Solved create bootable USB / grubrescue boot partition

[suplarry]

I was running dualboot win 7 and linux. I deleted the linux partition and now my boot is stuck on grubrescue. I've tried to do the grubrescue commands
set boot
set prefix
insmode normal

but insmode normal doesnt' work

my next recommended step i have found is to boot the computer from USB. unfortuantely microsoft will not let me download a copy of windows 7 using my product-key. i called lenovo and they tried to sell me a new copy of windows 7 even though i have the product-key for mine. the lenovo has some built in boot options but i haven't figured out how to use them to recover windows 7.

any options to create a bootable usb or to recover this system?

 

[Snick]

Hi suplarry,

Welcome to Sevenforums!

Your limited system specs say Desktop/PC, however, Lenovo T420 is Thinkpad.

1. Which system are you having issues with?
2. Do you have a restore point or full system image/backup?
3. Are you dual booting Linux and Windows?
4. If so are you using Windows Boot-manager or Grub?
5. What program/application do you wish to run from bootable USB?

Using Windows Boot-Manager is preferred in my opinion.
To use Windows Manager, Grub is installed on the Linux partition.

 

[suplarry]

Hi suplarry,

Welcome to Sevenforums!

Your limited system specs say Desktop/PC, however, Lenovo T420 is Thinkpad.

1. Which system are you having issues with?
2. Do you have a restore point or full system image/backup?
3. Are you dual booting Linux and Windows?
4. If so are you using Windows Boot-manager or Grub?
5. What program/application do you wish to run from bootable USB?

Using Windows Boot-Manager is preferred in my opinion.
To use Windows Manager, Grub is installed on the Linux partition.

Thinkpad laptop Lenovo T420. Not sure where desktop/pc came into play

No system image or backup. I think my windows is fine it's just not booting to the right partition.
I was dual booting windows and linux but I deleted the linux partition. (mentioned in my original post)
I'm stuck on grubrescue so I think I was using grub to dualboot

I have read that if I can get a copy of windows 7 on USB then I can boot from that and recover my windows system. BUT when I go to download a copy of windows 7 using my product key it does not allow me to do so. I think it's because the computer came with windows 7 and they don't provide another copy even if I have a product key. I also am repeating myself here.

edit:updated my system specs to indicate laptop

 

[Snick]

I don't believe a copy of windows 7 on usb will help you.
You have to reinstall a boot-manager/loader.
I would not use Grub as the bootloader/manager, as many windows updates break Grub if you use Grub as the bootloader/manager.

The safest way is to install Grub on the Linux partition, then use Easy BCD to point Windows to the partition that has grub installed. Here is a video
How to Dual Boot Windows and Linux. ( The Nontraditional way )

 

[Snick]

Do you have a system restore point?
How to use Lenovo System Restore.
How to use Lenovo Sysem Restore to restore the system to a system restore point

Two Videos on creating a bootable USB. I've found Rufus to be one of the simplest to use.

How to Create a Bootable Windows USB Flash Drive Using Rufus
Rufus program: How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive Windows 10,8,7, Linux, Acronis

 

[Snick]

Windows 7 Professional x32 & x64
You can make all versions of Windows available, i.e., Starter x32 version only, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, & Ultimate with eicfg_removal_utility.zip

 

[suplarry]

I don't think rufus will work. That would require me to download an iso of windows 7. Microsoft will not let me download windows 7 even though I have the product key. That is basically the solution I was hoping to use that is not possible.

Right now when I load the machine I get grubrescue>
I assume this is because grub is my bootloader, but that Linux has been removed with it's partition.

So the question is how do I get from grubrescue to my windows7 system? Or how do I change the mbr from grubrescue to load windows7 and remove all history of having dual boot (windows and linux)

 

[suplarry]

I used rufus to put ubuntu on my usb. then i did boot-repair from ubuntu live. booted right into my old windows 7. linux for the win

 

[Snick]

 

[Snick]

I don't think rufus will work. That would require me to download an iso of windows 7. Microsoft will not let me download windows 7 even though I have the product key. That is basically the solution I was hoping to use that is not possible.

Did you see my post #6 before this with link?