EasyBCD 2.1.2 "broke" Bootloader and can't acess Win 7 (black screen)

EasyBCD 2.1.2 "broke" Bootloader and can't acess Win 7 (black screen)

Hi guys,
I've a ASUS N56VZ with Intel Core i7 - 3610QM, with Win 7 Home Premium x64 pre-installed. This computer come with EFI instead of the traditional BIOS.
When I bought it, I had 3 visible partitions. C (OS) - with windows and programs; D (Data) - in blank, I store some movies and other unimportant stuff; E (Recovery) - software from ASUS to recovery computer

So, as I'm at a Master's Degree in Computer Science, I needed to install Ubuntu. I made a partition from Win 7, reserving around 15 GB for Ubuntu 12.04.1.

It went fine, and the install was sucessful. I rebooted and I could get into Ubuntu. When I tried to enter Windows 7, I got this message:
"error: Invalid EFI file path.
Press any key to continue..."

So I get in Ubuntu again, and use repair-tool, which insert new entries on GRUB. Then, I got a new entry called "Windows UEFI loader". The old entry "Windows 7 (loader)" continued to not work. This new one, got me into Windows. And I should have stooped here.

But I though that this wasn't perfect, and installed EasyBCD 2.1.2 (actual version) on Windows. My idea was to replace GRUB by bootloader of Windows, and have the two entries there, for each OS.
The problem is that EasyBCD change my boot, and now I can't get into Windows anymore. I try to add those entries, but they do not have been sucessfull added.
Booting from windows, I have the Windows Boot Manager, with the two entries, but neither of them work. The Ubuntu retrieve a failure
"File: \NST\AutoNeoGrub0.mbr
Status: 0xc0000098"
The Windows 7 entry, get me into a black screen, and don't get into the windows loading bar...
If I boot from Ubuntu, I have the GNU GRUB, which still allow me to get into Ubuntu. The problem is that the entry "Windows UEFI loader" that used to work, now get me into the Windows Boot Manager, that I've just described.

So, I even try to use the Windows 7 DVD, to select "repair the computer" and then repair the boot, but I got always this message:
"his version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows."

I tried the Wondershare LiveBoot 2012 software but that didn't solved too.

I've logged in Ubuntu and created this log with boot-repair, which I think can be of some help: Ubuntu Pastebin

Now I just want to be able to access Windows 7. I would prefer not to format and install Win 7 again, because I've a lot of programs installed and repeat that it's very time consuming, but if that's the only solution, that be. But I honestly think that I've used "every card" I knew to try to solve this..


ASUS N56VZ-S4036V
Specs:
Intel i7 3610QM
6GB (2GB+4GB) DDR3 1600
750GB 7200rpm SATA
Drive DVDRW Supermulti
15.6" FHD LED non glare
NVidia GeForce 650M 2G
Windows7 Premium 64 bits

It requires special installation steps to install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums. You'd need to ask in an Ubuntu forum how to install it in EFI mode.

You can remove EFI Boot disk from BIOS Boot order and enable Legacy BIOS to install normally, however.

For now I'd delete Ubuntu's partition, Mark Partition Active Win7 or it's 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to start Win7 again.

Thanks for your reply.

How can I remove EFI Boot disk from BIOS Boot order and enable Legacy BIOS?

Regarding your next step, as I can't boot into Windows, nor repair the computer through the Windows 7 installation disc, I can't mark Windows 7 partition as active...

So, can you explain step-by-step how to do those things?

Enter BIOS setup using the key given on first boot screen. Find the BIOS BOot order and remove EFI BOot disk, look for LEgacy BIOS setting to enable.

Fill in your System Specs in bottom left corner of post if you want more specfic help.

What happens when you boot into Startup Repair from DVD or Repair CD?

I get into BIOS with F2. Then I don't have a "LEgacy BIOS setting", but I presume it is "Lauch PXE OpROM" - "Controls the execution of UEFI and Legacy PXE OpROM". It is by default disabled.

I dont' have a EFI BOot disk on boot order.
I just have:
"Windows Boot Manager PO:ST9750430AS)
ubuntu (PO:ST9750430AS)
ubuntu (PO:ST9750430AS)
P2: Slimtype DVD A DS8ASH"

When I boot up Windows 7 DVD or Repair CD I have the Windows logo and the loading bar, then appears the menu and I select "repair the computer" and then I got always this message:"This version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows."

Edit: I forget to comment about Partition Wizard Bootable CD. I tried this, since it's the only way i could use to mark partition as Active. What happens is that the System (EFI System Partition) is marked as Active. Should be this to be active, or the C: partition (OS), where Windows 7 is installed?
If it's this second one, I can't turn it to active since that option is not available. The text is in grey instead of black, and it isn't clickable.

What I would do is go to the Asus Support Downloads webpage for your model to read the Manual, find out how to enable Legacy BIOS. It sounds like the Legacy setting you found. If you enable that and the Win7 HD, wipe it to clear the GPT formatting, then you may be able to install and repair normally.

