Can I fix the MBR on a multiple partitioned drive

[Sammy888]

So I installed Windows 7 RC from the file directory from XP onto my other drive previously. I ran into problems the other day with XP and Windows 7 no longer shows up in the boot menu to select.

What are my options here? I am presently downloading the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK).

BTW, I can't find the original file for Windows 7 RC. Does anyone remember the name of it?

Thanks

 

[sup3rsprt]

Yes. A free program called EasyBCD has the necessary tools to do it from within Windows XP.

C:\Program Files\NeoSmart Technologies\EasyBCD\bin>bootsect

bootsect {/help|/nt60|/nt52} {SYS|ALL|<DriveLetter>:} [/force]

Boot sector restoration tool

Bootsect.exe updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions in order to
switch between BOOTMGR and NTLDR. You can use this tool to restore the boot
sector on your computer.

Run "bootsect /help" for detailed usage instructions.

 

[SirTim]

And you all thought I wouldn't post back ever.....
I just got my laptop back today....
I curse Staples.....
They had lost my phone number, and were waiting for me.... (I tried to call several times, but could never get through to the person working on my laptop).
I finally drove out there and settled it all...
Turns out my SSD was screwed..... Thanks everyone for trying to help...
I don't know what exactly was wrong with the SSD, but I got it replaced with a normal hard drive and everything is back up and running.
Thanks everyone.

 

[RootAdmin]

I doubt there was anything wrong with it regardless of what they said.
even if somethign was wrong with it, short of it being 10 yr's old, being dunked in water, or overheating, it shouldn't have messed up.

if they didnt give you your old ssd back along with your new hdd, goto the store and demand it back and if they refuse tell them manager your calling the cops for theft

 

[chuckr]

And you all thought I wouldn't post back ever.....
I just got my laptop back today....
I curse Staples.....
They had lost my phone number, and were waiting for me.... (I tried to call several times, but could never get through to the person working on my laptop).
I finally drove out there and settled it all...
Turns out my SSD was screwed..... Thanks everyone for trying to help...
I don't know what exactly was wrong with the SSD, but I got it replaced with a normal hard drive and everything is back up and running.
Thanks everyone.

Hey, SirTim,
Good to see ya back and the lappie is fixed.

Was expecting you to post somewhere after:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install-7.html#post205063
since it was a heck of an ordeal... (Wow, 4 weeks ago)

Thanks for posting back, like you said you would...

Maybe the Mods/Admins can transfer these postings (last 3) 'over to there', so
others could 'understand' the problem and see this 'final solution' ???

 

[Sammy888]

thanks. I got the Windows 7 MBR fixed and I can now boot into Windows 7. However, I have another problem but it's to do with WIndows XP not recoginzing the Windows XP Installation so I cant repair it. I sure hope Windows 7 full release can do a better job than XP in this regard.

 

[sup3rsprt]

You're welcome.

The boot manager in 7 is extremely configurable. With Windows XP all we had was boot.ini

 

[chuckr]

BTW, I can't find the original file for Windows 7 RC. Does anyone remember the name of it?
Thanks

I'm pretty sure its these guys:

7100.0.090421-1700_x64fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culxfrer_en_dvd.iso

7100.0.090421-1700_x86fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culfrer_en_dvd.iso

it's to do with WIndows XP not recoginzing the Windows XP Installation so I cant repair it.

Anything more definitive, as to exactly what's going on here ?
Can you boot XP from the bootmgr menu ? (for starters...)
What do you mean by "not recognizing" ?

 

[Sammy888]

Sorry for the late reply.
What I meant by not recognizing is that when I select which OS I want to boot (I have Win 7 and Earlier version of Windows (two XP partitions).

If I boot with the Windows XP CD I go through the normal process and then the blue screen shows up with the valid partitions. From that point, I USUALLY am able to choose a partition to work with or REPAIR, but not this time. I was able to only see it, actually XP was BEFORE I selected repair the windows installtion. Everything seemed to go fine during the repair process until XP re-booted . After XP rebooted, it hung or froze about 80% through. I was able to see the Windows logo (with a black background) until 80% through.

I then restarted my PC. I tried to repeat the process with the XP CD but this time, XP did not see the valid XP installation so I could not select nor repair it.

The only good thing is that the directory structure is in tact and I could retrieve the files one by one or directory by directory but not only is this time consuming but I have some files that cannot be moved by copying, my iTunes iPhone Recover/Repair file is just one example.


Any more questions, please ask. I'm willing to try almost anything cuz the end result is to reformat that partition which I dont want to do.

Thanks.

 

[chuckr]

What I meant by not recognizing is that when I select which OS I want to boot (I have Win 7 and Earlier version of Windows (two XP partitions).

You should open a new thread with this particular problem, especially the CD part...

In the meantime, did you follow the steps indicated in the "Restore MBR" tutorial ?

How to Restore the Windows 7 MBR (Master Boot Record)