Invalid System Partition Problem

[Cdubbs]

This is why I suggested you look at a picture of your HD using free Partition Wizard bootable CD which gives the most reliable picture of Windows partitioning. If it says it's raw, then you've lost your data. If not, rightclick to Explore to see if you see your files. You can then copy them out using the steps posted in the Copy tutorial, or using free Paragon Rescue CD.

If you are having problems booting the PW CD or the Windows DVD, please post back exactly what is the problem. How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

If you are in PW CD to check this, you might as well see which is the Active partition and try highlighting the WIn7 HD then running Rebuild MBR from the DIsk tab. You have also not exhaused all repair possibilities until you try the 3 separate Startup Repairs with first the 100mb System Reserved partition marked Active (if you have it) then with the WIndows 7 partition itself marked Active. Then you've done all you can.

Okay, so I booted into PW and my data is readable... The weird thing is it says my Windows partition is 100% full, which it is not. Also, the only way I can select rebuild mbr is if I select the whole disk... Is this what should be happening? And which partition should be marked active, the system reserve or the one with my data on it? Thanks for the help

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

OK so now that you know how to boot a disk, have another look at this tutorial at the link below, it shows how to copy / paste the data you need to save to external media, in-case you don't have any other option and you can at-least save the data if you can't get Windows 7 repaired.


How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista

 

[Cdubbs]

OK so now that you know how to boot a disk, have another look at this tutorial at the link below, it shows how to copy / paste the data you need to save to external media, in-case you don't have any other option and you can at-least save the data if you can't get Windows 7 repaired.


How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista

Windows recovery console does not seem to like it when I select my C:\ drive. The window turns gray and everything is unselectable except for the cancel button.

 

[Cdubbs]

It's probably too late now but did you ever try running
sfc /scannow

when you were able to still boot into windows
from an elevated command prompt

Windows just kinda stopped working. No problems before all of this crazy business.

Ps sorry for the double post, I am on an iPad right now because it's the only computing device I have access to at the moment

 

[gregrocker]

As it states clearly in the steps given you must highlight the Win7 disk in PW to get the Rebuild MBR function.

If this fails, then run the 3 startup Repairs from the Win7 DVD/Repair CD with the SYstem Reserved marked active as it should already be (is it?) first.

Then if the 3 separate Startup Repairs fail to start WIn7, Modify>Set Active the Win7 partition itself to try the Repairs 3 times.

If you cannot copy your data out following the steps given in the Copy tutorial, try free Paragon Rescue DIsk to rescue your data. Paragon rescue disk; change drive letter; recover data

 

[Cdubbs]

Paragon does not seem to be able to access my windows drive :/

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

You only get rebuild mbr option if you select the Disk (not a partition ) it is supposed to be like that.

The weird thing is it says my Windows partition is 100% full

Let me have a browse thru the thread for a few mins.

 

[SIW2]

Your best bet now is to use a Linux app.

Something with a file transfer wizard and salvage any data you can.

Parted Magic springs to mind.

If you want a smaller download DRWEb a/v has Midnight Commander file manager - that may do just as well.

Dr.Web CureIt! —

 

[Cdubbs]

Your best bet now is to use a Linux app.

Something with a file transfer wizard and salvage any data you can.

Parted Magic springs to mind.

If you want a smaller download DRWEb a/v has Midnight Commander file manager - that may do just as well.

Dr.Web CureIt! —

Uhhh is there a version in English? also I tried to mount the drive in ubuntu lived and it didn't work... I rebuilt the mbr and now the system boots directly to windows. Is installing ubuntu my best bet or is there a bootable tool I can use?

 

[gregrocker]

If PW CD Rebuilt your MBR and you can now boot into Windows, then you can also delete OpenSUSE with PW if that is still your intention.

If not, you can try adding the Linux distro using EasyBCD 2.02 "Add OS" function's Linux tab. EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

 

[Cdubbs]

If PW CD Rebuilt your MBR and you can now boot into Windows, then you can also delete OpenSUSE with PW if that is still your intention.

