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Get the fix for the error <strong>0xc0000034</strong> on <strong>Windows XP,</strong> <strong>Windows Vista,</strong><strong> Windows 7, Windows 8 </strong>and<strong> Windows 10</strong>.
<h2>About "<strong>0xc0000034</strong>"</h2>
[kbintro]
<h3><span id="Description_and_Symptoms">Description and Symptoms</span></h3>
The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.
<h3>Symptom 1: "0xc0000034" error screen on startup</h3>
On Windows 7 systems, the error is usually displayed with a simpler error text:
<pre>!! 0xc0000034 !!</pre>
But this type of error screen is also common on Windows Vista and 7 systems:

The text reads:
<pre>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: 0xc0000034
  
  Info: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid
        OS entry.</pre>
On Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 systems, the error code text would be this:

<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/0xc0000034-windows-8.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3016 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/0xc0000034-windows-8.jpg" alt="0xc0000034 in Windows 8" width="980" height="600" /></a>
<pre>Recovery

Your PC needs to be repaired

The Boot Configuration Data file is missing some required information.

File: \BCD

Error code: 0xc0000034

You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB device), contact your system administrator or PC manufacturer.

Press ESC for UEFI Firmware settings.</pre>
<p class="info">You can prevent the 0xc0000034 error by installing <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2533552">KB 2533552</a> update.</p>

<h2>Causes of this Error</h2>
This error has been known to occur as a result of one of the following causes:
<h3>Cause 1: Bootloader files are missing or corrupt</h3>
One of the most common causes of this error is the boot-related files that became either missing, corrupt, or misconfigured. That could happen because of disk write errors, power outages, boot sector viruses, or errors made while configuring these files manually.
<h2>Fixing “0xc0000034<span id="Fixing_8220Fatal_INT18_Boot_failure8221_on_Windows">” on Windows</span></h2>
[setupcd]
<h2>Fix 0xc0000034 with Easy Recovery Essentials</h2>
[easyre error="0xc0000034" bootscreen="vista-7-8-10" guaranteed="true"]
<h2>Fix 0xc0000034 in Windows Vista</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Is SP1 Installed</h3>
If you installed SP1 for Windows 7, follow the instructions from the <a href="#48120c0000034_appears_after_I_install_Service_Pack_1">0xc0000034 appears after I install Service Pack 1</a> chapter below.

If you don't have SP1 installed or haven't installed it recently, go to <a href="#Fix_2_Run_chkdsk">Fix #2</a> below.
<h3>Fix #2: Run chkdsk</h3>
To run chkdsk on your Windows Vista computer in an attempt to fix this boot error, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Reboot your computer with the original Windows Vista installation disc and boot from the disc
<p class="info">If you don't have your original Windows Vista installation disc, go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 with Easy Recovery Essentials</a></p>
</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Install Windows Vista screen" /></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type this command:
<pre>chkdsk c: /r</pre>
Replace <code>c:</code> with the letter of the drive where your Windows Vista is installed on.
Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4622" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/chkdsk1.png"><img class="wp-image-4622 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/chkdsk1-1024x768.png" alt="chkdsk utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> chkdsk utility results screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Run Startup Repair</h3>
Follow the same steps from <a href="#Fix_2_Run_chkdsk">Fix #2: Run chkdsk</a> until you boot into the Windows Vista installation disc:
<ol>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Install Windows Vista screen" /></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Startup Repair</strong></li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #4: Restore</h3>
If Startup Repair didn't work to fix the 0xc0000034 error, you can also try to restore your Windows Vista to a date <strong>before</strong> the boot error appeared.

Follow the same steps from <a href="#Fix_2_Run_chkdsk">Fix #2: Run chkdsk</a> until you boot into the Windows Vista installation disc:
<ol>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong></li>
 	<li>At the <em>System Recovery Options</em> screen, click <strong>System Restore</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-system-recovery-options.jpg" alt="System Recovery Options on Windows Vista" /></li>
</ol>
<h2>Fix 0xc0000034 in Windows 7</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Is SP1 Installed</h3>
These steps apply only to Windows 7 systems who recently installed Service Pack 1 (SP1).

If you installed the SP1 for your Windows 7 system, follow the instructions from the <a href="#48120c0000034_appears_after_I_install_Service_Pack_1">0xc0000034 appears after I install Service Pack 1</a> chapter below.

