Windows 8 Error Code: 0xc0000185.

Anonymous
2013-12-09T20:33:51+00:00

When I startup my Windows 8 Asus laptop it shows the Asus logo but underneath the logo it says "Preparing automatic repair" Then it goes to a blue screen that says "Your PC needs to be repaired A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed . Error code: 0xc0000185 you'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media" ect. also when I Press F8 for startup  settings it brings me something like this "File: \Windows\system32\winload.efi" Error Code: 0xc000000f" ... Please help! Also, my laptop was shutting itself off even when it's fully charged... I would very appreciated if someone would help me. Thank you for your time.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2015-01-21T16:29:34+00:00

Hello Pete,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue and apology for the delayed response.

I understand the inconvenience that you have to go through due to this issue.

I would suggest you to create a Windows 8 bootable USB drive and the try the above steps provided by me.

**Note:**When you use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

Please reply with the results, in order to help you fix the issue.

Thank you

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Anonymous
2015-01-28T04:01:16+00:00

Hello Ana,

Thank you for keeping us updated on the status of the issue.

Was Windows 8 preinstalled on your laptop?

If yes, then I would suggest you to contact Asus support team and with the help of that serial number they might be able to assist you for the product key.

Hope this information helps.

Please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.        

Thank you

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Anonymous
2016-09-06T18:59:57+00:00

Hello,

Make sure that the BIOS settings of your computer would allow you to boot from an external device by following the steps below:

  1. Press the Power button to turn on your computer, then immediately tap on F2 key repeatedly until you see the BIOS screen.
  2. Go to Boot tab and make sure that Launch CSM is Enabled.
  3. Go to Security tab and then set Secure Boot Control to Disabled.
  4. Save and Exit out of BIOS to apply the changes.

After doing the above-mentioned steps, kindly attempt to boot to your USB Windows installer by doing the following:

  1. Press the Power button to turn on your computer, then immediately tap on Esc key repeatedly until you see the prompt showing "Please select boot device".
  2. Select your bootable USB media and then hit Enter.

You may also refer to all the information below about bootable USB operating system:

  1. After creating the bootable USB operating system installer, you need to boot to that drive. Simply connecting it to the machine and turning it on will not do anything.
  2. After successfully booting to the USB operating system installer, select the custom/advanced install and delete all partitions. (All data will be lost)
  3. After installing the operating system, download drivers from manufacturer's website.

Let us know how it goes.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-18T15:40:36+00:00

    Hello Josiah,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community Forum.

    As you mentioned that you don’t have a CD/DVD drive on your computer, let us first try to create Windows 8 installation media (USB). Refer the following link.

    How to create installation media for a PC refresh or reset:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

    Contact your computer manufacture for the product key.

    Method 1: Un-plug all external devices, except the key board and mouse, then try to boot the system.

    Method 2: Perform Automatic repair from Windows Recovery Environment (Win RE) and check if this helps.

    To perform Automatic repair on Windows 8 computer follow these steps:

    1. Insert Windows 8 installation media (USB) and restart the computer.

    1. Swipe F12 key (typically this is F12, but it can differ between computer manufacturers) and choose the drive that you inserted the installation media into.
    2. Once the Windows Setup window appears, follow these steps:
    3. Swipe Next and select Repair your computer.
    4. You will then see a blue screen and an option to choose.
    5. Choose the option Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.
    6. Choose Automatic Repair to restart from Advanced boot option.
    7. Once restarted, choose an account with administrative privileges from Automatic repair window credentials of which you want to use to repair Windows 8.
    8. In the next screen, enter the appropriate password and hit the Continue button to initiate the automatic repair process.

    **Method 3:**If automatic repair doesn’t work please perform System Restore, please restore the computer to the date when the computer was working fine using USB drive.

    1. Insert Windows 8 installation media (USB) and restart the computer.

    1. Swipe F12 key (typically this is F12, but it can differ between computer manufacturers) and choose the drive that you inserted the installation media into.
    2. Once the Windows Setup window appears, follow these steps:
    3. Swipe Next and select Repair your computer.
    4. You will then see a blue screen and an option to choose.
    5. Choose the option Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.
    6. Select Restore and follow the onscreen prompt.

    For your reference: System RestorePlease follow the section “Restore your PC to an earlier point in time”http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

    **Note:**When you use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

    Additional information:

    Windows hangs or freezes:

    Refer: My computer hangs or freezes at the Starting Windows screenhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/2681286/en-us

    Important: While scanning the hard drive if any bad sectors are found, the scanner tries to repair that sector, any data available on that might be lost.

    Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-13T15:36:13+00:00

    Amit,

    That would be really helpful if it was at all possible to find out the Product Key of the Laptop in question. Unfortunately it is damn near impossible to find this out and makes this information kind of useless. It should be printed on the back of the laptop or put on the Laptops online register! Thanks though

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