Can't boot after removing one disk.

Hi,

I have windows 7 installed on two discs. I want to remove one of the disks, format it, and install it in another computer. The problem is that when I remove the disk, windows will not boot. I get the "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSTALL SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER" message. Usually I can choose between the two installations and pick the one on the disk that I want to keep, but when I remove one, I only get the error message.

So I tried to do a repair with the windows installation disk, but I cannot select any windows installation drive. I pressed 'next' anyway and then repaired. But I still get the same message the next time I start the computer. When I insert the old hard drive again, the computer starts up normally.

I have also tried to use bootrec without any luck. I tried:

Bootrec.exe /FixBoot - I get "Element not found".
/RebuildBcd - The installer locates my Windows installation folder, but when I press "y" to fix it, i get "element not found" again.
/FixMbr, however, finishes with "Completed successfully". But I am still unable to boot windows.

So then I tried to do it manually in the command prompt by typing in:

bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup

but then I get another error saying "The store export operation has failed.The requested system device cannot be found".

Bootrec kinda messed up my boot entirely so I ended up not being able to boot windows at all

Do you guys have any idea of where I go from here? :)

Thank you,
Joachim

1) Make Hd is showing in BIOS, & set to first HD boot
2) Make sure the HD is plug in to the first Sata port on MOBO.


Press the F8 key repeatedly at boot up or use the Startup disk.

Startup Repair
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times
Startup Repair Infinite Loop Recovery

If needed mark the HD active:
Partition - Mark as Active

You must mark the Win7 partition Active first before Startup Repair will write the System Boot files to it, when run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots.

Partition - Mark as Active

If you have any further problems plug back in the other HD, boot into Win7 and post up a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map with listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start menu. Screen Shots

Boot up using the Startup disk CD or Windows 7 DVD. (not the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk) If you have a Netbook, needs to be on USB Pendrive.

Do a Strartup Repair:
Startup Repair
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

Your Windows installation must show at this screen.



If not showing check out the list below.

1) Run Startup Repair once,(drive may marked inactive) this will mark the ACTIVE.

2) Your HD is plugged in to the first Sata port on the MOBO, & first HD boot in BIOS.

3) Load the Sata Controller Drivers:
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows Recovery Options

4) Use the Rebuild BCD in this tutorial:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

5) Mark the Windows HD ACTIVE:
Partition - Mark as Active

Still not showing.
6) Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

If you have not made your Startup Repair
System Repair Disc - Create
Do you have a mate with Windows 7 & CD/DVD RW Drive, how could burn one off.

If you have a Netbook, you can make a Startup Repair or install disk using Method two of this tutorial:
USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create
on your mate's PC.

Startup Repair Infinite Loop Recovery

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply to my post!
I will try this tomorrow morning. Hoping for the best :)

It works like a charm :)
I found the disk in diskmgmt and activated it. Then I could also find it in windows repair at startup and successfully repaired it.

Thanks again for your help!
//Jocke

Well done.

You are welcome.