[SOLVED] [Win7SP1HomeBasic x64] DISM Error 3 c:\windows doesn't appear to be a valid directory

caicara · Aug 25, 2015

Example DISM commands:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Returns:

Error: 3

The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid Windows directory.
Ensure that the /WinDir option that is specified is valid. For more information, refer to the help by running DISM.exe /WinDir /?.

I believe this is somehow related to the fact that I just cannot update to Windows 10 - tried the regular Windows Update (as it shows as pending for install) as well as the ISO Image.

Attached the log files from the last attempt to install using the ISO File.
View attachment setuperr.zip

Can anyone please help?

zcomputerwiz · Aug 26, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Looks like that failure is also something with DISM:

Code:

2015-08-25 22:21:38, Error                 CONX   Failed to open dism driver store 0x8000000a
2015-08-25 22:21:38, Info                  CONX   End CDriverMap::GetDrivers2015-08-25 22:21:38, Info                  CONX   End CDriverMap::GetDrivers
2015-08-25 22:21:38, Error                 CONX   Failed to collect driver information 0x8000000a
2015-08-25 22:21:38, Error                 CONX   Unable to initialize Device Driver Map with 0x8000000a

Make sure you have a good backup of your system before continuing.

Download Speccy Portable here: https://www.piriform.com/speccy/download/portable
Extract the zip to a folder, then run Speccy.

Follow the instructions here to publish a snapshot: https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy...ile-to-the-web
Include the link with your reply.

caicara · Aug 26, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Thanks for the promtpt response.

I will do this when I come home after work today.... meantime I checked the link you provided and it is Page Not Found. Can you pls check the link?

Thanks.

zcomputerwiz · Aug 26, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Sorry about that.

https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy/using-speccy/publishing-a-speccy-profile-to-the-web

caicara · Aug 26, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

No worries, thanks for the quick response.

Here you go:

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/P61Or27rxdSHY4TDOMktYTH

Thanks in advance.

caicara · Aug 26, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

I've ran the SFC /SCANNOW in case the CBS.log helps with the investigation.

Here you go:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwgbtELwP-ldaXBnblBmekItYVE/view?usp=sharing

Thanks

zcomputerwiz · Aug 27, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

chkdsk /f

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Click on the Start

button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following commands into it, press enter after each

chkdsk /f
Reboot
Download ListChkdskResult.exe (by SleepyDude) from the link below:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12354842/My Tools/ListChkdskResult.exe
Double click on it to run it. It will take a few seconds to scan, then it will open a Notepad window with the log. Copy and paste the contents of this into your next post please!

caicara · Aug 27, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Forgot to mention this is my wife's laptop and it is in Brazilian Portuguese. Let me know if you need help to translate any pieces of the below text.

ListChkdskResult by SleepyDude v0.1.7 Beta | 21-09-2013

------< Log generate on 27/08/2015 20:22:02 >------
Category: 0
Computer Name: CarolinaOzan-PC
Event Code: 1001
Record Number: 90316
Source Name: Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Time Written: 08-27-2015 @ 23:20:49
Event Type: Informações
User:
Message:

Verificando o sistema de arquivos em C:
O tipo do sistema de arquivos é NTFS.
O rótulo do volume é OS.

Uma verificaçao de disco foi agendada.
O Windows verificará agora o disco.

O CHKDSK está verificando arquivos (estágio 1 de 3)...
313088 registros de arquivos processados.

Verificaçao de arquivos concluída.
3505 registros de arquivos grandes processados.

0 registros de arquivos inválidos processados.

29800 registros de EA processados.

97 registros de novas análises processados.

CHKDSK está verificando índices (estágio 2 de 3)...
*435556 entradas de índices processadas. ******************* ****

Verificaçao de índices concluída.
0 arquivos nao indexados verificados.

0 arquivos nao indexados recuperados.

O CHKDSK está verificando os descritores de segurança (estágio 3 de 3)...
313088 SDs/SIDs de arquivos processados.

Limpando 145 entradas de índice nao usadas do índice $SII do arquivo 0x9.
Limpando 145 entradas de índice nao usadas do índice $SDH do arquivo 0x9.
Limpando 145 descritores de segurança nao usados.
Verificaçao de descritores de segurança concluída.
61235 arquivos de dados processados.

O CHKDSK está verificando o diário de USN...
33855920 bytes USN processados.

Verificaçao do diário de USN concluída.
O Windows verificou o sistema de arquivos e nao encontrou problemas.

718640127 KB de espaço total em disco.
613047016 KB em 211925 arquivos.
150060 KB em 61236 índices.
0 KB em setores defeituosos.
440275 KB em uso pelo sistema.
65536 KB ocupados pelo arquivo de log.
105002776 KB disponíveis em disco.

4096 bytes em cada unidade de alocaçao.
Total de 179660031 unidades de alocaçao no disco.
26250694 unidades de alocaçao disponíveis em disco.

Informaçoes internas:
00 c7 04 00 12 2b 04 00 2c f1 07 00 00 00 00 00 .....+..,.......
7b 08 00 00 61 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 {...a...........
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

O Windows terminou de verificar o disco.
Aguarde enquanto o computador é reiniciado.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

zcomputerwiz · Aug 31, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

OK, let's do some fixing.

Code:

\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll
\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll
\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll
\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll

SFCFix Script

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Download SFCFix.exe (by niemiro) and save this to your Desktop.
Download the file below, SFCFix.zip, and save this to your Desktop. Ensure that this file is named SFCFix.zip - do not rename it.
Save any open documents and close all open windows.
On your Desktop, you should see two files: SFCFix.exe and SFCFix.zip.
Drag the file SFCFix.zip onto the file SFCFix.exe and release it.
SFCFix will now process the script.
Upon completion, a file should be created on your Desktop: SFCFix.txt.
Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the contents of this file into your next post for me to analyse please - put [CODE][/CODE] tags around the log to break up the text.

View attachment SFCFix.zip

SFC Scan

Click on the Start

button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following commands into it, press enter after each

sfc /scannow

Wait for this to finish before you continue

copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log %userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt
This will create a file, cbs.txt on your Desktop. Please attach this to your next post.

caicara · Aug 31, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2015-08-31 20:10:20.008
Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1 - amd64
Using .zip script file at C:\Users\Carolina Ozan\Desktop\SFCFix.zip [0]

PowerCopy::
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll
Successfully took permissions for file or folder C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll

Successfully copied file C:\Users\Carolina Ozan\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll to C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll.
Successfully copied file C:\Users\Carolina Ozan\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll to C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll.
Successfully copied file C:\Users\Carolina Ozan\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll to C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll.
Successfully copied file C:\Users\Carolina Ozan\AppData\Local\niemiro\Archive\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll to C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll.

Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-grouppolicy-gptext_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_372622adf05a6587\gptext.dll
Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-g..policy-admin-gpedit_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_ce0882b8c63afdf6\gpedit.dll
Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fde_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_aa136561b9ed4ae4\fde.dll
Successfully restored ownership for C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll
Successfully restored permissions on C:\Windows\WinSxS\x86_microsoft-windows-fdeploy_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17514_none_e1bcfc28af006dea\fdeploy.dll
PowerCopy:: directive completed successfully.

Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 4 datablocks.
Finish time: 2015-08-31 20:10:21.927
Script hash: a10STjbQBmA4CNiKKLqVPD09vPTFi7HrxUaYa4zpx4o=
----------------------EOF-----------------------

caicara · Aug 31, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

View attachment CBS.zip

See CBS.txt (I have not cleaned entries from the past few days in case it helps).

zcomputerwiz · Sep 1, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Looks good. Let's try the System Update Readiness Tool.

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT)

Download and run the System Update Readiness Tool for your version of Windows here: System Update Readiness Tool

This tool will take some time to complete - when it has finished, attach C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log with your reply.

caicara · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

=================================
Checking System Update Readiness.
Binary Version 6.1.7601.22471
Package Version 26.0
2015-09-02 06:35

Checking Windows Servicing Packages

Checking Package Manifests and Catalogs

Checking Package Watchlist

Checking Component Watchlist

Checking Packages

Checking Component Store

Summary:
Seconds executed: 1040
No errors detected

caicara · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

View attachment CBS.zip

New CBS.Log

caicara · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

View attachment dism.zip

New DISM.log

I still think there is something very wrong with DISM since I am not able to submit any of the following comm: 3nds:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

For all above I get an Error: 3

Error: 3
The directory C:\Windows does not appear to be a valid Windows directory. Ensure that the /WinDir option that is specified is valid.

Can we try fixing this and then move forward?

Thanks in advance.

caicara · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

Just ran SFC /SCANNOW again.

Attached below new log.

View attachment CBS 2015-09-02.zip

zcomputerwiz · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

DISM does not support those features for Windows 7, that's why we have to use the System Update Readiness Tool :)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/947821

Your logs look good. Please check for and install any available Windows Updates.

caicara · Sep 2, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

I tried again the Windows 10 install via Windows Update and it continues to download everything and when I click to install now it restarts the computer and does nothing.

I tried also via ISO Image again and it continues to crash at 37%.

Attached the files I believe contain some useful information.

View attachment setupact.log
View attachment setuperr.log
View attachment WindowsUpdate.zip

Please advise.

zcomputerwiz · Sep 3, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

I'd like to see if we can get any driver information from DISM or at least a better error message.

DISM

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Right-click on the Start

button and select Command Prompt (Admin)
When command prompt opens, Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Right-click > Paste) the following command into it, then press Enter

Dism /Online /Get-Drivers
Right-click on the Command Prompt window and click Select All, this will invert all of the colours by selecting the text, now press enter. All of this text is now copied.
Paste (Ctrl+V) it into your next post please.

caicara · Sep 3, 2015

Re: DISM returns Error Code 3: The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid

As I previously explained, this computer is in Portuguese, so the message is in pt-br.

C:\Windows\system32>Dism /Online /Get-Drivers

Ferramenta de Gerenciamento e Manutençao de Imagens de Implantaçao
Versao: 6.1.7600.16385

Erro: 3

O diretório C:\Windows nao parece ser um diretório Windows válido.
Verifique se a opçao /WinDir especificada é válida. Para obter mais informaçoes,
consulte a ajuda executando DISM.exe /WinDir /?.

O arquivo de log do DISM pode ser localizado em C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

It basically says:

Error: 3

The directory c:\windows does not appear to be a valid Windows directory.
Ensure that the /WinDir option that is specified is valid. For more information, refer to the help by running DISM.exe /WinDir /?.

[SOLVED] [Win7SP1HomeBasic x64] DISM Error 3 c:\windows doesn't appear to be a valid directory

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