Automatic Repair Loop with Error Code 0xc0000221

I recently went to start up my computer after a couple of days of not using it.  Upon start up my computer brought me to a screen that said "Automatic Repair Your PC did not start correctly Press 'Restart' to restart your PC, which can sometimes fix the problem.  You can also press 'Advanced options' to try other options to repair your PC." 

First, I tried Restarting the computer numerous times which did not work. This lead me to assume I was in a "Automatic Repair Loop."

Second, I went into Advanced Options, Trouble Shoot, Advanced Options and went into the command prompt screen where I tried the following:

1) Performed "chkdsk c: /f" followed by "bootrec /fixmbr" then "bootrec /fixboot" then "bootrec /rebuildbcd" - This did not work

2) Next I tried to restore the Registry from the RegBack directory which also did not work

3) Then I disabled Automatic Start Up Repair by putting the following into the command prompt screen "bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No". After restarting my computer I received the following message. "Recovery Your PC/Device needs to be repaired. The operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains error. File:ksecdd.sys. Error Code: 0xc0000221". I then put "recoveryenabled Yes".

Third, I went into Advanced Options, Trouble Shoot, Automatic Repair and after waiting significant amount of time I received the following message. "Startup Repair. Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC. Press 'Advanced options' to try other options to repair your PC or 'Shut down' to turn off your PC. Log file: C:\WINDOWS\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt"

My question is: how do I fix the errors (both 0xc0000221 ksecdd.sys AND SrtTrail) without losing my files?

Sadly, I do not have a very recent backup of my hard dive. I understand some files may be lost in this process in order to make the computer operational but I would like to minimize these loses.

Also, I have NOT made any recent updates to the hard drive or downloaded any new software, etc.

I appreciate any help you are able to offer.  Thank you.

Hi,

Very likely a hardware issue;

Troubleshoot blue screen errors
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/troubleshoot-blue-screen-errors

BUG_Check 0xc0000221  <-- read this link
http://www.faultwire.com/solutions-fatal_error/STATUS-IMAGE-CHECKSUM-MISMATCH-0xC0000221-*1316.html?order=date

<Moderator note - Faultwire.com is no longer valid and is redirected to an unsafe site (November 2021) >

The 0xc0000221 is often a hardware issue - either hard drive or RAM (especially if you have recently added any new RAM). Methods to check the hard drive and test the memory are below.

Boot with a Windows 10 disk or USB drive and run these from the command prompt : (see below how to create a Windows disk or USB drive). If you have a SSD check with its maker's support for test methods.

chkdsk C: /r
 
(there is a space between : and the /  .
=====================================

If CheckDisk fails to complete as above :  <-- Manufacturer's Diagnostic Utilities.

Run the appropriate one of these and/or the trial versions below.

Manufacturer's Diagnostic Utilities.

(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)

Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive <-- links here are now outdated.
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html 

Corrected list as of 9-10-2016

Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/ 

Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
https://www.hgst.com/support/hard-drive-support/downloads/legacy-downloads

IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities
Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities

Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)
http://www.seagate.com/manuals/backupplus/hard-drive-tests/#seagate-diagnostic-tool-windows-only
Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities

Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.seagate.com/manuals/backupplus/hard-drive-tests/#seagate-diagnostic-tool-windows-only
Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities
Samsung Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities

Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en

The trial versions of one of these "might" help.

SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

HD Tune
http://www.hdtune.com/


=======================================

You will need a Windows 10 boot disk if you don't have one. 

Make a Windows 10 Disk using the Media Creation Tool - select to install on
another computer and the same version you have now. You can make a USB
or DVD to boot with. Select Troubleshoot - Advanced Options  - Automatic
Repair.

Installing Windows 10 using the media creation tool - create media then
boot with it - use method I outlined above.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-usb-flash-drive-create-install-windows-10-a.html

OR use this method :

How to Create a USB Recovery Drive in Windows 10
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4200-recovery-drive-create-windows-10-a.html

====================================================

How to test the RAM memory:

Memory tests do not catch all errors such as mismatched memory (possible even
for sticks that appear to be identical) and when faster memory is placed in system
behind slower memory. So it is best to also swap sticks in and out to check for
those even if all memory tests fail to show a problem.

To test RAM check here - let it run 4+ hours or so.  <-- best method
www.memtest.org

MemTestX86 - Test RAM With
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/14201-memtest86-test-ram.html

For the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.

Type in Cortana's search box ->  Windows Memory Diagnostics 
at top of list - click it. in Windows 8/8.1/10 the name is "Windows Memory
Diagnostic".


Hope this helps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows and Devices for IT : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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Last updated May 11, 2024 Views 116,437 Applies to: