Solved Cannot boot Win7 Pro 64bit after drive removal

[martianmaggot]

Hi all! I am unable to get my Win7 Pro 64bit system to boot into Windows. Problems started when I attempted to run a CHKDSK /R on a failing drive from another machine. To do that I had replaced the SATA and power connection from my secondary HDD (a 1 TB) to a 1.5 TB drive from another machine I needed to scan for bad sectors. When I rebooted my desktop to run the scan I saw these strange lines at the top of my screen that didn't indicate anything in particular.

Now, no matter what I have tried, I cannot get Windows to boot. (There have been a couple times I DID boot into Windows after I had disconnected a HDD). I can get into the BIOS and see all the settings there, I can launch the Windows install/repair disc, but any reboots bring me to the lines on the screen I mentioned. HELP!

 

[marsmimar]

Hello martianmaggot and welcome to Seven Forums.

It's possible that when you swapped out drives something might have changed concerning drive letters, logical vs. primary drives, etc. It would help if you posted a maximized screenshot of your disk managment.

How To Access Disk Management in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

It would also help if you listed you system specs. At the top of any forum page click on "User CP" and in the left column that opens up click on "Edit System Spec".

You could also go through these troubleshooting guides prepared by one of the Forum experts.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

 

[martianmaggot]

Thanks, but I was able to correct the problem by restoring my C: drive using my Windows Home Server.

 

[marsmimar]

Great news! Glad you got it fixed. Thanks for posting back.

 

[gregrocker]

Most likely the wrong HD was set first to boot in BIOS, or Win7 HD had its Active flag removed so it couldn't boot.