Windows fails to start following BIOS upgrade (error: 0xc0000098)
Windows fails to start following BIOS upgrade (error: 0xc0000098)
My current CPU model is Ryzen 5 2400G, paired with an MSI B350M PRO-VDH motherboard. After updating the BIOS to version E7A38AMS.AL6, Windows fails to boot and displays a specific error code: 0xc0000098 File: \BCD.
I have followed various YouTube guides and used ChatGPT for assistance. Here’s a summary of the steps I attempted:
- Created a Windows installation USB via the Media Creation Tool.
- Booted from the USB, accessed repair tools, and performed bootloader fixes using fixmbr, bootrec commands, and bcdboot.
- Used diskpart to detect and format the EFI partition, assigning it as Z:.
- Applied the BCD files, renamed them, and reformatted the drive multiple times.
- Recreated the USB stick using Rufus and GPT, resulting in two partitions appearing in the boot menu.
- Ran chkdsk on the Windows partition (D
without issues.- Renamed BCD files to BCD.bak and generated a new one, but no improvement was observed.
- Restructured the USB stick with different MBR/NTFS and GPT formats.
- Performed a system scan and confirmed no integrity issues.
- Enabled Secure Boot and tested both UEFI and Legacy modes.
- Attempted BIOS downgrade to an older version (E7A38AMS.AL3 Beta) via M-FLASH, but the error persisted.
- Used System Restore before the BIOS update; the issue reappeared after a restart.
- Experienced intermittent problems such as “Inaccessible Boot Device,” black screens post-restart, and unresponsive mouse/keyboard during boot.
I have tried several troubleshooting methods, but the core issue remains unresolved.
LupusGladiator
01-31-2026, 12:01 PM #1Hello, I'm experiencing significant problems with my Windows 10 system. I performed a BIOS update in preparation for upgrading my CPU to a Ryzen 7 5700x, which necessitated the BIOS modification.
My current CPU model is Ryzen 5 2400G, paired with an MSI B350M PRO-VDH motherboard. After updating the BIOS to version E7A38AMS.AL6, Windows fails to boot and displays a specific error code: 0xc0000098 File: \BCD.
I have followed various YouTube guides and used ChatGPT for assistance. Here’s a summary of the steps I attempted:
- Created a Windows installation USB via the Media Creation Tool.
- Booted from the USB, accessed repair tools, and performed bootloader fixes using fixmbr, bootrec commands, and bcdboot.
- Used diskpart to detect and format the EFI partition, assigning it as Z:.
- Applied the BCD files, renamed them, and reformatted the drive multiple times.
- Recreated the USB stick using Rufus and GPT, resulting in two partitions appearing in the boot menu.
- Ran chkdsk on the Windows partition (D without issues.
- Renamed BCD files to BCD.bak and generated a new one, but no improvement was observed.
- Restructured the USB stick with different MBR/NTFS and GPT formats.
- Performed a system scan and confirmed no integrity issues.
- Enabled Secure Boot and tested both UEFI and Legacy modes.
- Attempted BIOS downgrade to an older version (E7A38AMS.AL3 Beta) via M-FLASH, but the error persisted.
- Used System Restore before the BIOS update; the issue reappeared after a restart.
- Experienced intermittent problems such as “Inaccessible Boot Device,” black screens post-restart, and unresponsive mouse/keyboard during boot.
I have tried several troubleshooting methods, but the core issue remains unresolved.
First, I hope you have a discrete GPU since the Ryzen 7 5700x doesn't have an iGPU.
Second, even if your motherboard has a heatsink over it's VRM, expect the VRM area to run hot as the Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series were known to tax the VRM as they drew more power than the Ryzen 1000 and 2000 series.
Third,
My motherboard: MSI B350M PRO-VDH
I updated to BIOS version E7A38AMS.AL6
what BIOS version you on prior to the update? I hope your chipset drivers were also on the latest version prior to flashing the BIOS.
