Malwarebytes destroy boot config data

[robertov416]

Ran Malwarebytes for the first time on a Windows 10 install.  I selected action on the 160+ files it recommended.  Computer now won't boot.

Message:

Pc/Device needs to be repaired

The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors

File:\Boot\BCD

Error Code: 0xc0000034

Ideas?  Not what I was hoping for from a trial version of a program.

Thanks.

[Malwarebytes]

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[robertov416]

I would love to be able to get to that point.  It won't even boot now.  Next suggestion please.  I get the original message right after the Bios F2/F12 option screen.

 

[nukecad]

3 hours ago, robertov416 said:

I would love to be able to get to that point.  It won't even boot now.  Next suggestion please.  I get the original message right after the Bios F2/F12 option screen.

 

As it's Windows 10 there is a built in boot/startup repair option.

If you are getting to the logon screen then click the power icon (bottom right) then hold the shift key while clicking on the restart icon to load the recovery environment.
If you are not getting as far as the logon screen then turn the power button on and off between 3 and 5 times in succession.
After 3 times Win10 should recognise there is a problem and load the recovery environment.

Once there select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and then Startup Repair.

As to just what caused the problem in the first place I'll leave that to others.

[robertov416]

10 minutes ago, nukecad said:

As it's Windows 10 there is a built in boot/startup repair option.

If you are getting to the logon screen then click the power icon (bottom right) then hold the shift key while clicking on the restart icon to load the recovery environment.
If you are not getting as far as the logon screen then turn the power button on and off between 3 and 5 times in succession.
After 3 times Win10 should recognise there is a problem and load the recovery environment.

Once there select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and then Startup Repair.

As to just what caused the problem in the first place I'll leave that to others.

I tried the repeated power on and off (cycling power once it reached the same error I listed in post 1).  Did that over 5 times in a row.  Unfortunately didn't work either.  

Thanks for offering something I hadn't yet tried. 

[dcollins]

Since this happened after removing malware, it was most likely caused by the removal. I moved this to the Malware Removal section so one of the experts can help out 

[nukecad]

6 hours ago, robertov416 said:

I tried the repeated power on and off (cycling power once it reached the same error I listed in post 1).  Did that over 5 times in a row.  Unfortunately didn't work either.  

Thanks for offering something I hadn't yet tried. 

That should have worked, maybe try powering off before it gets to the error screen?

I would also try a long press (5+ seconds) of the power button to make sure it is off before starting the on/off cycle.

This article gives the procedure with screenshots.
(It's talking about getting to safe mode on an Asus laptop - it's basically the same but you would go for Startup Repair not Startup Settings).
https://www.asus.com/uk/support/FAQ/1013074/

[nukecad]

The above link seems unreliable, try these instead:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-recovery-environment--windows-re--technical-reference
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-re-troubleshooting-features

In that first one it plainly states

 

Quote

 

WinRE starts automatically after detecting the following issues:

• Two consecutive failed attempts to start Windows.

 

 

[kevinf80]

Hello robertov416 and welcome to Malwarebytes, If you have access to a spare PC and a USB flash drive do the following: Download and save to your Flash drive Farbar recovery Scan Tool (FRST) ensure to get the correct version for your system. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ Next, Boot sick PC to Recovery Environment, if you are unsure of that action have a read at the following link, maybe bookmark for future reference... https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-boot-advanced-startup-options-windows-10-a.html Next, From the Windows 10 Tutorial you should get access to the Advanced Startup Options at boot for Windows 10 From that window select "Troubleshoot" From the next window select "Advance Options" From that Window select "Command Prompt" Ensure to plug the flash drive into a USB port... You should now be in Recovery Environment with the Command Prompt Window open...... Continue with the following:   Select Command Prompt In the command window type in notepad and press Enter. The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open. Select "Computer" or "My PC" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad. In the command window type E:\frst64 or E:\frst depending on your version. Press Enter Note: Replace letter E with the drive letter of your flash drive. The tool will start to run. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer. Press Scan button. It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply. Leave the infected PC in Recovery mode, post the produced log from your flash drive via the spare PC.... Thank you, Kevin..

[kevinf80]

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Thanks