WDFLDR.SYS Missing or corrupt --- Vista x64

[Overslop]

When I turned on the PC today, Windows failed to load and I was shown the following message:

'WDFLDR.SYS Missing or corrupt, Error Code: 0xc0000098'

I couldn't get into Windows using any of the options such as last known good configuration or safe mode.

I inserted the Windows DVD and ran the repair wizard. It discovered an issue and appeared to be resolving it, but when I restarted the error message reappeared. I've since re-run the wizard a number of times, but every time no progress in made.

I couldn't restore from my most recent system restore points, but one from a few days ago did appear to work. However, upon restarting the error message was still persisting.

Significantly, I have had 2 different error messages involving Windows boot files since I had my current PC. The last one was around three months ago, and the previous one was around three months before that. However, using the Windows restore wizard solved those problems without too many troubles.

I have tried Googling this problem, and found others who have experienced this also. But no solution was found in any of the topics I read. One suggestion looked promising, when somebody said to run "sfc /scannow" in Command Prompt. But when I try this, it says:

"Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation."

I really don't want to lose all my personal files, as lazily I did not back them up. Short of reinstalling Vista, how can I remedy this situation? And how can I stop these issues from occurring? Are my overclocking settings not stable enough (despite passing vigorous stress testing)? Is my hard drive at fault?

Please help me with this annoying problem.

 

[Overslop]

Bump

 

[Theguy]

if you just reinstalled vista, (not formating or ne thing), you wouldnt lose your docs, unless your secured them. however it sounds to me like your HD is on its way out. how long you had it? -

i would reconmend going back to stock settings, perhaps use 4gb and not 8gb. just incase its putting too much strain on the northbridge..

 

[Overslop]

if you just reinstalled vista, (not formating or ne thing), you wouldnt lose your docs, unless your secured them. however it sounds to me like your HD is on its way out. how long you had it? -

i would reconmend going back to stock settings, perhaps use 4gb and not 8gb. just incase its putting too much strain on the northbridge..

Reinstalling Vista leaves your files intact? I never realised this, are you sure?

How would it effect installed programmes and updates etc.?

Also, I don't really want to run at stock clocks as performance would make take a massive hit.

As for 8GB, I could happily run without that, but are you sure that's what is causing my problems? I was under the impression that many people with my motherboard rub 8GB fine.

I've owned the hard drive since building this PC, so about 6 months ago.

 

[Overslop]

Hmm, I went to reinstall Windows. The Upgrade option was disabled and it said that reinstalling the other way would make me lose all my files.

 

[Overslop]

I was wondering...

If I bought a secondary hard drive and installed Windows to that...

I could then extract the files from my primary hard drive. Right?

 

[Overslop]

Bump

 

[HungryHippos]

Hmm, I went to reinstall Windows. The Upgrade option was disabled and it said that reinstalling the other way would make me lose all my files.

Afaik you can only "upgrade" if you are going from one version of vista to another and even then there are limitations in the upgrade paths you can take!

By the looks of things you have already tried Startup repair and system restore, there may be a way to copy the file over using Command Prompt however but I don't have specifics

Problem with system restores is that they are unlikely to fix a bootup issue, startup repair is designed for that

If you have another hard disk you should be able to install vista onto it and copy your files off, this is probably the best way to do it, I would also consider setting your overclock back to stock, but chances are the damage is done already so you would need to reinstall the OS

 

[Overslop]

Afaik you can only "upgrade" if you are going from one version of vista to another and even then there are limitations in the upgrade paths you can take!

By the looks of things you have already tried Startup repair and system restore, there may be a way to copy the file over using Command Prompt however but I don't have specifics

Problem with system restores is that they are unlikely to fix a bootup issue, startup repair is designed for that

If you have another hard disk you should be able to install vista onto it and copy your files off, this is probably the best way to do it, I would also consider setting your overclock back to stock, but chances are the damage is done already so you would need to reinstall the OS

I remembered an old IDE hard drive I had lying around, so have stuck that in the case and am now installing Vista to it.

Could I just copy the WDFLDR.SYS file from the new install and paste over the old one to get it working? Will give it a try anyways as I don't have anything to lose.

If it's my overclocking causing this, then how can I prevent this from happening again? Not overclocking isn't an option as the decrease in performance is too much. Or if the hard drive is faulty, how can I test it to be sure? Or if the 8GB is straining the computer too much, how can I tell?

 

[Overslop]

Well, I tried to delete the file in question so I could replace it.

But Visa isn't allowing me to do so, or edit the permissions to enable me to. Any way around that?

 

[Overslop]

OK, managed to find a way around that myself...

Copied the file over and now I'm back into Windows on the old setup. Will update shortly.

 

[Overslop]

Everything seems to be working OK atm, seems to have worked.

Now just have to find a way to stop this happening again...