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#31
Looks like there are remnants (of GRUB?) on the two Linux swap partitions, so I would definitely Wipe them with full DOD standard (3X zeroing) from booted Partition Wizard CD. In fact wipe all four empty partitions which will free up their space to recover into C: or do what you wish.
What is DOD standard (3x zeroing)? I downloaded Partition Wizard and installed it into Windows 7 as a program. Do I need to download a different copy for a CD? I guess my answers are in your following sentences.
Boot PW CD, let files load, select 1 for screen res, rightclick each empty partition to select Wipe Partition, then select full DOD standard 3x zeroing (takes awhile.) You can then rightclick C: to Resize the cleaned partition space into C:, or make a new partition.
Then either try tapping F8 at bootup to see if the 100mb Sys Reserved partition placed "Repair My Computer" on your Advanced Boot Tools menu. If not, make and use the Repair CD linked earlier. In repair console, click through to Recovery tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to repair the MBR and start Windows 7 if GRUB corruption has been overcome.
OK. I'll do this. I will have to find where I can get the Partition Wizard for a CD. or can I have the file I downloaded installed to a CD?
Scroll down for bootable CD: Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software ? Partition Wizard Online
This is important to have anyway, even if Repair console shows up tapping F8 at bootup: System Repair Disc - Create
Yes, I live in Venice Beach but am in Ft. Lauderdale now for some time with friend.
I will be back around 3 pm PST.
Be sure to back up your files, and a Win7 backup Image if you want to be able to start over.
I would also try one more time to make Recovery Disks from the Recov partition, and triggering it at bootup to see if it will even run Factory Recovery.
Just for the record here I am able to switch from a ms bootloader or grub in the MBR easily. The grub corruption is probably not in the Linux partitions it is in the MBR. I also have never gotten a ms bootloader restored in the MBR with the 3 repair clicks, with grub in the MBR I have to use this to restore MS. How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows
Thanks for stepping in and helping Greg, a MS pro is what this needs to get things back in order. The only problem I am seeing here is that yes grub is the problem but it is the MBR not the Linux Partitions. These partitions can be deleted easily with a Ubuntu live cd using gparted, you just have to turn off swap with a right click on it to delete them. Also you can make them NTFS partitions with gparted. When I install W7 I use gparted to build the partition 1st.
So Greg you can confirm this but the commands from a recovery disc that fixes the MBR for me are 1st Bootrec.exe then Bootrec.exe /FixMbr this should reload MS to the MBR, and wipe away grub. In the link are other commands that may be needed, we know grub is the problem but not to the extent of anything on the partitions but in the MBR.
I would get a oem install DVD so that in the end you have a way to reinstall in the future if needed, in a manner that is legitimate with the manufacturer and MS. And you will have all the tools on one DVD that will make recovery if needed easy.
Hope this all gets fixed, it will, the manufacturer will provide or MS a DVD for little cost maybe even free to reload W7 if it comes to that. MS wants you to keep using MS and are easily dealt with if shown respect, when contacted.
Also if you do a system restore with the key prompt at boot, grub will not be back it is wiped away. I think a little to much focus on grub here is causing some problems, it is quite easy to manipulate especially grub .97 which Ubuntu 7.10 came with. It is the barrier but not to the extent I think is believed here, this is I think from not understanding how it works.
wee, I am grateful that someone with Linux experience has provided what worked for you. We see a lot of GRUB issues on here because they continually botch Win7 installs, and the only thing that has always worked in the past is to deep clean the HD and reinstall Win7 first, then Linux and GRUB.
You say that GRUB is lodged in the System MBR, which is currently in the 100mb System Reserved boot partition. I wonder if OP could solve the boot issue by also deep cleaning that 100mb partition using PW CD, mark Win7 active and recover the MBR into Win7 partition as is done quite often.
All bootrec and bootsect commands are automated in Win7 startup Repair which is why we say to run it from Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD at least three separate times with reboots as sometimes it takes several passes to fully repair or rewrite the MBR to Win7 after it has been marked active.
wee: Please continue to monitor and help with this OP and other Linux issues as they are constant - 3 today!
Many of us avoid them because we are more Windows 7 focused, so your help will be greatly appreciated by all.