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allison4403
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November 26th, 2008 06:00
Boot\BCD error - any suggestions?
When I turn my machine on, I get:
windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change might be the cause. to fix this problem:
1. insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, and click 'next'.
3. click 'repair your computer'
file: \Boot\bcd
status: 0xc000000f
info: an error occured while attempting to read the boot configuration data.
I found my Vista CD, but when I restart - it doesn't launch or see the CD. It just goes back to the same error screen. F8 doesn't work, either.
Any suggestions? I'd like to follow the "repair your computer" instructions, but I can't figure out how to even get to that!
I had exactly the same problem. I have an Inspiron 1525. I had let the battery go dead overnight, and then after plug in and restart, I had this problem. Somehow I picked up that the key to use is F12 not F8. Holding F12 down immediately after powering up (with Vista disk in CD drive) fixed the problem. It brings up a screen that allows doing the repair. I followed the directions and the repair was successful on the first try.
fireberd
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Posted November 26th, 2008 12:00
You didn't include your Dell PC Model Number - that should be on any initial problem post.
But, some models have an option at initial bootup to boot from a CD drive. If not, you can temporarily set the CD/DVD drive you want to boot from as the first boot device in the BIOS (setup). Then you can boot from the Vista DVD.
THIS is from Microsoft on using Repair.