For the really vast number of users that Windows OS caters to, it sure does have a lot of errors actually. That pops up every now and then as well. Pop-up error messages aside, things start to really heat up and also cause anxiety actually. When one of the colored boot screen errors (Blue screen of death or red screen of death) is actually encountered. These errors will either entirely halt the PC in operation or avoid the OS from booting on altogether. Fortunately, each of them has an error code and also an error message. That points us in the right direction to recovery as well. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Fix The Boot Configuration Data File that Doesn’t Contain Valid Information for an operating system. Show
The 0xc0000098 error screen basically encounters whenever trying to power on the computer and is causing because of a corrupt BCD (Boot Configuration Data) file. First of all, the data on your PC is still safe and can be accessed. When you resolve the error. Introduced in Windows Vista, the Windows OS now continues to use the BOOTMGR (the Windows Boot Manager) as well. In order to load important drivers and components of the operating system at the time of system boot too. The boot manager actually depends on the BCD file for information on boot applications and also their respective settings too. If the boot manager is now unable to read the file (due to corruption or if there are no OS entries in it). And thus, the information contained in it, the 0xc0000098 error will also be experienced. The BCD file can render corrupt via a notorious malware/virus. That found its way onto your computer or because of a sudden computer shutdown. It can also be corrupt hard drive drivers as well as a failing internal hard drive that is causing the error. The Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information – FixUsers can also find the solution to the 0xc0000098 error on the error screen itself as well. The message basically instructs users to use the Windows recovery tools in order to repair the corrupt BCD file that is prompting the error. Now, there are also a couple of built-in recovery tools (SFC, Chkdsk, as well.). In order to check system files and repair them automatically. However, we recommend you create a bootable Windows 10 flash drive and use that to repair the BCD file. If the automated process doesn’t even work, then one can also manually rebuild the BCD file through running a couple of commands. Manually Rebuild the BCD file | Boot Configuration Data FileSince the 0xc0000098 error is primarily caused due to a corrupt or empty boot configuration data file. We can just simply rebuild it in order to fix the issue. The Bootrec.exe command-line tool can also be used for this purpose as well. The tool is in order to update the BCD file, master boot record, and also partition boot sector code.
Perform a Startup RepairStartup repair is also one of the many Windows 10 recovery tools that auto-diagnosis and repair many system files. That may be avoiding the operating system from booting. In case of a boot error, a startup repair scan that automatically initiates although even if it hasn’t. One needs to plug in a Windows 10 boot drive as well as a disc and manually start a scan from the advanced startup menu.
Run an SFC and CHKDSK scan | Boot Configuration Data FileWell, apart from the startup repair recovery tool, there are also the System file checker and CHKDSK command-line tools. That can also employes to scan and repair system files. The above two solutions should also have resolved the 0xc0000098 error for most of the users. However, if they didn’t, then try using these recovery tools as well.
Note: In case you guys have Windows installed on a different drive. Just replace the letter C in the command line along with the letter of the Windows drive.
ConclusionWell, That is all from my side. If you want to know more about this article or have any queries. Then feel free to ask me anything in the comments section below. Have a Good Day! Also See: How to Set Up 1 Inch Margin in Microsoft Word
As you may guess, the Windows operating system is a complex set of code that enables you to use your computer as you do. That complex coding starts right after your computer’s BIOS asks for specific files from your drive and all of a sudden you get an error “The Boot Configuration Data file doesn’t contain valid information for an operating system.” It’s not a pretty sight. BCD or Boot Configuration Data is the part of the OS that is in charge of booting it and making sure that everything is running smoothly from the initial boot, till the time you shut your PC down. Reasons for getting a BCD errorEven though this error comes with a variety of messages, all of them means that the data is corrupted or missing, and you cannot boot your Windows. Most of the reasons leading to this type of error are software related, like improper shutdown, BSOD, viruses, etc. there is also the hardware reason, meaning that failing hardware can lead to corrupted data in the boot configuration. As you may have guessed, the hardware part is the drive. Furthermore, you can know more startup problems. Fixing the software side of the problemGetting an error like this doesn’t always mean that you need to replace your computer, the solution is often much more straightforward. To be able to repair your Windows, you will need access to a bootable Windows USB. Creating the USBA few years ago, creating a bootable Windows USB was slightly problematic, but today it’s very easy. Go to Microsoft’s website, download the Media Creation Tool, and run it as administrator. For this part, you will need a USB with at least 8 GB and a working Windows computer. Once the tool starts, select “Create installation media for another PC” and click “Next.” On the next screen, make sure to have the language, edition, and architecture the same as on your computer. Select the “USB flash drive” option and continue to the next section. You will see a list of plugged USB drives where you will need to select the USB that you want to make bootable. Click “Next” and wait for the installation process to finish. The process should take no longer than 20 minutes, depending on the speed of the internet connection and the transfer speed of the USB. Fixing the Boot Configuration DataOnce your bootable USB is done, you can proceed with fixing your boot configuration data. Even though the first few steps will be identical to installing a fresh set of Windows, I assure you that none of your data will be lost, you will only be fixing what is “broken.” Plug your USB and power on your computer. During the POST, you will need to go to the BIOS and change the boot order priority, or you can choose a temporary boot drive. For the exact procedure, you will need to look in your motherboard or laptop user manual, since most have a different way of doing that. In a few minutes, the Windows wizard will start where you will need to choose the language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout. In most cases, you will leave these by default. On the next screen, click on “Repair your computer.” From the next menu, select “Troubleshoot.” In the troubleshooting options, click on “Advanced options.” From the advanced options, choose “Command Prompt.” Bootrec.exe is an efficient tool to fix boot error. You will have three commands that you will need to enter to fix the problem with BCD:
For the last command, you will be asked if you want to add the found installation to boot, where you will need to enter “Y” and hit enter. Active partitionAn inactive partition on your drive can also lead to a similar BCD error, so it is a good idea to check if the right one is active. Follow the same steps as above to get to the Command Prompt, where you will need to enter a series of commands:
You can reboot your computer after this. Checking your hardwareIf you get the Boot Configuration Data error once, fix it, and never get it again, then you have nothing to worry about. Getting the error continually means that you have more significant problems to worry about. If some of the solutions from above work for you, but the error keeps coming back to haunt you, then you are likely looking at a failing drive, something you should check out. If you manage to boot your Windows, you will need to open Command Prompt, or you can use the same procedure as the other two procedures in this article. Type in the command “chkdsk C: /f /r” and the process complete. If Windows is installed on a different partition, labeled D or E, make sure to change the letter accordingly. It will scan the disk and try to fix any errors that it can. Once it finishes, you will see a report outlining the details. Apart from the HDD or SSD, a faulty RAM stick may also be the source of the problem, and you may want to have your power supply checked out, but before you go down that road, check the disk first. As I’ve said in the beginning, the BCD error is not something that you should instantly be alarmed about. In a lot of cases, you are looking at a software reason for getting it, and with my recommended fix solutions, you should have no problem eliminating that headache. My recommendation for situations like these is to make regular backups to avoid loss of data. |