{"id":2949,"date":"2015-01-19T07:38:40","date_gmt":"2015-01-19T13:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/?p=2949"},"modified":"2016-11-12T21:06:05","modified_gmt":"2016-11-13T03:06:05","slug":"0xc0000098","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/0xc0000098\/","title":{"rendered":"0xc0000098 – Fix for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get the fix to the 0xc0000098: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS entry<\/strong>\u00a0boot error message affecting Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1<\/strong> and\u00a0Windows 10<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

About the “0xc0000098<\/strong>” error<\/h2>\n

The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers, developers, and technicians or partner organizations.<\/p>\n

Description and Symptoms<\/h3>\n

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.<\/p>\n

Symptom 1: 0xc0000098 error screen on startup<\/h4>\n

As a part of the system startup procedure<\/a>, the BOOTMGR bootloader introduced in Windows Vista and subsequently used in Windows 7, Windows 8(.1), and Windows 10 uses a database of entries and configuration options known as the BCD1<\/a><\/sup>, which acts as a global store for all boot-related options and settings on newer Windows PCs. However, if the BCD file has no operating system entries, then the following error message will appear:<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the\r\ncause. To fix the problem:\r\n\r\n  1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.\r\n  2. Choose your language settings, and then click \"Next.\"\r\n  3. Click \"Repair your computer.\"\r\n  \r\nIf you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer\r\nmanufacturer for assistance.\r\n\r\n  File: \\Boot\\BCD\r\n  \r\n  Status: 0xc0000098\r\n  \r\n  Info: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid\r\n        OS entry.<\/pre>\n
On newer Windows systems, the error screen looks a little different:<\/p>\n
\"VirtualBox_W10_new_15_07_2016_12_54_38\"<\/a><\/p>\n
Recovery\r\n\r\nYour PC\/Device needs to be repaired\r\n\r\nThe Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain valid information for an operating system.\r\n\r\nFile: \\Boot\\BCD\r\nError code: 0xc0000098\r\n\r\nYou'll need to use recovery tools. If you don't have any installation media(like a disc or USB device), contact your PC administrator or PC\/Device manufacturer.<\/pre>\n
A device driver that’s incompatible with your Windows system can cause this error too. In this kind of example, the error text can mention a specific file at the File row:<\/p>\n
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the\r\ncause. To fix the problem:\r\n\r\n  1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.\r\n  2. Choose your language settings, and then click \"Next.\"\r\n  3. Click \"Repair your computer.\"\r\n  \r\nIf you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer\r\nmanufacturer for assistance.\r\n\r\n  File: \\Windows\\System32\\Drivers\\aswVmm.sys\r\n  \r\n  Status: 0xc0000098\r\n  \r\n  Info: Windows failed to load because a critical system driver\r\n        is missing, or corrupt.<\/pre>\n
Causes of this Error<\/h3>\n
This error has been known to occur as a result of one or more of the following:<\/p>\n
Cause 1: BCD has no OS entries<\/h4>\n
One of the most common causes of this error is the BCD that has no entries in it. That could happen because of disk write errors, power outages, boot sector viruses, or errors made while configuring the BCD manually.<\/p>\n
Cause 2: An incompatible hard drive driver is installed<\/h4>\n
Another possible cause of this error is a device driver that is incompatible with the current hard drive. That could occur after a system update, or a service pack installation.<\/p>\n
Fixing “0xc0000098” on Windows<\/h2>\n
Windows Setup CD\/DVD Required!<\/strong>
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows<\/a> instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.<\/p>\n
Fix #1: Rebuild BCD via Easy Recovery Essentials<\/h3>\n
Easy Recovery Essentials’ one-click automated system repair feature incorporates full repair and reconstruction of the BCD to resolve the “0xc0000098” error, even in cases where Windows won’t boot as a result of the error.<\/p>\n
Easy Recovery Essentials is guaranteed to fix the “0xc0000098” error automatically using its built-in Automated Repair option. EasyRE is currently available for Windows XP<\/strong>, Vista<\/strong>, 7<\/strong>, 8<\/strong>, Windows 10<\/strong>, and Windows 11<\/strong> and can be downloaded and created on any PC.<\/p>\n
    \n
  1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials<\/a>. Make sure to note your Windows version (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, or Windows 11) before you download EasyRE. This guide can help you identify what version of Windows<\/a> you have installed.<\/li>\n
  2. Burn the image. Follow these instructions on how to burn the bootable ISO image<\/a>\u00a0very carefully, as making a bootable CD can be tricky! Alternatively, these instructions explain how to create a bootable EasyRE recovery USB stick\/drive<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Boot up your PC from the Easy Recovery Essentials CD<\/a> or USB you created.<\/li>\n
  4. Once EasyRE is running, choose the “Automated Repair” option and click Continue<\/kbd>.\n
    \"EasyRE<\/a><\/p>\n
    Choose “Automated Repair” in Easy Recovery Essentials<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  5. After EasyRE scans your computer’s drives, identify and select the drive letter for your Windows installation\u00a0from the list, and then click on the Automated Repair<\/kbd> button to begin.\n
  6. Easy Recovery Essentials will start analyzing the selected drive for problems. EasyRE will test for and attempt to automatically correct errors with the disk, partition, bootsector, filesystem, bootloader, and registry. No intervention is required, as EasyRE’s repair is fully automated:\n
    \"EasyRE:<\/a><\/p>\n
    Easy Recovery Essentials searches for errors and makes corrections to the selected Windows installation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
