Repair/recover disc won't boot

My laptop currently has a EFI System Reserved partition that I am trying to replace with the "typical" NTFS System Reserved partition (EFI is not supported under Ghost 15). Using recdisc.exe I have created a repair/recovery disc. The disc won't boot. I now have 2 coaster.

I have non-OEM (i.e. "retail") copies of Windows 7 SP1 on both CD and Flash, but both the repair console for both of those say it is not compatible with the version of Windows 7 installed.

NOW WHAT ?

You'd have to back up and Clean Reinstall Windows 7 as EFI uses GPT disk initialization while Legacy BIOS uses MBR disk.

This also requires the BIOS has CSM or Legacy BIOS enabled, possibly Legacy BIOS first to boot. Set the hard drive first to boot in BIOS then trigger the DVD as a non-UEFI device if offered the choice when booting it. Delete all partitions to allow the installer to reset the disk type. If this fails, wipe the boot code using the commands in Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

Report back results along with exact UEFI settings choices if there are still hurdles.

gregrocker said:

You'd have to back up and Clean Reinstall Windows 7 as EFI uses GPT disk initialization while Legacy BIOS uses MBR disk.

This also requires the BIOS has CSM or Legacy BIOS enabled, possibly Legacy BIOS first to boot.

I new it had something to do with EFI, but I checked the BIOS and Legacy BIOS IS Enabled.

The whole point was to NOT have to do a clean install, but I looks like that is what is going to happen. Thanks for the pointer.

May I ask why you don't want an EFI install in order to use the full features of your new BIOS which is not even a BIOS any longer but UEFI firmware? I would first try the EFI install fully.

Is Windows Boot Manager set first to boot now in BIOS setup? This is what boots EFI WIndows 7.

But if you have an EFI System partition then you likely have an EFI install.

Your BIOS must allow Legacy BIOS (CSM) to be enabled yet still have an EFI install booting. What other BIOS settings relate to EFI, UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS?

gregrocker said:

Your BIOS must allow Legacy BIOS (CSM) to be enabled yet still have an EFI install booting. What other BIOS settings relate to EFI, UEFI, CSM, Legacy BIOS?

Correct !

I didn't want to do a complete re-install, but it was inevitable. Yes, the computer did support a legacy mode and I booted the retail distribution and the install went flawless. No UEFI, but I really don't care !