Windows 7: Ran "Testdisk" to fix External HDD, Now laptop wont boot

Hi all,
I have an asus UL30A laptop computer, running windows 7 64 bit home premium. I recently had an external HDD fail, so I tried running a few restoration progs on it, most recently "Testdisk" I think it was. Now I dont know if they're related, but since running, on the next reboot, when I turn on my laptop, I get the message "reboot and select boot device". I checked BIOS settigs and restoring them etc, but nothing. So I inserted the manuafacturers recovery disk and inserted in into my external dvd drive and in bios selected boot from this drive. It loaded up, gave me the options to install on 1st partition, both partions etc. I tried one option, then another, and i got the word "ERROR" in big red writing! What the heck have I done? I really don't have the money at present to be going to a repair shop, thus I came here. I hope its nothing too serious, but I feel it is, but still hope somebody can help me out there. Its really stressing my head. Anyway, enough of that and thanks for reading.
ND

Maybe you ran it on the wrong drive?
Can't say I've ever heard of "test disk" .
You may end up having to rebuild your
Master Boot Files. Or I could be wrong.
By the way, when it gave you the options
what did you choose?

Yes, I was thinking that but i really didn't think i did,because i tried to be careful. If i have imdeed done that, how do i rebuild master boot files? And i wrote its to 1st partition only, then chose both partitions. The last option i didnt try was something like, ENTIRE HD.

Hello NateD Welcome to the Seven Forums!

First I will mention the home page and information for the TestDisk tool can be looked over at TestDisk - CGSecurity

As for your problem there the run of TestDisk somehow trashed the mbr or BCD store possibly. The first option would be use of the Startup repair tool if you have a 7 recovery disk or use the option to burn a repair cd found in the Control Panel>Backup & Restore section. The SF guide on for repair of boot problems is seen at MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

You can also download a disk image for the same you simply burn to blank cd-r from Windows 7 Repair and Recovery CD Download | The NeoSmart Files

Yup, what he said.

Hi, thanks for the reply, but i cant even access control panel, as I can even load up into OS at the moment, i just get a black screen, with the message i mentioned, in white writing. I put in my recovery disk and only had wiping options, i never had any command prompt options etc as mentioned in the link? Really stuck in a rut now, especially as i have important family pics on there, and documents

If you have a blank cd-r and can burn a disk on another machine go for the repair cd image for 7 at the Neosmart link. That will have what you need.

The other option would be seeing the disk image written to a usb flash drive made bootable. Neosmart provides the repair tools for both Vista and 7 originally intended for those with laptops/desktops that came without any recovery media.

You still need to be able to boot live with a disk(or flash drive) for the repair tools. If you are unable to boot into safe mode even you know the boot sector has to be repaired.

As far as your important files there are different options for backing those up even without Windows loading. The first is simply installing the drive on another machine internally or easier use an external usb enclosure for seeing that backed up to the replacement external HD once you have that.

The other OSs can also provide a non Windows method when running a live session for access to the C volume while booting from a live cd or dvd or even a live flash drive. Using the "Other OS" For a USB Rescue Device?

These are some of the things you would look at prior to the last final option of seeing a full recovery meaning the C volume is wiped clean for the fresh copy of Windows.

First finding a way to get you booted live in order to make repair efforts first however is what to focus on. The methods for boot repair when tried will likely see fast results and get you running again. A basic quick fix rather then trashing everything when a full recovery after a drive wipe seems a bit unnecessary.

The next easiest methods following using an external enclosure are:
Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

backup files using PartedMagic

Rescue Kit Free Edition - CNET Download.com