I updated my windows 10 laptop a few weeks ago and it went without a hitch. When I rebooted the laptop last night, I got a blue screen titled "Recovery: Your PC/Device needs to be repaired". The error message is
The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors. File:\Boot\BCD Error Code: 0xc000014c You will need to use recovery tools. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB device), contact your PC administrator or PC/Device manufacturer.What I have tried:
interrupt power on three times to try to get into recovery/repair mode, but without success
enter the SNID of my laptop into the manufacturer's website to try to download recovery media, but the website says that it's no longer available (the laptop came with window 7 and has since been updated to window 10)
Note:
The laptop has crucial data/software license so I cannot just wipe the HD and reinstall the OS
It seems (?) that the only way to obtain window recovery media is via a window machine? But I have no access to another window machine
I am a linux person and I am not at all familiar with window -- this comment is NOT meant to start a flame war, but simply to profess my ignorance and ask for help
This laptop used to dual-boot windows 7 with ubuntu, but that was years ago, and the ubuntu partition was wiped out when it got updated to window 10. I have had no blue screen issue at all until now
I'd be most appreciative for your help and guidance on how/where to download the appropriate recovery media, and the steps involved to carry this out. THANKS SO MUCH!
71 Answer
Some free third-party tools on a USB drive can help fix the BCD issue:
- AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, as described by AOMEI.
- Macrium Reflect Free rescue media, as described by Macrium.
These tools use Windows RE (AKA "WinPE") or other OS to boot from the flash drive.
Another choice is to download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft and use their Media Creation Tool to create a USB device to reinstall Windows 10, theoretically keeping all your files and licenses. This is easiest done on a Windows PC; doing so on Linux is more involved.
N.B.: Make a disk image before making any changes that could lose all your licenses and data. Using Reflect Free, for example, use the same media shown above to make a full disk image.
