aspire s3-391 - blue recovery screen, Boot COnfiguration Data file is missing info, 0xc0000034

Hello,
I've had this computer for around 5 years, running Windows 8.1 64 bit. Last week on startup, after a few seconds went right to blue recovery screen, saying "Boot Configuration Data file is missing info, and error code 0xc0000034

I tried Alt + f10 to get Windows recovery screen but it goes right to this screen everytime.

No recovery discs came with it. Do i need to buy recovery USB from Acer ?

Or can I download recovery program(s) from MIcrosoft website or other 3rd party company ?

Any free programs that might help ?

Looking for next step, thanks

Accepted answers

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JackE

Shut the machine completely off by pressing and holding the power button for 5-10 seconds. Then remove the charger. Then insert and gently press and hold a paperclip into the battery reset pinhole on the bottom. While still holding the paperclip, press and hold the power button. Do this for about 30 seconds. Then plug the charger back in and cross your fingers. Then while still crossing your fingers, press the power button to turn the machine back on. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

Thanks for reply, I tried this but it didn't work.

JackE

Shut machine completely off again by pressing and hold the power button. Then press and hold the F2 key. Then press the power button to turn the machine back on. The BIOS menu should appear. Click on the Main tab. Make sure the F12 and D2D recovery options are turned on. Then press F10 to save settings and exit.

Then shut the machine completel off again. Then press and hold the ALT+F10 keys. While still holding the keys, press the power button to turn the machine on. Do you now get the ACER recovery screen to either refresh or reset the machine?

Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

Here is a pic of Main tab. I didn't see anything labeled D2D recovery options ?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/kt/kdtq484tt3f6.jpg

JackE

>>>running Windows 8.1 64 bit.>>>

Are you sure it was Win8.1 an not Win8? Big difference on being able to recover. Please post an image of the BIOS information tab if possible. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

Here is the pic, thanks

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/p8/fg72srqrv6l7.jpg

JackE

OK. Go to this link on another computer, click on the Win8.1 recovery and create a Win8.1 recovery USB installation stick. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home From there we can boot from the stick and either try to repair your current HDD setup so you don't lose any personal files or do a full reset. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

I'm assuming it's the ISO file for 8.1 64 bit right ?

Tl9999

I dowloaded while at work, it went to DVD drive (default ?), but I'm copying the files to my usb stick now, Is that right ?

JackE

The stick must be bootable. So use rufus freeware to put the installation iso or img file on a bootable USB stick. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

I turned on computer with USB in, and nothing changed. Do I need to change boot order or anything first ?

JackE

You must tap the F12 key on booting up. The bootable USB stick should be listed as a boot option on the F12 boot menu. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

f12 Boot menu has "windows boot manager" as only option, if I click it, it goes back to recover screen.
On the Boot tab on UEFI screen, it shows this boot order:

1 Windows Boot manager
2 HDD:
3 USB HDD:
4 Network Boot - IPV4
5 USB CDROM:
6 Network Boot - IPV6

Which one of these, if any, would be USB, and do I need to move up to #1 position ?

JackE

#3. But did you try the other port? Also you might have to set and save a BIOS supervisor password.

Then re-enter the BIOS with the password and disable secure boot

Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

I moved usb hdd to boot position 1, installed usb in other port, start up, and now I have windows 8 set screen. Do i do "install now" or click on " repair your computer" ?

JackE

That's up to you. The easiest is to try to install now. If you want to try to fix the HDD, then we must get to the command prompt in the repair your computer app. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

if I do install now, do i lose any files ?

JackE

Yes, all personal files. However, you can first try to copy them to another computer by connecting the HDD to a USB port. Anything we do from now on carries this risk. Jack E/NJ

Tl9999

I'll try to copy files first. How do I connect HDD to USB ?

JackE

You need a 2.5" HDD-to-USB cable. Less than $10. https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Cable-Support-Black/dp/B07S9CKV7X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=2.5"+SATA3+HDD-to-USB2+cable&qid=1588629361&sr=8-3

Everybody needs one of these adapters anyway for easy cloning/migrating to a bigger drive or SSD. Or for trying to repair an unbootable drive from another computer. Or for getting important stuff off a drive before doing what we're about to do. Almost as useful as a backhoe.

Jack E/NJ

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