Booting Issue (TestDisk / PartedMagic)

Here's an update:

Original problem was that I was receiving an unmountable boot volume error with a BSOD. After taking a stab at a few solutions the situation is now this. Upon being able to enter the recovery console the only Windows 7 installation showing up on the list is the system recovery reserve. I can access the command prompt, but cannot perform all commands, for example upon entering "diskpart" and than "list disk" the prompt does nothing.

I noticed the system reserve portion of the HDD was set as "boot." I used a bootable OS (PartedMagic) to set the "boot" partition to the C: the system partition. I also redirected Windows Load Manager / Boot Manager to "C:" for "default ospartition" etc.

Rebooting I found a new error "bootmgr not found" so I copied the boot files from the system reserved recovery porition of the HDD to the system porition. Now following the windows loading bar, I receive a blank screen, and cannot access the recovery console via the installation disc. Anyone have any suggestions? ANY advice is extremely appreciated!

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original problem

Hey guys,

Having a seemingly severe problem, and was wondering if anyone had any potential tips. Here's the story: Was running Windows 7 32bit on my HP laptop, when it unexpectedly shut down due to the battery reaching very low levels. (the reason for this was battery calibration)

The problem begins here. Upon reboot I receive the error "unmountable boot volume" on the standard blue error screen. I did some research and found that running a "chkdisk" would potentially remedy the situation. Downloaded a Windows 7 32bit recovery iso, booted from it to run a "chkdisk" from the command line, but after the first menu (language select) didn't receive any further prompts (just a blank windows themed screen)

I then downloaded "PartedMagic" (not to be confused with Partition Magic), a bootable OS featuring a wide array of tools. I ran a program called TestDisk and rewrote my MFT using the MFT mirror. Hoping this would solve the problem, I rebooted to find a different error as opposed to the blue screen. I didn't record the code, however it was a generic "Windows Failed to Start" error, which seems to have resulted from the MFT being rewritten.

Upon seeing this, I injected my Windows 7 installation disc, which I realized I should have done at the start. I got to the "repair my computer" screen and chose "Startup Repair" but noticed my OS partition wasn't showing up for scanning, only another partition labeled "D" that read space: 0 Having a good feeling that scanning this "D" partition would not solve any problem, as it wasn't the OS one, I went ahead and started the scan just hoping for some fortune. I came back over an hour later to find it still scanning. I promptly canceled this, although it said the scan make take over an hour, I had a feeling this was a futile attempt.

Which leaves me at the current position. I can no longer get to the recovery council from either discs, and can't boot up Windows. (instead of a blue screen, or error report, I now get a blank screen following the standard Windows 7 loading bar)

Some options I have are: booting PartedMagic and utilizing one of many tools. One of these tools TestDisk (which I used earlier to rewrite the MFT) gives me some options as well. I'm not well versed in either of the programs, but am more than able to follow advice. Below are links to both the site for Parted Magic, and a TestDisk's Wiki.

What's semi-assuring is, I see the worst case scenario as formatting the drive, and re-installing 7, however I want to pursue this as a last effort.

* Also I wanted to note, I was able to see my data through PartMagic, from both partitions (the OS and data) so the drive isn't corrupt!

* TestDisk reads "Hidden Sectors Present" before running a search for these sectors, it displays the following

" Partition Start End Size In Sectors

P HPFS - NTFS 0 32 33 12 223 19 173921687

Error:size boot_sector 802639530 > partition 802639529 Invalid NTFS or EXFAT boot"

This info / message is displayed beside my other partitions which are without error. An option I have is to search for the sector, and rewrite the partition. However wanted to see if anyone had input before doing this.

Any advice or help on this is extremely appreciated, and can't be stated enough, as, as of this moment I'm lost.

Either way, if you have no advice, thanks for taking the time to read through this, I appreciate it very much anyways,

Camaren

links:

List of Parted Magic tools
Test Disk wiki
Running Test Disk
NTFS MFT Boot Repair page