HP recovery - A required device isn't connected or cant be accessed - 0xc0000225

[Karthik_HP]

Hello Everyone,

I know, I know... there have been numerous posts about the same error.

I would really really appreciate if someone could help me out.

Info:

1. My HP laptop was pre-installed with Windows 8, and I upgraded it to Windows 10. (The activation was successful)

2. But, the OS had some issues

3. Then I did a clean install of Windows 10 .. and since then I am not able to activate the OS

(I contacted MS support, they suggested, I revert back to the previous OS, and then do the upgrade again, instead of Clean install)

Issue:

1. I am not able to go back to my recovery.

2. I get the error - 0xc0000225 - on pressing F11 during the boot

Error description : A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed

I tried,

1. I contacted the HP chat support.. and then tried for half a day..doing their usual defect resolution ... updating BIOSetc..

(I eventually gave up on them)... it was not getting anywhere

2. Tried almost any solution on the internet.. nothing seems to work...

like rebuilding bcd

------HELP NEEDED------

It would be of immense help if .. anybody could walk me through any feasible solution..

Thanks...

PS: I don't seem to have the HP recovery manager software installed ... (since I did a clean install of Win 10, all of the files have been removed)

I Still have the recovery drive (G:) though - which seem to have all kinds of .wim files and other config files

(So, I am hoping that I can still perform a factory reset with these)

[Mrstenter]

Hi @Karthik_HP ,

Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community!

I came across your post about the Notebook, and wanted to assist you! I have looked into your issue about your HP Pavilion 15-e015tx Notebook and needing to return your Notebook back to Windows 8.1. A required device isn't connected or cant be accessed - 0xc0000225 is an error Windows cannot find the System Files used for booting.

If you have deleted the windows.old file from your computer, you will not have the option to go back. If your installation required an external USB drive you must use the same drive to go back or your recovery discs. A clean install does remove any recovery drive located on your Notebook. Here is a link that might help.

Here is a link on performing a HP System Recovery.

If you have your recovery disks or USB just insert and proceed.

I hope this helps.

Thanks.

[Karthik_HP]

Hi Mrstenter,

Thanks for getting back...

Here's what happened,

1. Upgraded to Win 10 from Windows 8.1

--> Windows.Old folder has all files pertaining to Windows 8.1

2. Did a clean install of Windows 10

--> Windows.Old folder now has files pertaining to Windows 10 (since, Windows 10 was the current OS)

3. But I still have a whole other drive called recovery (drive F) of size 24 GB, and most of which is wim files

(which I am guessing is the files needed for factory reset)

Unfortunately, I never thought of creating recovery disks ....so I dont have one (for getting back to factory settings)

So... I want to know..

(Is the drive F, which says Recovery.. and does have various wim & config files... -> Is it of no use)

Is there no other way to by pass the error message? (without having a recovery disk)

Thank you.

[Mrstenter]

Hey @Karthik_HP,

When you go to your HP Recovery does it give you the go back option for Windows 8?

This is something you do not have to go through but you could check on. I would recommend a go back and create the recovery media discs.

Thanks.

[Karthik_HP]

Hi Mrstenter,

 When  I press F11, at the time of the boot screen,

this is what is displayed .. and the options are f2 to go to boot menu options ..

[Mrstenter]

Hey @Karthik_HP,

Here is a link to put the Notebook in Safe Mode. Then you can do a system restore. System restore will help if something automatically updated and did not go well on the Notebook.You might have to consider a few weeks before the issue happened.

If not you will need the Recovery Media. Here is a link for some help.

Thanks.

[Karthik_HP]

Hello,

Thanks for getting back...

Post the clean-install , all system restore points would have automatically been deleted.

And right now, there are no restore points... so I guess... we can cross this off the list...

the next thing is as you said.. ordering a CD..

(which I was hoping to be the last option)

I was wondering.. since I already have the recovery drive present...

is there any way to make it load during the F11 boot?

From, what I understood ...

the problem is that the system is not able to access the recovery partition...

and I do have the recovery parition present...

all I need to do is ...

"Change some settings" ... wherein I need to tell the OS that ... once i press F11.. please access the recovery partition.

So... is there a way to "Change some settings" .. and where?

Thanks

[Mrstenter]

Hey ,

If you did a clean install it removes the original partition. If you could borrow someones disk that is the same Windows as yours you could use that. You have your licence for Windows as it is built in.  Here is something from Microsoft that might help.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.