12/9/14 windows update>pc won't boot from ssd

[matix018]

Shut my computer down the night of the update and turned it on the next day and my computer wouldn't boot Windows from my ssd I've been searching for answers but haven't landed on anything yet. When I put the win7 disc in to try to restore from image it fails, and when I run startup repair it says the root cause is that the partition table does not have a valid system partition. When I try the system restore option it says I have to specify which Windows installation to restore but have nowhere to select that. I've heard done talk of getting my hands on a Windows 8disc and repair it with that but don't have the disc (yet...not sure if anyone else thinks this will work?) and also some command prompt suggestions, but I don't know a heck of a lot about that. I also have a hdd with most of my documents that I don't want to lose if possible.

What are my options? Anyone know how I can fix this? Need more info?

Many thanks for any help :huh:

 

[Golden]

1. Does the SSD show in the BIOS/uEFI?
2. What error message do you get when you try to boot from the SSD?

 

[matix018]

It shows up in bios in the areas only where it allows me to select a drive to start Windows from and then it takes me to a black screen with a blinking underscore in the upper left, but does not show up in the boot section to set the sequence of which drives to start from.

 

[Golden]

Use bootable Partition Wizard to boot the computer and look at the disks/partitions present. use a camera to take a phot of those, and upload it here.

 

[matix018]

My passport disk 3 is just an external used for storage

 

[Golden]

When you boot as normal, what message appears? can you take a photo and upload that too please?

 

[whs]

Use partition wizard to set the 100MB system reserved partition active. It is in the partition tab > Modify. Then try to boot again.

 

[matix018]

Image 1 is my boot order set in bios
Image 2 is what I get when I boot normally

 

[matix018]

It just stays there forever

 

[matix018]

Whs - it isn't allowing me to set as active

 

[matix018]

It would allow me for disk 2 and 3, though, if I wanted to...

 

[whs]

Try "Set Windows Boot Partition" which is 3 steps under Modify.

 

[matix018]

Error: failed to find Windows directory

 

[whs]

Question: Has the SSD always been GPT ??

 

[matix018]

I'm sorry, Im not sure. gpt vs mbr is a completely new topic to me I haven't knowingly done anything to change it

 

[whs]

Then I suspect the SSD already came GPT initiated from the factory. That is not very smart of them for such a small disk. Here is why:

Most OSes have GPT-specific boot quirks on BIOS-based computers. The best, such as Linux, install and boot fine on GPT systems, so long as you follow the advice for creating appropriate partitions. Others, such as Windows, are much more challenging to get booting in this way. With all OSes, be aware that there are some buggy BIOSes that have problems booting from GPT disks. These problems can usually be overcome, but you should be aware of the issue before you try to set up a system to boot from a GPT disk in BIOS mode.

Source: Booting from GPT

I have an idea how to fix it, but it will be some work. We'll have to image the 2 partitions and delete them from the disk. Then convert the disk to MBR and put the image back on. Would you be OK with that ?? I would show you the steps.

 

[matix018]

Yes, I would be most grateful!

 

[whs]

OK

Step 1 - download this .iso from my Onedrive (right click on the icon at my OneDrive). Burn that .iso to a CD. This is a live CD of the Macrium imaging program.

Step 2 - Make a folder on your external Passport and call it "Images". Then boot the PC with the Macrium CD and make an image of the 2 partitions on the SSD. Here is a Macrium tutorial I made. If you have questions, ask back.

Step 3 - delete the 2 partitions from the SSD using the bootable partition wizard. Make sure you end up with unallocated space.

Step 4 - Convert the SSD to MBR disk with partition wizard

Step 5 - put the image of the 2 partitions back on the SSD. For that you also use the Macrium CD. Here is a tutorial that mu friend Keith made on how to restore an image. When it asks you to restore the MBR, say yes.

Step 6 - have a look at the restored SSD using partition wizard, take a picture and post it here. In principle the SSD should boot now. If it does not, there is a problem with the bootmgr or the MBR, but that can be fixed.

 

[matix018]

I've burned the iso file but am now getting this message:

(I can open the CD on another computer and macrium is there, and when I insert the partition wizard disc into my pc I can boot just fine)

 

[whs]

Is this an 8.1 UEFI system. If yes, you have to change the BIOS to legacy mode.