How to Fix The Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information Error

How to Fix The Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information Error

Have you ever encountered the dreaded “Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information” error message while trying to start your computer? This can be a frustrating experience that leaves you feeling helpless and unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix this error and get your computer back up and running again.

What is the Boot Configuration Data File?

Before we dive into how to fix the error, let’s first understand what the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file is. The BCD file contains the information necessary to boot your computer, including the bootloader, operating system entries, and boot settings. In other words, it tells your computer what to do when it starts up.

What Causes the “Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information” Error?

Several factors can lead to the “Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information” error, including a corrupt BCD file, incorrect boot order, or a malfunctioning hard drive. These issues can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as power outages, software bugs, or hardware failure.

Steps to Fix the Error

Now that we understand the causes of the error let’s take a look at some steps to fix it:

Step 1: Use Automatic Repair

If you’re using Windows 10, you can use the built-in Automatic Repair feature to fix the error. To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Insert your Windows installation media and boot from it.
2. Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
3. Click on “Repair your computer.”
4. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

Step 2: Rebuild the BCD File

If automatic repair doesn’t work, you can try rebuilding the BCD file manually. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Insert your Windows installation media and boot from it.
2. Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
3. Click on “Repair your computer.”
4. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”
5. Type the following commands:

○ Bootrec /fixmbr
○ Bootrec /fixboot
○ Bootrec /scanos
○ Bootrec /rebuildbcd

6. Press Enter after each command and wait for it to complete before entering the next one.

Step 3: Check Hard Drive for Errors

If the previous steps don’t work, your hard drive may be the culprit. You can run a disk check to scan for errors and fix them. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “chkdsk /f /r C:” and press Enter. (Replace “C:” with the appropriate drive letter for the hard drive you want to check.)
3. Wait for the scan to complete and follow the on-screen instructions to fix any errors found.

Conclusion

The “Boot Configuration Data File Doesn’t Contain Valid Information” error can be frustrating to deal with, but with the right steps, you can fix it and get your computer back up and running. Remember to try the automatic repair feature first, rebuild the BCD file manually if necessary, and check your hard drive for errors. By following these steps, you can fix the error and prevent it from happening again in the future.