Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?

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  1. Posts : 8
    win 7 pro 64bit
       #1

    Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?


    I have windows 7 installed on my primary drive, but my laptop doesn't think there is an OS installed.
    I don't know how, but I wonder if its been deactivated..

    I was having trouble making a system image backup because windows thought there were system files on my D: drive which is just Steam and about 20 games, as well as my C:Windows. So my backup was about 600gb. I went into Disk Management and wanted to disable my D: somehow to make the backup. I right-clicked the Steam D: and marked as active and I didn't get the usual warning that this should have an OS installed if you mark as active. I deactivated it through command prompt and restarted the laptop. I never touched the C: in Disk Management but now my laptop doesn't think there is an OS installed..

    Is there a way I can make the proper partition active or boot windows from a disk without reinstalling?
    My Steam D: is made up of 2 harddrives in raid0 with 600gb of games on it and I'm really hoping I don't have to re-install windows.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Does this pc boot up properly ?

    Can you post a shot of disk management for us ?


    You need to run startup repair with your W7 dvd, but I`m guessing you don`t have one ?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    win 7 pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    No It won't boot, It says no operating system found. Try disconnecting any drives that don't contain an operating system.

    I actually do have a Win 7 cd, and I tried startup repair a couple times but nothing changed.
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #4

    You better post a picture of your disk situation. Use the bootable CD of Partition Wizard plus a camera. The .iso you find in the last box of this webpage.

    If you make images with Windows imaging, it will image all partitions that have bits of the OS - e.g. program files. If you want to image C alone, use free Macrium (it's a lot better anyhow). But make sure you do not forget to image the 100MB system partition at least once. Imaging with free Macrium
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8
    win 7 pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Could I Mark partition as active through command prompt?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?-img_20131127_205413.jpg   Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?-img_20131127_205431.jpg   Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?-img_20131127_205500.jpg   Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?-img_20131127_205540.jpg  
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    You can, but you are liable to make an even greater mess without knowing what the situation on the disk really is. That's why I recommended the bootable PW CD.
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Everything that can be done is here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

    If you don't Mark 100mb System Reserved (preferred if you have it) or C Partition Active
    before attempting repairs then it will NOT repair. You also may need to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times.

    If this fails then start at the top of the steps because it may also not repair until disinfected.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8
    win 7 pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks, I set the system reserved partition as active and ran repair, and it booted right up. Now I just need to figure out why windows thinks there are system files on my Steam Harddrive so i can make a system image of just the C:
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #9

    milk79 said:
    Thanks, I set the system reserved partition as active and ran repair, and it booted right up. Now I just need to figure out why windows thinks there are system files on my Steam Harddrive so i can make a system image of just the C:
    Just make "system reserved" ACTIVE was enough. No reason to run startup repair afterwards.

    Post screenshot of disk management please.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8
    win 7 pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Here it is now
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Boot windows 7 with no partition marked as Active?-disk-management-screen.png  
      My Computer


 
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