Windows Boot Manager Error

[mak-man]

When I start I get an error that “Windows failed to start†and to insert the
installation disk in to try repair. This doesn't work.
It first stated that the offending file is Windows\system32\winload.exe
It now states that the offending file is \BOOT\BCD
Status: 0xc0000098
Info: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS
entry.
The problem is on a laptop with Vista Preinstalled and did not come with a
recovery disk of any kind. I did manage to scavenge recovery disk of another
laptop that allows me to enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
I also have access to the HDD directly using a SATA to USB adaptor in order
to view/edit files if need be.
It may be worth mentioning that when I used the command prompt in Windows
RE, i could not locate the file winload.exe in either
Dir c:\windows\system32\boot\
Or in
Dir c:\windows\system32\
Any help appreciated.

Btw is it possible to copy the winload.exe file from one laptop running
Vista also to the malfunctioning laptop?

 

[pupick]

If you can read the drive from an external enclosure make sure you back-up
any needed files.
In the absence of malware, or a failed attempt at repartitioning (or similar
disaster) it is difficult to understand how the master boot record could
have been corrupted.
Vista's automated routines do not always work to restore the master boot
record (what a surprise, huh?). There are detailed instructions on the web
about how to try this manually. You cannot simply copy files to restore the
boot sector of the hard drive.
So if you can read the disc from an external enclosure, have backed up and
scanned it also run software tests to see if the drive itself is failing.
If the drive is not failing the easiest method is to format and reinstall
the OS, providing you have all your program software discs.
I do not know how old your laptop is but the cost of Vista plus the cost of
a new hard drive is not much less than many low end laptops that will
outperform most three year old units.

 

[mak-man]

ok, after hours of searching and googling i sorted out the BCD error as well
as the winload.exe error.

but now i got a new type of error.
File: \Windows\system32\ntkrnlpa.exe
Status: 0xc0000428
Info: Windows cannot verify the digital signature of this file

Again i searched and tried many different approches such as replace the
ntkrnl.exe file from another pc running Vista, replace it with the one from
the recovery cd, use the repair option in Windows RE, but none works.

all i need is the OS to boot in order to gain access to my personal files
and back them up. Then i will do a clean install of Vista.

again any help appreciated

 

[Chad Harris]

Hi--

There are a number of ways the BCD can get damaged, and as to your new
error, let's see if we can try to boot and fix your Vista so you don't need
to format it. The backup part is a good idea though for any situation. I
recommend backing up to media because it lasts a long time, hard drives
don't, and external HDs can corrupt. So can Windows backup compressions and
so can Acronis .tibs.

You haven't said whether you have a Vista DVD or not. If not:

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

1) First try 3 options from Startup Repair. If you have a Vista DVD then
restart with it in the drive>press any key to boot from it and run Startup
Repair. From Startup Repair you have 3 good tools with an excellent chance
of fixing your system. If you don't have a Vista DVD from which to boot to
Startup Repair, no problem, Download the .iso from the link below and
burn it, and you'll have the Microsoft Vista Repair Disk with Startup
Repair.

Download Vista Repair Disk
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

How to Use Startup Repair from the Vista DVD or the Repair Disk you make:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

2) If Startup Repair does not get your Vista back, then use the 3 bootrec
commands from the command prompt available on the Startup Repair Menu:

The menu I refer to is in this set of directions with a grey background.

http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/repairstartup/repairstartup.htm

Those are:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuild BCD

3) If my second option doesn't work, then try System restore from the
Startup Repair list.

4) If by rare chance you have an actual Vista DVD, you can put it in, boot
from it>choose the Upgrade Option>choose your current broken Vista Drive and
try to do a repair install with the Vista DVD.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

5) If the above 3 tools don't work, then use the 4 tools available by
restarting your pc and tapping F8 once per second to get to the Windows
Advanced Options Menu.

From this menu click on 3 Safe Mode links to use System Restore. Make sure
you try all 3 if one doesn't work, because just one of them may work.
Tap F8 to Reach Windows Advanced Options Menu Pictured Below:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/...ank/techbliss/Vista-Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command: At the prompt you would type the command to use
forsystem restore at the safe mode cmd prompt is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

If these 3 tools don't work, you have one more you can try which is Last
Known Good Configuration.

Good luck,

CH