BCD file missing required information

Question

My Dell Inspiron 14z notebook, running on Windows 8, is facing a start-up blue screen labeled as 'Boot Configuration Data file is missing some required information'. After a lot of research, I attempted to perform a couple of methods to rebuild the BCD. Since I could not find the product key of this particular Windows version (which was pre-installed), I used a recovery disk for Windows 8.1 from my other notebook, in order to access command prompt and the recovery tools. My attempted solution methods gave me no desirable results: 1.) Windows was not found when trying to perform 'bootrec \rebuildbcd' 2.) After which I attempted completely rebuilding the bcd using 'bcdedit /export C:\BCDBackup', also with no success. 3.) Even pre-installing Windows on an external medium and attempting to boot from that medium gave me the same blue screen. 4.) The recovery options to restore the system to an earlier point gave me an error saying that the drive is locked. Does anyone have any solutions ? Cheers

Mary G · Answer

Run the Diagnostics with a custom extended test of the hard drive--not just the quick test. The hard drive might have failed. Use F12 to get to the boot menu to select diagnostics and other options.

Look up FIXBOOT Lots of info like this-- http://www.techspot.com/guides/630-windows-8-boot-fix/

You should know that the win 8 key is embedded in the bios. It will automatically be read if you reinstall windows.

Windows General

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