Boot error: status: 0xc000000f - winload.exe missing or corrupt

I seem to have encountered a problem that a number of people have come across. It started when I was away from my computer and hit "Lock this computer" while I was away, as I often do. When I came back a couple hours later I logged back in and tried to open Firefox. Nothing happened, I hit ctrl+alt+del and it didn't come up. I waited and about thirty seconds later the screen came up with all the options (lock this computer, start task manager, etc.) and I opened task manager to see if Firefox was running and it wasn't. I closed task manager and went to restart my computer from the start menu but I couldn't. I don't exactly remember what happened at that point, but I do know I ended up having to hit the power button on the computer itself to shut down. It was late, so I just left it for the night. When I got home the next afternoon I turned on the computer and a black screen came up saying that the file "\Windows\system32\winload.exe" was "missing or corrupt" with the status 0xc000000f. It told me to repair from the disk, so I went into BIOS and set the first boot to the CD drive and put in the disk. At one of the screens that came up it said all the "Booting from CD" and "press any key to boot from CD" stuff, I press a key, and the next screen that comes up is the same black error screen. I've read other people who have had this problem could actually boot from the disc and repair, but I can't get anywhere.

Anyway, I don't recall making any changes to my computer that would cause this. I only have one hard drive, one OS (Vista Home Basic 64 bit), no partitions or anything. I built my computer at the end of June and haven't had a single problem since.

Any help would be massively appreciated. If you need any more information just ask.
Answer
Answer

Hi,

You probably have hardware issues and need a good computer shop (not leeks and peeks at a Best Buy or
big box store) or technical support from the System maker..

Try Startup Repair -

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options and/or use a Vista Disk
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/326b756b-1601-435e-99d0-1585439470351033.mspx

Try StartUp Repair from Recovery Options or Vista disk.

How to do a Startup Repair
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

Unable to boot in windows vista- windows boot configuration data file is missing required information -
Repair Corrupt Boot Manager
http://www.troublefixers.com/unable-to-boot-in-windows-vista-windows-boot-configuration-data-file-is-missing-required-information/

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair
startup issues in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

How to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" in Windows Vista
http://cyberst0rm.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-fix-bootmgr-is-missing-in.html

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing
required information"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391

Vista Tip: Repair "BOOTMGR is missing" error - a quick how to
http://lifehacker.com/251733/vista-tip--repair-bootmgr-is-missing-error

See this section here - To repair/rebuild the Boot Config Data Use the Bootrec.exe Tool
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

From the Command Prompt of Recovery Console or a Vista boot disk.

SFC /scannow
Hit enter

and then

chkdsk /f /r

(Spaces after C and / and k and /  and  f and / )

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

If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.

How to Make a Bootable Disk in Vista
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/7050.aspx

Download: Windows Vista x86 (32 bit) Recovery Disc
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

Download: Windows Vista x64 (64 bit)  Recovery Disc
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk If You Don’t Have One
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!


Rob - 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 April 28, 2020 Views 105,911 Applies to: