Installing Windows 8 doesn't dual boot with Windows 7

abbasmohd56 · 31 Dec 2012

I have a HP g6-2151se notebook
Before Installing windows 8 I had Widows 7 Home Basic x64 with 4 Primary Partitions
1. C: labelled 'Local Disk' which had Windows 7 installed.
2. F: labelled 'Windows 8 Pro' to install windows 8 in it.
3. D: labelled 'RECOVERY'.
4. Hidden Partition labelled 'HP_TOOLS'.
After Installing Windows 8 in an empty partition F: My laptop directly boots into windows 8 without any option.
When I checked the Disk management The letters got changed and I cannot open the Local Disk partition.
Here is a screenshot of my Disk management.

Here is the screenshot of the popup I get when I open Local Disk

When I press cancel This pops up

Also that every time I reboot my laptop at the start screen I get " Scanning and Repairing Disk D:" (100%)

Please Help. I'm in Trouble

theog · 31 Dec 2012

As you delete the System Reserved Partition, where the Windows 7 boot files are installed, this is what happens.

Download the Paragon free try Rescue kit:
Rescue Kit Free Edition | PARAGON Software Group - free partition software, hard disk partitioning
To try to Rescue the partition.

abbasmohd56 · 31 Dec 2012

I tried the Paragon rescue kit but it didn't help me
When i clicked on "Find OSes on the Harddrive", It showed me "Windows 8" and "RECOVERY"
Windows 7 was not there at all
I also tried to repair the MBR but no use
Please help, I need that Partition.
I would also add that the Windows 7 partition has been changed from NTFS to RAW
This time when I rebooted the system it again showed " Scanning and Repairing Disk (D:) 100% complete"
Should I use the Windows 7 repair Disk.
Should I change it from RAW to NTFS using Mini tools Partition Wizard.
Please help

gregrocker · 31 Dec 2012

The D partition containing Win7 has been ruined somehow as signified by the RAW label.

Try running Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help
to see if it can be recovered to the same space. If not you'll need to use a data Recovery software like the one on Partition Wizard or Recuva - Features before Clean Install Windows 7 from boot which should configure a Dual Boot with Win8.

abbasmohd56 · 01 Jan 2013

Thank you gregrocker for the reply.I ran the Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard and found the lost partition but still there is a Problem.
The Screenshots are here

Case 1:

Case 2:

In both the cases I get this popup

My Question is if I Choose The Partition with Windows 7 will I be able to boot in it?
Because Win 7 partition (case 1) is not having a drive letter. If i go with case 1, I think I should boot into with paragon rescue kit CD and give the Win 7 partition the letter C: because before installing windows 8 it had Drive letter C:. If it doesn't boot then i'll insert a Win 7 repair disk and repair the start up.

SHOULD I DO THIS OR

If I go with Case 2 will the 'RECOVERY' or 'HP_TOOLS' partition be deleted.
What will you Recommend
Please Help

gregrocker · 01 Jan 2013

I'd save a backup image of Windows 8 if you dont want to have to reinstall it.

Then recover C Win7. It doesn't appear to want to recover the 200mb System Reserved boot partition, so if Win7 doesn't stat after recovering its ruined partition, use Partition Wizard to create a Primary NTFS partition labeled System Reserved in the 200mb space, rightclick it to Modify>Set to Active, then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and the SysReserved partition is labeled System Active.

If this fails, mark C Active and run the 3 separate Startup Repairs with reboots to write the boot files to C.

Your other options are to run HP System Recovery from boot to set the PC back to factory condition, or to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to the ruined C, deleting it during booted install using installer provided. But you would lose your data which I'm assuming is one reason you want to recover C. If you have your data backed up you might look at this as an opportunity to do the vastly superior Clean Reinstall following the steps in tutorial to get it perfect.

abbasmohd56 · 02 Jan 2013

OK I'll go with case 1 and try to boot in it.
But before that I need to make a disc of factory OEM Windows 7 Home Basic which I cannot find in your Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 tutorial

theog · 02 Jan 2013

Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows Vista) | HP® Support

You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Country-Language Selector | HP® Support

abbasmohd56 · 02 Jan 2013

Okay! I've got the HP Recovery Manager from the RAW disk using EaseUS data Recovery Wizard.
I noticed that in Case 1 in Reply #5 the NTFS partition with Win 7 is logical. Before installing win 8 it was Primary. Is it safe to recover the partition?
currently I am creating the Recovery media using the HP Recovery manager.

gregrocker · 02 Jan 2013

I don't know what you're doing with Easeus Recovery Wizard if you intend to recover Win7 partition using Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard. This might mess up the partition recovery you had cued.

I also don't see where it says C is Logical. But if it's Logical you can leave it if you pursue the choice I gave you to re-create the 200mb System Reserved partition, or use PW to Modify>Set to Primary if you end up marking C Active to write the System boot files to it.