  7. Once the process is complete, EasyRE will report its findings. Click on the Restart<\/kbd> button to reboot your PC and test the changes.<\/li>\n
  8. The “0xc0000098” error should now be fixed as your PC begins to load:\"EasyRE:<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    You can download Easy Recovery Essentials from here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
    Fix #2: Run Startup Repair<\/h3>\n
    On Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8\u00a0and\u00a0Windows 8.1,\u00a0Startup Repair can be used to scan the system for damaged or missing system files to replace the BCD\u00a0file if it has no entries.<\/p>\n
    Windows Setup CD\/DVD Required!<\/strong>
    Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use     Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows<\/a> instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.<\/p>\n
    Startup Repair is an automated diagnosis and repair tool that is available from the Windows setup disc and can be used to find and repair some common problems. More information about how Startup Repair operates and what it does can be found in our knowledgebase.\u00a0The following steps will initiate Startup Repair from the Windows setup disc:<\/p>\n
    Unable to boot into the Windows setup CD?<\/strong>
    See our guide on     setting up a PC to boot from the CD or DVD<\/a> for troubleshooting and more detailed instructions.<\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Insert your Windows installation DVD into your PC’s CD-ROM drive,<\/li>\n
    2. Fully power down your PC, and make sure it has fully shut off,<\/li>\n
    3. Power up your PC,<\/li>\n
    4. Press any key when you see “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD..”<\/li>\n
    5. Click the link titled “Repair your computer<\/strong>”\u00a0in the bottom-lefthand corner, after first selecting your language and keyboard options.
      \n      \"Windows<\/a><\/li>\n
    6. Wait for Startup Repair to scan your PC for Windows installations, then select your install from the list it shows:
      \n      \"Startup<\/a><\/li>\n
    7. Choose “Startup Repair” from the list of available recovery options to begin:
      \n      \"Startup<\/a><\/li>\n
    8. Startup Repair will begin scanning your installation for known issues and will attempt a repair, if possible.
      \n      \"Windows<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      Here is an example of what the PC\u2019s startup repair should look like once the BCD\u00a0file is properly restored:<\/p>\n
      \"Missing<\/a><\/p>\n
      Empty\u00a0BCD file restored by Startup Repair<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
      Fix #3: Rebuild the BCD manually<\/h3>\n
      Since the boot error is often caused by an empty BCD file, rebuilding it is often a good\u00a0solution.<\/p>\n
      Here are the steps to rebuild the BCD:<\/p>\n
        \n
      1. Boot from the Windows install disc<\/li>\n
      2. Click on Repair your computer<\/strong> after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.<\/li>\n
      3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\\<\/code>, and click Next<\/strong><\/li>\n
      4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears<\/li>\n
      5. Write the following command and press Enter<\/kbd> afterwards:\n
        bootrec \/rebuildbcd<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
      6. If the program finds a Windows installation and asks whether it should add it to the boot list, press Y<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        Here is an example screenshot of what the PC’s console output should look like once Bootrec is done rebuilding the BCD.<\/p>\n
        \"Bootrec<\/a><\/p>\n
        Bootrec utility results screen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
        Fix #4:\u00a0Run sfc utility<\/h3>\n
        On Windows Vista and Windows 7, it is possible to use the built-in Windows SFC(system file checker) tool to automatically scan a computer’s system files and repair them if necessary.<\/p>\n
        Here are the steps to run SFC:<\/p>\n
          \n
        1. Boot from your Windows install disc<\/li>\n
        2. Click on Repair your co<\/strong>mputer<\/strong>\u00a0after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.<\/li>\n
        3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\\<\/code>, and click Next<\/strong><\/li>\n
        4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears<\/li>\n
        5. Write the following command and press Enter<\/kbd> afterwards:\n
          sfc \/scannow \/offbootdir=D:\\ \/offwindir=D:\\Windows\\<\/pre>\n
          Replace D: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed, and D:\\Windows with the Windows folder location.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the sfc.exe scan is complete and missing files are successfully restored:<\/p>\n
          \"System<\/a><\/p>\n
          System files restored by the SFC utility<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
          Fix #5: Check your disk with CHKDSK utility<\/h3>\n
          If the hard drive has its file integrity compromised, it is possible to use built-in Windows CHKDSK utility to scan the disk and fix the file system errors.<\/p>\n
          Here are the steps to run CHKDSK:<\/p>\n
            \n
          1. Boot from your Windows install disc<\/li>\n
          2. Click on Repair your co<\/strong>mputer<\/strong>\u00a0after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.<\/li>\n
          3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\\<\/code>, and click Next<\/strong><\/li>\n
          4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears<\/li>\n
          5. Write the following command and press Enter<\/kbd> afterwards:\n
            chkdsk C: \/f<\/pre>\n
            Replace C: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the chkdsk.exe is complete:<\/p>\n
            \"Chkdsk<\/a><\/p>\n
            Chkdsk utility results screen<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
            More Information<\/h2>\n
            Linked Entries<\/h3>\n