Windows 7: WIN 7 does not boot after reformatting HD. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi. I have an acer aspire notebook (you know this does not end well).

I formatted the HD using an external CD drive. I reformatted the entire drive NTFS, and I did not multiple partition the HD.

I then proceeded to use ACER's own CDs to re-install WIn 7.

The OS does not boot.

Parameters:




-bios was reset
-the hard drive works.
-the boot software indicates that the system CDs were loaded.
-the boot software can read the operating system loaded onto the partition.
-the computer, for some reason, cannot find the boot record or the windows directory.


OK, dumb question. Why cant the computer boot if I used the factory CDs to install the OS AND the CD drive can see the operating system on the hard drive?

Finally, this computer was working two days ago, admittedly with linux, which I got fed up with, which is why I reinstalled win 7, using Acer's factory CDs.

All Linux code must be deleted using the CLEAN ALL command.As you have had linux on the HD you need do a Clean all & full format.


1) Boot DVD & Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)
DISKPART : At PC Startup
Command Prompt at Startup


2)Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT



SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

While theres no harm in cleaning the disk as Theog suggested, the problem may have to do with Acer. Last i knew, acer recovery disks need at least 2 partitions on the hard disk to get going. Theres also something called a Post Acer Disk Formatter CD iso (believe it or not) which apparently formats and preps the hard disk. It may differ for different models.

After cleaning, if its still no go, try creating a couple of partitions say one for windows the other for data (so size them sensibly), then try using the recovery disks. If still no joy hunt for that silly formatter.

Of course I may be completely wrong and Acer has dispensed with this medieval arrangement.

mmmm if this is true... Have you checked if your formatted size is that of the entire drive as you say?

If so, it doesn't sound like you still have other stuff on... but more that the Windows 7 install did not go well:
Clean Install Windows 7

This may sound trivial but try it anyway. I've done a clonezilla partition backup image which I restored to a formatted NTFS hard drive. It was a partition backup of the big 127 GB (or whatever) partition, but not the little 2MB partition. So when I tried to boot it failed. To get it working, the little partition was necessary. To fix the problem enter your windows 7 install disk and boot from it. Then choose the repair option. Choose to repair for boot problems, and then reboot. It still should NOT boot after the first reboot, but boot for a second time from the repair disk, and repair it again. This time it booted for me.

As far as Windows 7 repair disk goes, I have had to choose repair and reboot up to 5 times or so depending on the nature of the start up problem. So I'd boot to win 7, let it auto repair, reboot, and do that a couple of times. This might be the only problem.

As far as Linux goes, something like Ubuntu Natty Narwhal 11.04 is a cinch to install and is no harder than win 7 to use, and has a great support community. I've always thought the better you get at using computers, the more you'll see the problems with windows. It's the nature of corporations anyway to bungle things like basic, home premium, business, professional, ultimate etc. The problem is even the windows versions don't get along with each other, and they are all the same company!

Sorry about the extra info, but Linux is a GREAT o.s. Sorry it gave you trouble.



Good luck.

Hello Gunnar34, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look through the information in this tutorial at the link below for some additional ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

I would use or locate a Windows 7 Installation DVD to clean reinstall, choose |Custom Install, delete all partitions, create new as you wish, format before install.

Follow these steps to get a Perfect Reinstall

|This is a much superior install to running factory Recovery which is larded with preinstalled bloatware and useless utilities which have much better versions built into Windows 7.

I like this idea Gunnar. My Acer netbook has 3 partitions on it: Recovery (13Gb), SYSTEM RESERVED (100Mb), and then System C:\ (the rest). My bet is that your recovered partition needs/wants the 100Mb part where the boot data is expected to be.

OK, I've read the feedback. A few things... I did completely reformat the HD, but what I understand from the many generous responses is that I need more than one partition. I'll try that, though I am surprised the installation CD allowed me to walk through a 90 minute installation (twice) without telling me a second partition was needed and missing.

After doing more homework, I get the impression the acer cant find the boot files. So, I am **not** supposed to have the boot files on the same partition as the OS?

(pardon me, as you can see I am fairly clueless).

P.S. Like the idea of the CLEAN INSTALL.

I will advise as to how this works out.

thanks for all the responses so far.