BOOT BCD Error 0xc00014c

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I have a Dell Inspiron 1720 Laptop with Windows 7 which will not boot. I get the following error message: File: BootBCD Status:0xc000014c Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data.” It tells me to insert my windows installation disk, etc. etc.
I tried all my repair discs and Installation Discs from XP to Windows 7 and nothing will boot the computer.
I purchased an external CD ROM thinking maybe it was defective and did all the above again, after changing the boot sequence in the BIOS.
I took the computer to a “Professional” who said I needed a new hard drive, which he would install for $300. I said, ‘no thanks.’
I purchased a new hard drive and tried all the above again. With the new HD I got the following message: “No Boot sector on internal Hard Drive. No Bootable devices – strike F1 to retry reboot, F2 for setup utility or press F5 to run on-board diagnostics.”
I ran the diagnostics, and it showed the following message: “Pre-boot System Assesment Complete. No Diagnostic Utility Partition identified. Please select OK to reboot your system.” I rebooted. Still nothing.
A friend told me to “Flash the BIOS” which I found out online means to upgrade the bios. I don’t have the required floppy disc drive on that computer, but I tried to work around that by transferring everything to a usb drive, but that didn’t work.
Can anyone help?
Thanks

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Did you somehow install the OS on the new HD? A new HD will not have a boot sector or OS until it is installed. If you intend to use the new HD, you will have to insert your Win 7 Installation DVD and choose to install the OS. This will install a MBR and the OS on the new HD. It’s difficult to tell from your narrative whether you actually tried to install Win 7 on the new HD.

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Yes I did try to install Win 7 on the new HD.
From original narrative: “I purchased a new hard drive and tried all the above again.”
Thanks

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Put your original DELL hard drive back in the computer, and then attempt a chkdsk.

Boot with the Windows 7 DVD (borrow one from somewhere) and get yourself to the command prompt that is located in the recovery console.

Once at the command prompt, type “chkdsk c: /r” without the quotation marks.
You’ll want to check the original disk prior to doing anything else first.

Then once your all clear with the chkdsk, you can attempt to rebuild or fix the boot issue on the original disk.

See this MS article on the use of Bootrec.exe.

You cannot get your original Dell setup up running with a brand new hard drive. You will need an advanced recovery installation disk from Dell if your original drive is toast. (if all you have is a recovery partition)

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It will not boot with the Win 7 Installation disk or any other disk.

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PhillyWill,

Hello from a born and raised Pennsylvanian! Sure miss my soft pretzels and real cheese steaks!

No Diagnostic Utility Partition identified.

Dell computers come with a Utility partition installed. It may be that the BIOS in this particular model is checking for that partition.
If you have the original Dell disks that came with the computer try installing from them, which should recreate this Utility partition. Then you can install Win-7 to the disk over the original OS which shouldn’t affect the Utility partition.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I tried that, but I just did it again now to make sure. That doesn’t work. The disc just keeps spininning for about 30 seconds and then I get the same error message from Windows Boot Manager.

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Can you access/enter your computer’s BIOS?
Can you access a boot menu by pressing an F key?

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Yes I can press f12 to get to the bios.

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Rest BIOS: Remove the battery and power cord and hold down power on button for 10-20 seconds, then replace battery and power cord.
Ensure that booting to USB and CD/DVD are setup in BIOS as active boot items.

Do not allow the boot process to find the device/recovery/install disk automatically, use your designated F key to bring up a boot menu.

You might also try building a USB recovery disk from Windows 7 [a windows 7 USB install disk would be preferable] in the event your
CD/DVD ROM device is faulty, and then press whatever F key gets you to a boot menu.

What type of OS installation disk do you have?
Genuine Windows 7 install disk vs OEM install disk.

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1. I have a repair disk I made from Windows 7.
2. Installation Disc: Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade for Windows Vista. (Though it says “uograde”, it’s actually a full installatin disc.) I did a clean installation by wiping my HD with Vista and then installing Win 7 from this disc.
3. I also have Vista OEM (Dell) Installation Disk, and an XP OEM (Dell) installation disk.

I did what you suggested (reset BIOS), Hit F12 for Boot Menu and tried booting. Again no luck.

I then thought why not try to install Vista first then reinstall Win 7.
However, while going through all my Vista stuff I found another installation disc. It is a Reinstallation DVD for reinstalling Dell MediaDirect. The instructions enclosed with it say that this disc has to be used first before installing the OS. So, I tried it.

This “Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation” disc worked. It partitioned the hard drive and then instructed me to insert the Vista Installation Disc.
I got the screen telling me to push any key to begin Installation. Before I could do this, the same old Boot Manager error Message popped up, and I’m back where I started.

I tried to Install Vista again but I get nothing at all now except a flashing cursor. I tried the Win 7 Installation Disc again and same thing: Flashing Cursor. No boot manager error message. Nothing but the flashing cursor.

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How do I create a USB Recovery Disc? The only option I see is to create a Repair DVD/CD Disc

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1. I have a repair disk I made from Windows 7.
2. Installation Disc: Windows 7  Home Premium upgrade for Windows Vista. (Though it says “uograde”, it’s actually a full installatin disc.)
3. I also have Vista OEM (Dell) Installation Disk, and an XP OEM (Dell) installation disk.

I did what you suggested (reset BIOS), Hit F12 for Boot Menu and tried booting; Again no luck.

I then thought why not try to install Vista first then reinstall Win 7.

However, while going through all my Vista stuff, I found another installation disc. It is a Reinstallation DVD for reinstalling Dell MediaDirect.

The instructions enclosed with it say that this disc has to be used first before installing the OS. So, I tried it. 

This “Dell MediaDirect Reinstallation” disc worked. It partitioned the hard drive, and then instructed me to insert the Vista Installation Disc.

With the Installation disc, I got the screen telling me to push any key to begin Installation. Before I could do this, the same old Boot Manager error Message popped up and I’m back where I started.

I tried to Install Vista again but I get nothing at all now except a flashing cursor. I tried the Win 7 Installation Disc again and same thing: Flashing Cursor. No boot manager error message. Nothing.

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I don’t know why your continuing to get that boot error, you shouldn’t, especially with a brand new drive.
Try formatting the drive just prior to the install, even if it already is formatted.

Creating a Windows 7 bootable USB Installation drive

Things you’ll need:
Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool
Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River
Download the one that matches your current setup, or use your own Windows 7 DVD.
I recommend it include SP1.

How to create a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
(uses the same USB/DVD download tool)

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THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
Thank you very much. Creating a bootable Windows 7 USB flash drive and then downloading an Official Windows 7 Sp1 ISO (from Digital River) and the WIndows 7 USB/DVD download tool – did it!
My old laptop is up and running (using the old HD also!)

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