Windows might be unparalleled in its efficiency and popularity all around the globe. But errors and glitches still manage to hang around the Windows Operating System quite consistent Error Code 0xc0000098.
One of the prevalent and terribly annoying situations is the appearance of the error code 0xc0000098. Though it is seen in almost all of the versions, Windows 10 is the version that the users majorly complain about, being a widely used OS.
0xc0000098: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS entry is the error message which torments the users and leads to spurring them for the remedy of the same.
So, if you are getting the same error with your Windows 10 system, then rejoice. Here we are with the appropriate solutions to get you rid of this pestering error code.
Detecting the Error Code 0xc0000098
First of all, you would be aware of the situations that you might be in which shall lead you to detect the error 0xc0000098 in this section.
0xc0000098 Popping up in the Startup Screen
The Windows Corporation brought the BOOTMGR into being in its Windows Vista and kept up with it strongly even in its subsequent versions of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. This program uses a database of entries summed up as the BCD.
Through the Boot Configuration Database(BCD) if the BCD file lacks the entries specific to the Operating System, you can find the error code 0xc0000098 surfacing on the screen. And this error code rises up to haunt you with its error message which goes as:
Case 1
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
- Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
- Choose your language settings, and then click “Next.”
- Click “Repair your computer.”
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc0000098
Info: The Windows Boot Configuration Data file does not contain a valid OS entry.
If you face this on your screen, then you might be a user of an older version of the Windows OS. But, if you are using a newer version of Windows, you will get the following error message:
Recovery
Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
The Boot Configuration Data file doesn’t contain valid information for an operating system.
File: \Boot\BCD
Error code: 0xc0000098
Case 2
You’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.
These messages come up if the file(s) are unknown. It is important to note that a device driver can also be the miscreant if it is incompatible with the Windows system. However, if a specific file can be pointed out, then it is usually mentioned in the File segment. Therefore, the error message here comes up as:
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
- Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
- Choose your language settings, and then click “Next.”
- Click “Repair your computer.”
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance.
File: \Windows\System32\Drivers\aswVmm.sys
Status: 0xc0000098
Info: Windows failed to load because of a critical system driver is missing, or corrupt.
What Causes the Error Code 0xc0000098 Windows 10?
The causes of this particular error code have been diagnosed as many. Hence, we mention some of them in the following section:
1st Cause – BCD is Devoid of Entries
Primarily, this error is triggered if BCD has not got any entries in it. Writing errors of disks, outages of power, viruses in the boot sector or even errors when BCD is configured manually can culminate in this situation.
2nd Cause – The Hard Drive Driver is not Compatible
If the driver of the device is not compatible with the hard drive, this can easily worry you and turn into an annoying error, namely the error code 0xc0000098. This mostly happens if the system is updated recently or due to a new service pack installation.
Wiping the Error Code 0xc0000098 Clean Promptly
The error code 0xc0000098 is something which can easily get into your nerves but if you go through this segment, you can be out of your worries.
This is because along this section of the post we will give out some of the most effective methods for you to steer clear of the bothering error code. So, jump into them:
Method 1: Use the Startup Repair
Startup Repair is a really significant process in Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. This can provide extremely satisfactory results. It is basically used for scanning the system. This scan can ultimately result in finding out the damaged or missing system files and then, replace the BCD if it lacked entries.
You can easily opt for the Startup Repair and for this, you need to start from the Windows setup disc. If you want to perform it right now, check below:
- First of all, get a hold of your Windows installation DVD and insert it into your PC’s CD drive.
- Shut your PC down now.
- Now, power your PC on again.
- Tap a key of your choice from the keyboard as soon as you see “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.”
- Here, as you see the link titled “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left hand corner of the screen, you need to click it, just after you select the language and keyboard options.
- Next, give some time for the Startup Repair to scan your PC for the Windows installations. This shall be followed by selecting the preferred install from the list you see.
- After that, pick “Startup Repair” from the list of the options that you will get.
- This will make Startup Repair scan the installation for any issues that may be there with your system.
Method 2 – Building the BCD Manually
As the boot error is commonly caused by an empty BCD file. Hence, building the BCD again is really an appreciable option. Thus, to rebuild the BCD here lies the steps:
- Start with the Windows install disc to boot.
- Choose Repair your computer just after you select the appropriate language, time and keyboard input.
- Now, go for the installation drive of your Operating System which is marked by C:\ and then click Next.
- Then, click on the Command Prompt as you see the System Recovery Options box coming up.
- Write the command bootrec /rebuildbcd and then tap Enter.
- Here, if you get a Windows installation prompted by the program and ask you whether it should attach it to a list of the boot devices, tap Y.
Method 3 – Check with the SFC Utility
The SFC Utility is also an option that the users can go for. So, here you can check the steps out to run the steps:
- First, go for booting via the Windows installation disc.
- Next, choose to Repair your Computer after you select the language, time, and keyboard input that is appropriate.
- Then, select the installation drive of your Windows which starts with C:\ and then click Next.
- Here, select Command Prompt as you see the System Recovery Options box popping up on the screen.
- Finally, write sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows\ and then tap Enter.
Here, you have to replace the drive D: with the drive, your Windows is installed in and D:\Windows with the location of the Windows folder.
Method 4 – Use CHKDSK Utility to Check the Disk
The CHKDSK program has also been quite fruitful on several occasions to get the users respite from this pestering error code 0xc0000098. Some of the steps are laid down below which will help you to run CHKDSK. Hence, follow:
- Get hold of the Windows installation disc to boot the system.
- Go for the Repair your Computer as you select the language, time, and keyboard input which are relevant.
- Choose the installation drive of your Windows which is most of the time C:\ and then go for Next.
- Then, open Command Prompt as you see the System Recovery Options box.
- Type the following command chkdsk C: /f followed by pressing Enter at the end.
These methods will definitely take you out of your worries by eradicating the code 0xc0000098 from your device. If you want more articles as informative as this was, keep in touch with us.
