Windows 7: Cannot boot after deleting old windows7 partition.. White cursor

Hello, new here

I see other people have the same problem as me but I think I have a different cause than any of the others I've seen.

I have my current system drive (C) on a 60GB SSD. I also have a 2TB HDD that has partitions for my Recovery (F), Data (E), and Old Windows (D). I have had it setup this way for over a month working just fine.

Today I formatted the (D) partition on the HDD to add more space to the Data partition. I used MiniTool Partition Wizard to do this. Upon reboot, I got the black screen with a blinking white cursor. I rebooted from my Windows7 disk and tried to recover my system (since I back up my C&E drives along with a system image of C every morning). I also have an external that I backed up C&D and a system image of C on 3 days ago. When I tried to enter system recovery I got this message:

“This version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows”

I then went into the BIOS and disabled my HDD and tried to boot override on the SSD but I got the same black screen. When I tried to enter system recovery again my operating system is no longer listed as an option even after enabling the HDD again. After that I tried to load the only system image that was listed (from my Recovery partition) but it gave me the error:

"The selected system image cannot be restored in this recovery environment. To restore this system image: 1: Insert a system repair disc or a Windows installation disc (x64) 2. Boot the computer from the disc 3. Choose 'Restore your computer using a system image that you created earlier', and then select this system image"



My external does not show up as an option for either the system recovery or system image even though it is enabled in the BIOS. I know I have the right boot disk and that I am on 64-bit Windows so needless to say I'm perplexed.

Thanks in advance

Boot into Partition Wizard CD to post back a camera snap of the maximized drive map and listings: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

Normally you'd rightclick in PW CD on Windows 7 partition to Modify>Set to Active, click OK. If partition won't mark Active you may need to convert from Logical to Primary first: Video help on how to set partition as Primary or Logical. Keep in mind you can only have 4 Primary or 3 Primary and unlimited Logical partitions.

Then click on the HD # to highlight it, from Disk tab choose Rebuild MBR, Apply all steps, reboot.

If Windows 7 doesn't start boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times. You may need to download the Windows 7 installer with SP1 if the other two methods to access Options fail: See Step 5 in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot.

If these steps above don't work unplug all other HD's which may be interfering - another reason we should see the screenshot first, and you should have asked first if this is something you don't do regularly.

Thank you very much for the help Gregrocker,

I completed the steps given and ran the startup repair 3 times. Now I get "BOOTMGR is missing Press Ctrl Alt Del to Restart"

I attached a picture of my drive map on PW CD.

Thanks again for the help

Have you set Windows 7 HD first to boot in BIOS setup? The error normally means the wrong disk is set to boot.

If Win 7 will not start after running up to 3 Startup Repairs with reboots, di you then remove the other HD to run the Repairs again? Try that now, with Windows 7 HD set first to boot.

It's doubtful the Recovery partition on Disk2 will run any longer without an OS although you can test it to see if it will boot using the hotkey at boot. If not or you don't want it anyway then in Disk Mgmt you can delete it and Old Windows 7 partition then create a new partition there, or resize your Data partition into that space using Partition Wizard bootable CD: Partition Wizard Resize Partition Video Help.

Thanks for the quick reply. I set the SSD with Windows7 on it to first boot priority with 3 startup repairs and no luck so I physically disconnected the HDD and did 3 more repairs and reboots. I got the "BOOTMGR is missing" again, this is weird because I installed Windows7 on the SSD with the HDD disconnected.

Here is the message I get when I do the startup repairs

Double check the Windows 7 SSD is set first to boot in BIOS. Are you sure?

Next boot PW CD to check Windows 7 partition is marked Active, then click on HD # to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply steps. Reboot. If Windows 7 doesn't start try repairs again.

Are you using Windows 7 DVD or Repair CD to run Repairs. What changed to stop getting the error you first reported about wrong version?

OK I confirmed the OCZ Agility SSD is priority #1 in the BIOS boot list and did rest of the steps but no luck still.

for my original question, I get this error I still get when I try to select my operating system. The other picture is the cd I'm using for system recovery and repair (behind the flash is says SP1)

Your CyberPower DVD can only be used to carry out a factory restore.

To run a Startup Repair on your SSD, you need either the Windows 7 DVD you used to install Windows on the SSD or create your own system repair disc.

System Repair Disc - Create

OK, Wow thank you for the advice. I didn't know the disc couldn't be used for both things. It says on your link that only a 64bit Windows7 can make a 64bit repair disc and the laptop I'm currently using is 32bit. Is there any way around this or do I have to just find a friend with 64bit Windows? (could be tough).

I see there are websites where you can buy these ISO files and burn to CD for about $10. Is this a viable option?

Better still, you can download an official Windows 7 ISO and use it to carry out a clean install using the COA product key on your computer for activation.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7