Can't boot Windows 7 after cloning

pianista · 12 Jul 2016

I cloned to an SSD the windows partition and I'm able to see its content via Ubuntu, or using the Windows Recovery Disk.

The problem is when I boot using Windows I have the following error:

Windows failed to start. A Recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your langugae settings, and then click next
3. Click "repair your computer."

If I use the recovery CD, or a Windows 7 CD Installation, It don't recognize my partition as a windows installation. If I use the prompt from the CD, I'm able to see the harddrive letter using diskpart, and also I can navigate through my folders (Program Files..., Program Files (x86)...) but I don't know why is not detecting as a valid W7 installation.

What can I do before lose all the data in this partition making a reinstall?

Thank you

pianista · 12 Jul 2016

I've followed the attempt two from https://neosmart.net/wiki/recovering...ws-bootloader/

Executing all the commands in the C: (volume that has Windows 7 with this results):

Also I notice that my MBR from my other harddrive was reinstalled (not the one with the Windows 7 partition) having another time this on boot time:

May be should I try method 3???

Thank you

Mellon Head · 12 Jul 2016

What did you use to clone the disk with?

pianista · 13 Jul 2016

I did it with clonezilla. I performed with partititon to partition option.

I cloned the W7 partition and the recovery partition. But putting as active the recovery partition has no effect.

Yesterday I tried to perform that: https://neosmart.net/wiki/recovering...lear_Holocaust

Unfortunately bcdedit.exe /import c:\boot\bcd.temp didn't well OK.

Thank you!

pianista · 18 Jul 2016

No ideas?

MeOnMine · 18 Jul 2016

Hi, when Cloning you need encapsulate the whole drive I.E. the MBR and the O.S. data together.
Perhaps you only selected the O.S. data without the MBR I.E. not the whole drive.

TechnoMage2016 · 18 Jul 2016

With any GOOD cloning program, there should be just one easy to answer question...
"where to put the clone". Obviously, it would have to be another hard drive of great enough
size to hold all of the files from the original drive. The two drives in this operation, do not have to be identical.

In a true clone, every BIT of information from the source drive is copied. Of course, that must include the boot sector, MBR, and everything else.

Using the DOS based program "Ghost"* I've cloned a standard hard drive to an SSD, and an SSD to a standard hard drive, with never a problem.

So from what I've read here, it would seem that at least some folks are using the wrong program. ??

Just one observation.

Cheers Mates,
TechnoMage

* Symantec no longer sells or supports the DOS Based "GhOST" program, but it's in the wild.