Windows 7 BSOD after HDD move.

RolandHazoto · 28 Jan 2010

gregrocker said:

I would still try booting the Win7 DVD Repair console, click through to Recovery Tools list and run Startup Repair repeatedly. Running a repair which is offered during attempt to boot Win7 is not always the same.

If you boot Partition Wizard CD, how much space will it allow you to shrink your current install from the left when you select Resize and use the grey slider bar?

I've run the DVD repair into the ground, it cannot fix it.
Partition Wizard let's me slide it down to about 101GB unallocatd space from the free space available (I leave just a little free space) but every time I apply it it says error code "36 run file system check" but check file system is greyed out... I've even tried setting the partition as inactive, and retrying to no avail (the inactive worked but not the size change)
EDIT: to word that better, I can resize the filled partition down to 362GB, creating 101GB unallocated, but it will not allow me to apply
EDIT2: If anyone would know how to remove the motherboard driver by hand and/or edit the registry entries referring to it please let me know... I got my hands on Hiren's boot CD and I may be able to edit it without booting into the installation

gregrocker · 28 Jan 2010

Will it allow you to Resize the partition from the right side since System files don't need to be moved? I'd take it if it does, as you can siphon files into new Win7 by enlarging new partition in steps until all that is left in old one is old Win7 - then delete that partition.

Smart to deactivate it, too.

RolandHazoto · 28 Jan 2010

That's the side I was trying it from... it would not apply

gregrocker · 28 Jan 2010

Then try it from the left side. If System File Checker won't run, then try Surface Scan.

RolandHazoto · 28 Jan 2010

gregrocker said:

Then try it from the left side. If System File Checker won't run, then try Surface Scan.

Neither method worked, I also tried 3 other partition managers including paragon, all gave me some error or another... So Using Hiren's Disc I booted into a mini version of xp and much to my alarm I cut and pasted my users\rol file from there to c:\rol and it moved no problem without even a write protection error message?! I find this alarming but I won't complain I guess... Now I believe I can reinstall windows 7 without it erasing my files as long as I do not format

gregrocker · 29 Jan 2010

Windows 7 may overwrite that file if you try to install it to C:

Suggest you use your boot disk to write your user file to external or DVD to be safe.

RolandHazoto · 29 Jan 2010

Well my files remained intact, I'll have to use the mini xp to move em back I believe cuz when I go to open the file it warns me about not having permissions but now I have come across another issue:
For some god awful reason it says my product key is invalid, despite this being the discs I received from microsoft via their expertzone program! Tried the regular and upgrade installs, both say the product key is invalid the minute I type it and click next... Any thoughts or am I gonna have to call Microsoft and harass em in the morning?
EDIT: On another note, for anyone else who has this problem, it seems when you reinstall, windows 7 does infact move your documents to windows.old also...

chev65 · 29 Jan 2010

I was wondering what all the fuss was about. All you had to do was install to a new partition and the Windows old file will be there with your old files in there.

As for the invalid key, because you changed hardware the product key became invalid. You need to call Msoft in these cases and explain that to them so they can revalidate your product key.

RolandHazoto · 29 Jan 2010

not a new partition, just a reinstall on the old partition... I simply wasn't sure if it would store my documents. If someone would have said it, this would have been done 2 days ago... C'est la vie.
As for the invalid key, an X looked like a K... (don't do computer repairs at 5am!) That has been resolved and so has every other issue... I'll continue to keep the .old file and the user files from the old install until I am certain I no longer need them...

If anyone else ever has this issue, if possible run Windows upgrade to the point that it restarts the computer before moving the hard drive when possible. When not possible just do a new install without formatting.

Thanks for everything guys! Ciao.

gregrocker · 29 Jan 2010

There is no way anyone could assure OP that his files would be in a windows.old folder after reinstalling on a failed in-place upgrade interrupted by a power failure.