Thanks, I'll search for that legacy stuff on the manual.
But can you explain me what do you mean by enable the Windows 7 HD, and how to wipe it to clear the GPT formatting?

I suggested you enable the Legacy setting you found, set DVD to boot first, then target HD (unplug any others) then wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command so that installer can reformat it MBR instead of GPT disk used by EFI install.

So we're talking about formatting everything to do a clean install...
No way we can overcome this without that extreme solution?

For me to use Diskpart Clean Command, I would need to be able to enter Windows, which I don't.. And you are saying to reformat my HD as MBR instead of GTP, right?

Diskpart Clean command wipes the entire HD to clear the boot sector and possible install problems. It is run from the Installer or Repair CD Command Line: DISKPART At PC Startup

If the BIOS is set to use Legacy BIOS then the WIn7 installer should format the the HD MBR during install. But it needs to be wiped first to reset it from GPT format.

If you want to try to repair Win7 run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

You should read your Manual to understand how EFI works with your BIOS better. It is different with every BIOS and very new cutting-edge technology just coming out widely. You may have messed it up beyond repair if you added GRUB bootloader and should inquire about EFI requirements in a Linux forum.

More resources:
http://www.burnedin.com/article/uefi-explained-bios-vs-efi
Installing Windows to an EFI-Based Computer
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

Hi, to start of I must say "I know that feel bro". Basically I have the exact same computer and I too tried to install Ubuntu (university course related) resulting in damaged EFI. I spent countless hours on the web looking for solutions only to arrive here, the exact same problem. However since september there were no new posts whatsever. Did you manage to fix it, how? The thing is that I see myself tampering with it more and more only to make it worse... So im not sure if I should perform the HD clean, partially because I dont want to lose my files, but moreover because I want to keep the separate recovery partition.

Please update me on your progress, would be of immense help.

Have you confirmed the Win7 or it's 100mb System Reservd boot partition is marked Active, then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times.

If so try the other boot repair options in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

You wouldn't want to clean the HD if you want to run Factory REcovery from its partition on the HD and it still will boot, but I'd run the Clean command if you boot Restore Disks or the Win7 installer to Clean Reinstall.

Thank you for the fast reply! The problem is that I cant make the recovery partition active, it says that since it is not in MBR format it is not possible to do so. Thus the only choice I have left is to do is to clean format the whole HD and install a fresh copy of Windows? Will this change my HD file system to MBR, is this bad because the computer is originally based on GPT. By the way I did enable the legacy stuff, nothing changed though.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, Boot into BIOS setup to see if there is an EFI Boot Disk in BIOS Boot order. If so remove it, set DVD drive first to boot. If EFI BIOS also set to Legacy BIOS. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO here.
How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DIS 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

Thank you very much Worked flawlessly!

Installed windows and its all good, however after doing a check using disk part (run from the cmd) I only found listed the 2 partitions I set: the windows partition and the data, i.e. there isnt an existing partition containing the gpt boot loader or whatever its called. My question arises from the fact that I am now using an MBR partitioning whereas the computer was designed to use GPT. Would this pose any future problems with hardware/ software, would it run as fast/ smooth as before?

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, click New, draw a box around full drive map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

Tell us what is on each partition, and explain what concerns you and why.

You said EFI was damaged so were given the workaround to install in Legacy BIOS mode. This confers no disadvantage and saves much frustration with install and repairs. If you want to learn more about the EFI here are some resources:

The 30-year-long Reign of BIOS is Over: Why UEFI W... - Input Output
Installing Windows to an EFI-Based Computer
Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

Hi again, attached you will find the requested snapshot of the available HD's. In Disk C: I have the operating system, Disk G: is the partition I use for my files.
I have started to notice unusual behavior i.e. my computer stopped responding although I was not running any heavy duty tasks, on separate occasions chrome stopped responding and I can feel a general lag. The later described behavior was not present before, at all. I'm assuming thus far that it is preferable to run the stock EFI partition table rather than the MBR. Not a specialist or anything but I'd rather have it the way it was. Thank you very much for the help so far, I shouldnt take up your time. I used your resources for background reading and did some further research on my own. Im going to try to deal with this myself. Again thank you for your time.

As long as you've installing in Legacy Mode to an MBR disk, the BIOS will not affect your install performance. I just told you this so I don't know why you assume your problem is with EFI.

More likely it's a problem with the install and setup. How closely did you follow the steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, particularly the way drivers are handled?

I would work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

yes, I have also observed that EasyBCD's user interface is not very user friendly. It deletes our entry at the press of a key or a click, and doesn't even ask us to confirm, doesn't even tell us the consequences of that deletion. And it doesn't have method to UNDO any action that we later realize was wrong.

I had also ended up erasing my multiboot setup by press of a key. luckily, I explored easybcd further and could come to know what horror I have done, and I immediately manually entered that setup again, so I could boot, otherwise both my w7 setup would have become unbootable. Thanks God for big mercies.

I am not very careful and anxious while using easybcd. Sad that no other such good program exists.

Thanks.