdsk x: /r

You can check the boot status after each of these cmds or just enter one after the other.

dism /image:x:\ /cleanup-image /restorehealth

It may mention something about a Scratch directory, but if the cmd completes then you can ignore that.

The third cmd is the following, again using your partition letter instead of the X I have exampled.

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=X:\ /offwindir=X:\Windows

Note the space before each / in all three cmds.

Let me know how you get on.

[StylishHokie]

I had access to another Windows 10 computer and my dad already provided me with the Windows install media usb. I believe I tried the first cmd and it didn't work. This is before I contacted you. I'll give the other commands a try when I get home from work. Thanks!

[Boggin]

Okay - I'm off to roost now as it's getting on for midnight here in the UK, but will be back in the morning.

[StylishHokie]

I don't think bcdedit did anything. My command line starts out with X:\Sources. I tried all the commands and I'm afraid none of them worked.

[Boggin]

The bcdedit cmd should have produced something like mine -

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18363.657]
(c) 2019 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>bcdedit |find "osdevice"
osdevice                partition=C:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

However, when you boot up with install media, you are booting into memory and not Windows which is why it shows as a X:\ prompt.

You need to find where it sees the volume.

What happened when you entered the bcdedit cmd ?

On mine it usually returns as E: but I think that is because I use an USB.

I think if I was using a DVD then it would return as D:

You would need this partition letter to direct to what is required to be repaired.

Scroll down to the Win 10 section in this article to run the bootrec cmds - https://neosmart.net/wiki/fix-mbr/

Disregard the bit about downloading Easy Recovery Essentials as it's a paid for program and is untested fully for Win 10.

How did the System Restore option work out ?

[StylishHokie]

When I entered bcdedit find| "osdevice" it just repeated the previous command which is X:/Sources. I already knew the partition letter though so it's not a big deal. System restore found no restore points.

My dad actually bought Easy Recovery Essentials and I did try to use it. Automated repair didn't work and their customer service has been terrible so far. Every solution I've used has found zero errors, yet i still I cant login into Windows.

 I've never had issues with your program before so maybe it's something I did. I'm stumped.

[Boggin]

So the dism and sfc cmds completed as they should have ?

Try those bootrec cmds in the article to see if they will fix the mbr and bcd, although I'm not sure of the path you would use in backing up the bcd.

It's a pity you don't create system images as they would have fixed this in a crack.

It's strange that no restore points had been created.

[StylishHokie]

Yeah the commands ran fine, but it didn't fix the problem.  I ran bootrec commands but it says access denied on fixboot. I don't know how system image works, but Windows should have created restore points. Rebuild bcd doesn't work either.  It says the requested system device cannot be found.

[Boggin]

It sounds like the system is screwed.

It has been found that when you run an older version of the repair program on the latest version of Win 10, the machine may not boot up after the reboot.

The reason for this is because with each new Windows Update, MS change the Permissions and is why Shane needs to keep the program up to date.

The current latest version is 4.7.1 - are you using the latest version ?

You could try a Kaspersky Rescue Disk which has sorted my laptop when it wouldn't boot, but it doesn't work for all.

https://www.kaspersky.co.uk/downloads/thank-you/free-rescue-disk

If that fails then I think you are looking at a clean install.

You can use Ubuntu to transfer your personal files to an external HDD or USB and then boot up with the Win 10 install media to navigate to the Install screen.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2147063/linux-to-the-rescue-how-ubuntu-can-help-a-computer-in-distress.html

However, you will need to reinstall all of your programs.

When you are prompted for a product key, I believe there is an option to choose "I don't have a product key"

You can carry on from this where it will auto digitally activate.

[StylishHokie]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I had the latest update or not. My dad is going to move over all my files from that partition then delete and perform a clean install. I need to make sure next time I'm prepared for situations like this. I'll be sure to make use of system restore this time. Thanks for your help!

[Boggin]

It sounds like you have a useful dad

If you go Start - type control panel and press enter when it comes up, in All Control Panel Items you will see an item for back up and restore.

Click on that and you will see the option for Create a system image in the left pane.

You can either save this onto DVDs or an external HDD and you would boot up with the install media to select restore with system image.

This is more reliable than restore points.

If you do need to recover with the system image, insert the external HDD before you select that option in the Recovery Environment.

[Boggin]

I've recently had problems with one of my Win 10 laptops where it wouldn't boot beyond Attempting Automatic Repair and when booting up with an install USB, it would only go to the Win 10 log.

I remembered I had a Hiren's Boot Disk which booted up Windows where I was able to run -

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

and sfc /scannow

I was then able to boot into the Recovery Environtment's Command prompt and run -

bootrec /rebuildbcd

bootrec /fixmbr

where the machine booted up normal.

My version is the 15.2 one and while it was only designed for up to Win 7, it did the job.

If I'd remembered about that disk, that may have saved the recovery work your dad did for you.

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6966-hirens-bootcd.html

You'll probably need Imgburn to create the bootable DVD - https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/imgburn.html

I thought I'd let you know about that disk as it may be prudent to create the disk should you come unstuck again.