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Windows 7: Installed W7 from secondary hard drive, now I can't boot! (pics)

23 Aug 2012   #1

W7
 
 
Installed W7 from secondary hard drive, now I can't boot! (pics)

I tried something new- installing Windows 7 from a second SATA hard drive. I extracted my Windows 7 iso from MSDNAA to the hard drive, and was able to boot from it. Then, I told the installer to install windows to my main drive. Unfortunately, it seems that Windows has incorporated my Windows 7 iso drive (the secondary one) as part of the boot routine, and I can't remove it. My system will only boot if I tell it to use the secondary drive as the boot disk. However when I get into Windows, the secondary drive isn't displayed!

Here were the drives I used-
240gb: The one I wanted to install windows ONTO
40gb: The one I installed windows FROM


How can I fix this? Here is the result of my diskpart, disk management, and my computer screens:

Thanks!







My System SpecsSystem Spec

23 Aug 2012   #2

Windows 7 SP1, Home Premium, 64-bit
 
 

Looks like the small drive is marked system. That's where your boot files are.

You need to get the boot files onto C.

I think EasyBCD is the typical tool for that.

Fiddle around with this:

Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD
My System SpecsSystem Spec
23 Aug 2012   #3

Windows 7 x64
 
 

Make the C: partition active then open an administrative command prompt and type:

bcdboot C:\Windows /s C:

Should take care of it and allow boot to whichever drive is primary. You may want to remove the active status from the SSD after you reboot.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


23 Aug 2012   #4

Win7 x 6 PC's
California, Florida, Boston
 
 

Neither of the above solutions will rewrite WinRE to the F8 Advanced boot tools which is a convenience most users prefer.

For this reason the Best Practice to get all necessary functions restored is Marking Win7 Partition Active then running Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Windows 7 starts and holds the System boot flag. You'll need to unplug the other HD so it doesn't interfere.

I wonder why you wouldn't want the OS on the better-performing SSD, with the files and any lower priority programs (if necessary) placed on the HDD? Best method for this is to copy the User folders to the HD, then rightclick each to link to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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 Installed W7 from secondary hard drive, now I can't boot! (pics) problems?



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