Fourth,
Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
Two partitions appeared in boot menu
You don't see Windows Boot Manager in Boot Device Priority list?
Moved thread from Motherboards section to Windows 10 section.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
First, I hope you have a discrete GPU since the Ryzen 7 5700x doesn't have an iGPU.
Second, even if your motherboard has a heatsink over it's VRM, expect the VRM area to run hot as the Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series were known to tax the VRM as they drew more power than the Ryzen 1000 and 2000 series.
Third,
My motherboard: MSI B350M PRO-VDH
I updated to BIOS version E7A38AMS.AL6
what BIOS version you on prior to the update? I hope your chipset drivers were also on the latest version prior to flashing the BIOS.
Fourth,
Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
Two partitions appeared in boot menu
You don't see Windows Boot Manager in Boot Device Priority list?
Moved thread from Motherboards section to Windows 10 section.
Yes, I have a GPU available.
Below are the details of my setup:
Previous BIOS Version: American Megatrends Inc. A.H0, 02.02.2019
I didn’t manually update chipset drivers before the flash.
Current CPU: Ryzen 5 2400G
CPU cooler: AMD Wraith Spire (boxed with Ryzen 5 2400G)
Motherboard: MSI B350M PRO-VDH
RAM: 2x 8gb DDR4
Storage: Crucial MX500 250 GB SSD & Seagate SkyHawk 1 TB HDD, SATA 6 Gb/s
Current GPU: AMD RX580 (planned upgrade to RTX 5070 once the system is back online)
Power Supply: 750W PSU (estimated lifespan 5-6 years; exact model unknown)
Chassis: Sharkoon T3-V
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Display: Lenovo monitor (model unspecified)
Installed BIOS: E7A38AMS.AL3
You don’t see the Windows Boot Manager in the Boot Device Priority list?
I do: "Windows Boot Manager (SATA1: CT250MX500SSD1)"
Hello, thank you for your response.
Yes, I have a GPU available.
Below are the details of my setup:
Previous BIOS Version: American Megatrends Inc. A.H0, 02.02.2019
I didn’t manually update chipset drivers before the flash.
Current CPU: Ryzen 5 2400G
CPU cooler: AMD Wraith Spire (boxed with Ryzen 5 2400G)
Motherboard: MSI B350M PRO-VDH
RAM: 2x 8gb DDR4
Storage: Crucial MX500 250 GB SSD & Seagate SkyHawk 1 TB HDD, SATA 6 Gb/s
Current GPU: AMD RX580 (planned upgrade to RTX 5070 once the system is back online)
Power Supply: 750W PSU (estimated lifespan 5-6 years; exact model unknown)
Chassis: Sharkoon T3-V
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Display: Lenovo monitor (model unspecified)
Installed BIOS: E7A38AMS.AL3
You don’t see the Windows Boot Manager in the Boot Device Priority list?
I do: "Windows Boot Manager (SATA1: CT250MX500SSD1)"
lukas_3434
01-31-2026, 12:01 PM #4Error message indicates the file volume has been changed externally, making the opened file invalid. First, check the drive mode in BIOS—whether it's SATA, RAID, or M.2. If the setting is wrong, the system won't recognize partitions and repair tools won't function. You can adjust the mode, try booting, and verify if the partition reads correctly. Your motherboard supports 4 SATA ports (RAID 0, 1, 10) and one M.2 slot. It's best to confirm the current mode before making changes.
iDoNotEvenLift
01-31-2026, 12:01 PM #5The SATA mode remains in AHCI Mode, and I have never adjusted it to any other setting.
ahci mode wouldn't need a non-microsoft driver. It would be the most reliable option because the driver gets updated by microsoft. I would maintain this setting if you confirm it wasn't configured as raid 0 by the OEM upon purchase. I've noticed instances where a chkdsk operation was necessary before executing diskpart.exe and bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd. Please note that on intel systems, this issue typically arose due to a bug in the intel rapid storage driver.