If you don't have SP1 installed or haven't installed it recently, go to <a href="#Fix_2_Run_bootrec">Fix #2</a> below.
<h3>Fix #2: Run bootrec</h3>
You can run the bootrec utility to rebuild the BCD:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot from the Windows 7 DVD</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Install Windows 7 Screen" /></li>
 	<li>At the <em>System Recovery Options</em> window, click <strong>Command Prompt</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="System Recovery Options on Windows 7" /></li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt loads, type this command:
<pre>bootrec /rebuildbcd</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4623" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec1.png"><img class="wp-image-4623 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec1-1024x768.png" alt="bootrec utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> bootrec utility results screen[/caption]

Most Windows 7 systems have the System Recovery Options installed which can be accessed without the installation DVD:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd>. You need to press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key before the Windows 7 logo appears</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Repair Your Computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg" alt="Advanced Boot Options on Windows 7" />
<h3>Fix #3: Startup Repair</h3>
If bootrec doesn't work, you can try to run the Startup Repair utility:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot from the installation disc (CD or DVD) and click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> or press <kbd>R</kbd><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Install Windows 7 Screen" /></li>
 	<li><strong>System Recovery Options</strong> should now be available<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="System Recovery Options on Windows 7" /></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Startup Repair</strong></li>
</ol>
<h2>Fix 0xc0000034 in Windows 8</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Run Automatic Repair</h3>
Windows 8/8.1 comes buit-in with the Automatic Repair that will attempt to find and fix various errors that prevents your computer to load. On Windows Vista and 7 it was called Startup Repair.

To run Automatic Repair, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 DVD/USB and reboot your system
<p class="info">If you don't have your original Windows 8 installation media, go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 with Easy Recovery Essentials</a></p>
</li>
 	<li>Boot from the media</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> at the <em>Install now</em> screen</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Automatic Repair</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the wizard instructions to complete the process</li>
</ol>
<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-8-repair-your-computer-screen.png" alt="Windows 8 Install Screen" />
<h3>Fix #2: Run bootrec</h3>
If Automatic Repair didn't fixed the 0xc0000034 error, try running bootrec to rebuild the BCD:
<p class="warning">You need to have the original Windows 8/8.1 install media. If you don't have it, go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 Easy Recovery Essentials</a></p>

<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer and boot from the DVD/USB</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong> and then select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type these commands in Command Prompt:
<pre>bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /RebuildBcd</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Once the last bootrec finished, type:
<pre>exit</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4624" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec2.png"><img class="wp-image-4624 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec2-1024x768.png" alt="bootrec utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> bootrec utility results screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Refresh</h3>
Performing a refresh of your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 would not affect your personal files. To run the refresh operating, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key or the F11 key</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Refresh your PC</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the instructions to complete the process</li>
</ol>
<h2>Fix 0xc0000034 in Windows 10</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Run Automatic Repair</h3>
Windows 10 comes buit-in with the Automatic Repair that will attempt to find and fix various errors that prevents your computer to load.

To run Automatic Repair, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows 10 DVD/USB and reboot your system
<p class="info">If you don't have your original Windows 10 installation media, go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 with Easy Recovery Essentials</a></p>
</li>
 	<li>Boot from the media</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong> at the <em>Install now</em> screen</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Automatic Repair</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the wizard instructions to complete the process</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/12/Win10_setup.png"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5053" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/12/Win10_setup.png" alt="Windows 10 Setup screen" width="603" height="419" /></a>
<h3>Fix #2: Run bootrec</h3>
If Automatic Repair didn't fixed the 0xc0000034 error, try running bootrec to rebuild the BCD:
<p class="warning">You need to have the original Windows 10 install media. If you don't have it, go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 Easy Recovery Essentials</a></p>

<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer and boot from the DVD/USB</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Repair your computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong> and then select <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type these commands in Command Prompt:
<pre>bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /RebuildBcd</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Once the last bootrec finished, type:
<pre>exit</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4624" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec2.png"><img class="wp-image-4624 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/bootrec2-1024x768.png" alt="bootrec utility results screen" width="980" height="735" /></a> bootrec utility results screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Refresh</h3>
Performing a refresh of your Windows 10 would not affect your personal files. To run the refresh operating, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key or the F11 key</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Troubleshoot</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Refresh your PC</strong></li>
 	<li>Follow the instructions to complete the process</li>
</ol>
<h2>Troubleshooting</h2>
<h3>0xc0000034 appears after I install Service Pack 1</h3>
The 0xc0000034 error code can appear on Windows 7 or Server 2008 systems as a black screen error after installing Service Pack (SP1).