If not, you can try adding the Linux distro using EasyBCD 2.02 "Add OS" function's Linux tab. EasyBCD 2.0.2 - NeoSmart Technologies

It boots to the startup screen then gives me the option to choose startup repair or boot into a bluescreen

 

[gregrocker]

The worst cases of Win7 becoming corrupted beyond repair and even unable to rescue files are often seen when GRUB is on the same HD.

In a small number of cases, it will yield to repair or at least to copy out files if the partition with GRUB is wiped. You can try that if another Linux boot disk won't let you at your files.

 

[Cdubbs]

The worst cases of Win7 becoming corrupted beyond repair and even unable to rescue files are often seen when GRUB is on the same HD.

In a small number of cases, it will yield to repair or at least to copy out files if the partition with GRUB is wiped. You can try that if another Linux boot disk won't let you at your files.

So how do I wipe out GRUB? Will deleting my SUSE partition do the trick or no?

 

[gregrocker]

It's a long shot but if you're getting rid of it anyway Wipe the partition using PW CD.

 

[Meetyou]

Help! Please!

guys, im kinda lost here!
So basically, here is the situation. I have 3 identical 500G hdd - 2 in raid 1 (mirror), and one I partioned as 30G to act as C for windows and the rest for junk. However, I got an 60G ssd which I than used for windows, and formatting the 30GB space. For many month things were fine, until one day I got BSOD and finally windows stopped working overall.
At first I thought its a virus, and wanted to reinstall windows, but weird things started happening - firstly ssd was unstable. Bios can see it one time, windows does not see it. and than it dissapears from bios and appears again. changed cables - nothingI deducted that ssd is broken (it had an orange light on) and took it out, and decided to use my spare 30Gb partition to write windows on it. but no matter what, windows just does not see it. While it shows up in Bios, windows will not see neither the 30Gb partition, nor the hdd at all. I ran the diagnostics, and it says that the partition table has invalid system partition. How do I fix that?
The 2 Raid storages so far work fine (I hope), windows sees them, but of course I wont install it on them. I flashed the MOBO, cleared BIOS settings, everything. And still same problem - I cant install windows or even see the hdd on the system. dont know how to proceed. Please help! Its been several days that Im using borrowed laptop. And im pretty sure the solution is simple (it always is). Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Wipe the HD of all code: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

You may have problems trying to install if the RAID is plugged in. Win7 doesn't much like RAID.

 

[Meetyou]

thanks.
The thing is, windows does not see the hdd in diskpart. Bios sees it fine, but not windows. Also, when i tried to install xp on it, in my desparate attempt, it saw only the full hdd, unpartitioned and with 0 free space. I unplugged the 2 raid disks just to be sure I dont wipe out any of my valuable stuff. How should I set up BIOS - ide, raid, ahci? (right now its in ide)
Thanks!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Meetyou, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look at this tutorial to see how to boot the Windows installation DVD and do the secure erase from there Windows should 'see' it this way and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


DISKPART : At PC Startup

 

[Meetyou]

Thanks for the welcome.
I tried these methods, they do not work.
Firstly, When you boot from Windows 7 DVD, and get to the part where it asks where to install the windows, no disk is visible. If I connect any of the 2 Raid disk I use for storage - they will show up, but obviously u cant put windows there.
When I get to command prompt and type in diskpart - lis vol nothing shows up ( not even my 2 raids)
I guess the hdd is really screwed up. Im thinking of 2 options
a) buy another hdd, install windows onto it and than try to figure out what to do next.
b) get some sort of software to restore system partition. Any recommendations for such software?
I will be out for few days, when I get back Ill let you know how things went

 

[gregrocker]

Try AHCI setting in BIOS if it's SATA.

If that fails, boot the HD maker's diagnostic/repair CD to run an extended scan. If it doesn't see or can't repair the HD then replace it. HD Diagnostic