My pals Dell Inspiron laptop wouldnt boot into Windows. Displayed the following message

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem: 1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer. 2. choose your language settings, and then click "Next." 3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance

File: \Boot\BCD

Status: 0xc00000F

Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data

I used his system recovery disks to restore back to factory state and all loaded ok and could use windows normally. However, on shutdown/restart it wouldnt load Windows and gave the same message again. I have noticed that the BIOS clock will not set correctly so am going to replace the CMOS battery. Could this be causing the problem.

If not, could it be that the boot sector is knackered.? If I reformat and reload Windows, does this not replace the boot sector?

Could it be the Hrad Drive is going west.

Ideas and thoughts greatly appreciated.

Here is an image that i found on Google that looks exactly the same as what i see except the server IP thing at the top http://i44.tinypic.com/73pkpy.jpg

What i think has happened. When i started up the laptop it had a game called Roller Coaster Tycoon inside.

I haven't got the boot CD. Im posting this on a different computer.

Thank you Asked By: - 20/2/2012 Best Answer - Chosen by Asker Goto microsoft if you look carefully you may get the help you need Answered By: Laurence I - 20/2/2012