EliteBook840, Pro Windows 8 Start-Up "Windows failed to start"

[BengtSweden]

After starting the Laptop and having registred my pssword I arrive to;

Windows Boot Manager

 Windows failed to start. A recente hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart you computer. 

I DO NOT HAVE THAT DISC

It says that I should contact computer manaufacturer for assistance. 

Can someone please help me?

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: Oxc000000f

Info: An error occured while attempting to read the configuarion data.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @BengtSweden 

Welcome !

• Just to confirm this is about Windows 8, not Windows 10 ?
• Did your PC arrive with Windows 8 preinstalled on it, or you (or someone else) installed it after PC purchase ?
• What have you done (been doing) with the PC before the issue appeared - any recent hardware or software changes or updates ?

You will most likely need Windows installation media to fix the problem.

Please, reply to the questions above.

[IT_WinSec]

Proposed fix options:

1) Easier one - reinstall Windows and begin from scratch
2) Slightly more difficult - try to rebuild BCD (fix)
Let me know how it goes and what you are comfortable doing.

// Option 2 // In order to fix the problem, you will need the following:

• Windows 8 / 8.1 installation media (like bootable USB pen drive)

Create one using Heidoc and Rufus -> details can be found on page 2 and 3 in the PDF file instructions below

• Once, the media is ready, boot the PC from it - page 4 in the PDF file instructions below

• Finally, you may need to rebuild the so called Windows BCD or Boot Configuration Data file ->
  You need to boot from the USB pendrive
  Choose the option to "Repair your computer", not Install
  Go to "Troubleshoot"
  Open CMD and type several commands

Details about the commands and the procedure can be found here >> https://www.thewindowsclub.com/rebuild-bcd-windows-10

It is the same for Windows 7, 8 and 10.

Let me know how it goes and what you are comfortable doing. If anything is not clear, just ask

[BengtSweden]

Thanks so far.

Answers to your questions. No CD reader on the notebook so I assume USB recovery is whats needed

I bought the notebook 2013 or 2014. It has a sticker on the backside where it says ProWindows8

Arrived preinstalled

No recent updates of harware or software. Just normal use of standard applications like outlook, word and excel

[IT_WinSec]

Thank you for the prompt reply. Good morning, by the way 🙂

Your PC does not have a CD/DVD reader but should have a built-in hidden partition inside the HDD which can be used for recovery procedures.

Instead of trying the steps above, try this now:

• Press and hold the power-on button, hold it for at least 5-6 seconds until the PC powers off completely
• Wait a while and try to start the machine by pressing the power on button once
• Immediately after pressing the button to turn the PC on, being pumping (hitting repeatedly) the Esc button from the keyboard
• Your PC should start HP Start up menu
• Here are details about this process >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSN0qzXayUY

Once you open HP Start up menu, do you see F11 option there ?

If yes, press F11 from the keyboard (this button is from the f keys above the numbers)

Choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have plenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Provide your feedback/reply.

[BengtSweden]

I was able to get to "HP Recovery Manager (1.1.0.13) where it says "This guide will help you to restore the the harddisc to it´s original factorysetup.

By Clicking "Next" is says

Wou,d you really want to continue". I get a warning "If you continue all information on harddisc will be lost". 

Must bw wrong to continue. I would like to keep my data 😀

[IT_WinSec]

---

@BengtSweden wrote:

I was able to get to "HP Recovery Manager (1.1.0.13) where it says "This guide will help you to restore the the harddisc to it´s original factorysetup.

By Clicking "Next" is says

Wou,d you really want to continue". I get a warning "If you continue all information on harddisc will be lost". 

Must bw wrong to continue. I would like to keep my data 😀

---

OK, do not proceed them (for now)

Besides the option for HP Recovery Manager, do you see Troubleshoot option or System Restore, like the ones posted by me above ?

[BengtSweden]

 First menu

F1 System Information

F2 System Diagnostics

F7 HP SPareKey

F9 Boot Device Options

F10 Bios Setup

F11 HP Recovery

F12 Network Boot

ENTER - Continue Startup

[IT_WinSec]

Yes, first one... I see you have F11 there. Once you press it and once it loads, what option you have there ?

I am 99.99% sure there should be troubleshoot options as an additional one .

Can you take picture(s) and post them back as attachments or inline ?

[BengtSweden]

After ESC at start up and after choosing F11;

1. Windows loading files..... is says at the bottom of the screen (some 10 seconds)

2. Starting Windows appears some 3-4 seconds

3. Administration HP Manager som few seconds

4. Then I get blue background and HP logo in the middle of the screen (some 20 seconds)

5. Finally I get the menu

HP Recovery Manager, where I have Next or Cancel as options

If Next then I get the messages I wrote in previous mail.