Windows 7: MBR not found when booting Windows 7 (Dual-boot with linux)

Have a look at this one, be aware, if used it does the WHOLE HDD, it won't do just a partition; just an idea.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Will do so, get back to you soon.

By the way I wanted to edit my previous post to add something, but the forums are being DDoSed it seems:

EDIT: theog multi-booting (dual in this case) will not pose a problem for me, as I can sort out and configure grub2 fine (it's between Ubuntu and Windows 7, not Windows XP and 7 by the way). The problem is the MBR issue with Windows 7.

For that problem, both of you recommended the same tutorial (System Repair), but unfortunately I was not able to fix it.

Thanks so far, not sure what else I can do. Data is the least because I keep that in the data hard drive, it's just an annoyiance to reinstall 7 because of all the software.

Too bad it hasn't been sorted so far; do post back to keep us informed though.

Seeing as I have not been able to repair it yet (System Repair never locates the hard drive with 7 and always fails) I might just format and reinstall 7 on that hard drive, then it should be bootable and grub2 will be used for multi-booting.

I still have one question though: that last link you provided is just for zeroing out the whole hard drive? I haven't understood the problem with that 100 MB boot partition, what would it imply assuming that I install it on the 500 GB hard drive while I have grub2 (boot loader) and Ubuntu both on the 250 GB drive? Is it less efficient with the 100 MB partition?

Try unplugging the Ubuntu HD, mark Windows 7 active then boot the Windows 7 DVD Repair or REpair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times. You may need to unplug XP HD also.

If this starts Windows 7, use EasyBCD 2.0 to Add XP to Windows-managed Dual Boot, or unplug Windows 7 and run an XP Repair Install so XP HD becomes independent as well, booted via the BIOS.

Once these two drives boot independently via BIOS boot order or the one-time Bios Boot Menu (look for the key given on first boot screen or in your mobo manual) unplug both and reinstall or repair Ubuntu to also boot independently via BIOS.

This keeps all HD's independent to come and go as you please, and keeps GRUB from interfering at all.

I no longer have XP, I stated in my original post that it's only Ubuntu+7 and a third data hard drive.

I will attempt to unplug the Ubuntu and data hard drives, perhaps the repair tool might be successful then. Afterwards I'd just reconnect all drives, set the hard drive with grub2 as first boot in the bios and then keep a 7 entry in grub2. Doing this will (I've done it in the past with XP+Linux) in theory allow me to enter 7 from grub2 or directly as a first boot hard drive.

Thanks for the help so far, will get back when I have more results.

SOLVED: gregrocker's advice worked, I unplugged all hard drives and then the System Repair tool identified Windows 7 and was able to fix it. Afterward I plugged everything back in, gave top boot priority to the grub2 hard drive and am now able to choose between Ubuntu or Windows 7.

Thanks for the help!

Hello again sord.




Glad you got it booting again; thanks for the update.