Windows 7 - invalid partition table

Hi all
i am new to the forum, my problem is that i am running windows 7 32bit on my kids pc, but on my pc i am running windows 7 64bit. the problem is on my kids pc - don't know what they have or haven't done to it, but it won't boot up in windows and keeps saying invalid partition table. when i put in the 32bit windows disk, and go to bios to change it to boot up from dvd rom, it keeps coming up with cdboot:cannot boot from cd - code:5.
basically i would love to just repair and save files on hard drive but if that's not possible then i need to wipe hard drive to start again. orginally the pc was running windows xp pro and then i over-rite with windows 7, the computer is old but does work properly been running windows 7 for about a year now, hard drive has been connected as ide, only has usb1 on the computer,this is just a basic description of the computer, in the bios it is seeing; hard drive and cd rom. any step by step guide would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

this may help u
Boot error code: 5

Hello cliff1, welcome to Seven Forums!


If you do end up doing a clean install it would probably be best to boot the Windows 7 installation disk to completely wipe secure erase the entire Hard Disk Drive before you start the install, just to get rid of any nasties they may have encountered.

Have a look through the information in these tutorials linked below for some ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

Microsoft Security Essentials

Try booting DVD with the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen. Check the CD to make sure it's clean.

Next try writing the DVD to flash stick: Install Ultra ISO, on File tab Open DVD, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's using one-time boot key.

Once booted, run Startup Repair repeatedly. If it fails, try running System Restore from the System Recovery Options list.

You can copy out your files using this: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then boot the DVD to clean reinstall following these tips which apply to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

If the disk or flash stick still will not boot, try burning to CD free Partition Wizard bootable CD which will autostart on its own, to wipe the HD from Disk tab. This should force the Windows 7 DVD to also autostart to reinstall.

If you need to copy files using an autostart CD try free Paragon Rescue CD.