The usually error text is:
<pre>!! 0xc0000034 !! 142/53007 (_0000000000000000.cdf-ms)</pre>
Depending if you can boot into Windows, you have the following options available:
<ul>
 	<li>Restart the computer using the original installation disc</li>
 	<li>Run a VBS script from Command Prompt using the original installation disc</li>
 	<li>Install the KB 2533552 update</li>
 	<li>Reinstall the Windows Service Pack</li>
</ul>
If you can boot into Windows and the 0xc0000034 error isn't preventing you from using your computer:
<ul>
 	<li>Install <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2533552">KB 2533552</a></li>
 	<li>Reinstall SP1</li>
</ul>
If you can't boot into Windows, follow these 2 fixes:

<strong>Fix #1:</strong> Restore your computer
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer and press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key to boot into the <strong>Advanced Boot Options</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Windows-7-Advanced-Boot-Options.png" alt="Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options" /></li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Repair your computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Select a language, keyboard and click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Enter the Administrator password</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>At the <em>System Recovery Options</em> screen, select <strong>System Restore</strong><img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/System-Recovery-Options.png" alt="System Recovery Options in Windows 7" /></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Browse the available restore points and select the restore point titled as <strong>Windows 7 Service Pack 1</strong>.If there is no such restore point, select a restore point dated before the date when you installed Service Pack 1.</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Finish</strong> at the <em>Confirm your restore point</em> screen</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Yes</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Restart</strong> to restart the computer</li>
</ol>
<strong>Fix #2:</strong> Run a VBS script
<p class="warning">This method is recommended for advanced users. Go to <a href="#Fix_48120c0000034_with_Easy_Recovery_Essentials">Fix 0xc0000034 with Easy Recovery Essentials</a> for a quick and easy way to fix this error.</p>

<ol>
 	<li>Save the following text as <code>Script.vbs</code> on a USB flash drive:
<pre>Dim xmlDoc, node, nodeList, fileName, backupFileName, numberOfPOQNodes

Set xmlDoc = CreateObject("Microsoft.XMLDOM")

If Wscript.Arguments.Count = 0 Then

WScript.echo("Error! No XML file specified.")

Wscript.quit

End If

fileName = WScript.Arguments(0)

backupFileName = Left(fileName, InStrRev(fileName, ".") - 1) &amp; "_backup.xml"

If Not xmlDoc.load(fileName) Then

WScript.echo("Failure loading XML file " &amp; fileName &amp; ".")

Wscript.quit

End If

xmlDoc.save(backupFileName)

Set nodeList = xmlDoc.documentElement.selectNodes("POQ")

numberOfPOQNodes = nodeList.Length

For Each node in nodeList

xmlDoc.documentElement.removeChild(node)

xmlDoc.save(fileName)

Set xmlDoc = Nothing

WScript.echo(numberOfPOQNodes &amp; " POQ nodes removed. Script completed.")</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>F8</kbd></li>
 	<li>Boot into the <strong>Advanced Boot Options</strong> menu and select <strong>Repair your computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Select a language and keyboard and enter the Administrator password, if prompted</li>
 	<li>Insert the USB flash drive with the <code>Script.vs</code> file</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Command Prompt</strong>, at the <strong>System Recovery Options</strong> screen<img src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/08/System-Recovery-Options.png" alt="System Recovery Options in Windows 7" /></li>
 	<li>Navigate to the USB flash drive by typing the letter of the drive:
<pre>F:</pre>
<code>F:</code> is the USB flash drive</li>
 	<li>Then type this command:
<pre>Cscript Script.vbs C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml</pre>
Replace <code>C:</code> with the letter of the drive where your Windows 7 is installed.</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>You should see a confirmation message:
<pre>2 POQ nodes removed. Script Completed</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Type <code>exit</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
<h2>More Information</h2>
<h3>Linked Entries</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/bootrec/">bootrec</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/chkdsk/">chkdsk</a></li>
</ul>
[partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="vista,7,8,10"]