Windows does not boot anymore - winload.exe could not be loaded

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 64 bits
       #1

    Windows does not boot anymore - winload.exe could not be loaded


    Hi,

    I have an ASUS computer bought in January running Windows 7 and a Linux Ubuntu (using grub).

    When I start Windows (since today), the screen just remains black, and the only thing I can do is switching it off (the computer doesn't wait for the 5 seconds of the hard switch off, it immediately switches off when I press the button).
    Grub also presents a partition called Vista, but which doesn't work much more (it still displays the windows logo, but in the end reboots).

    I have nothing like "restore last working configuration", or "safe mode", neither from the BIOS nor from another menu. Anyway, I doubt it would work, since I downloaded and burnt what I think is "Win RE", and when booting from the CD, I get the following message (after a long delay):


    Code:
    Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
    
    [...] (basically to insert a Windows CD and click repair)
    
    If you do not have this CD, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
    
    File: \Windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
    
    Status: 0xC0000001
    
    Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.
    A few more things:
    - I do not have a Windows 7 CD since the laptop was bought with Windows directly installed
    - I mounted the Windows partition on Linux and it looks ok; I could launch "ls -R" with success and the file winload.exe exists and is recognized as a windows executable

    Is my only solution to buy a windows CD to repair that?

    Thanks in advance,

    SA
      My Computer


  2. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #2

    Run Startup Repair . If still not worked, run it at least 3 times with restarts after each single run .
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #3

    Don't buy a windows dvd! Use a window 7 repair dvd. If your win7 system is 64bits use 64bits repair dvd otherwise 32 bits repair dvd. You can make one from within win7. But don't use it either because "startup repair" will update yout MBR so deletes grub!!

    you don't have such things as "safe mode" and "restore last known good working configuration" because you don't use windows bootmgr!

    Now the problem. you say " File: \Windows\system32\boot\winload.exe Status: 0xC0000001"
    are you VERY SURE that file exists???!! It should be \windows\system32\winload.exe
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    Don't start "startup repair"!!!! It removes grub.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks, but how can I create a system repair disc ?
    From the tutorial you linked, I need to have a valid installation and I have only one computer with windows 7 (the broken one).
    Did I miss something?
      My Computer


  6. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #6

    If you need , you can download the windows 7 repair disk from the link provided in the thread Win7 Repair Disk Download .

    After fixing MBR, you can setup the dual boot using EasyBCD .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Don't buy a windows dvd! Use a window 7 repair dvd. If your Windows 7 system is 64bits use 64bits repair dvd otherwise 32 bits repair dvd. You can make one from within Windows 7. But don't use it either because "startup repair" will update yout MBR so deletes grub!!
    Good to know

    you don't have such things as "safe mode" and "restore last known good working configuration" because you don't use windows bootmgr!
    I'm not sure because on my previous laptop with seven, I still had these things.

    Now the problem. you say " File: \Windows\system32\boot\winload.exe Status: 0xC0000001"
    are you VERY SURE that file exists???!! It should be \windows\system32\winload.exe
    I'm sure indeed both in the message and in "ls", but in fact in Linux there are some capitals (e.g.: Boot)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,796
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bits 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #8

    Some capitals don't matter. win7 is case insensitive for filenames.
    But in normal WIN7 winload.exe is in \windows\system32 . Is it there as well? Maybe grub did copy the file to that location. What else is in \windows\system32\boot?

    What do you want:
    A-grub as bootloader with win7 as option in it
    B-grub as bootloader with a "forward bootloader" to bootmgr (win7 bootloader)
    C-win7 bootmgr with linuxloader in it
    ===================
    How many harddisks are in system? which partitions on each disk (primary and extended). which one is active partition?
      My Computer


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

    post /boot/grub/menu.lst as well
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 21
    Windows 7 64 bits
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Okay...
    I downloaded the windows repair disc from that link, burnt it, and booted from it, but I got the same error message, i.e. the repair program could not even be launched; I first see a black screen with written "Loading Windows Files" on it (plus a bar), and then I get the error screen described previously.
    Oh and if I press enter, I get to another screen in which basically I can't do anything (except running a memory test but it fails with the same error message).

    Otherwise:

    Some capitals don't matter. Windows 7 is case insensitive for filenames.
    But in normal Windows 7 winload.exe is in \windows\system32 . Is it there as well? Maybe grub did copy the file to that location. What else is in \windows\system32\boot?
    In fact, both are present and the files are identical

    What do you want:
    A-grub as bootloader with Windows 7 as option in it
    B-grub as bootloader with a "forward bootloader" to bootmgr (Windows 7 bootloader)
    C-Windows 7 bootmgr with linuxloader in it
    I don't really mind, I just want to be able to boot in both systems
    Until now, it was option A I think.


    ===================
    How many harddisks are in system? which partitions on each disk (primary and extended). which one is active partition?
    Yikes, I don't remember in details, but basically there are:
    - 1 partition for windows, containing the boot
    - 1 extended divided in:
    - 1 for linux (ext4)
    - 1 for linux swap
    - 1 for Data (NTFS), common to linux and windows
    Last edited by silverangel; 29 Nov 2011 at 09:47. Reason: typo
      My Computer


 
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