Simplex - Heads-Up!

[Mike Lynch]

I need help restoring /my Windows-7 Pro Boot Manager.
I inadvertently destroyed it by prematurely disconnecting the C: Hard Drive.
I recalled that I did the same thing about 10 years ago.
The "Fix" was to use the Repair Function of a Windows-7 Install Disk.
I tried to use the "Fix" but now it fails.
Windows claims I must use the same Version Windows-7 Disc as I am attempting to Repair.
I have several Windows-7 Install Disc, to include the one in question, matching the failing one and not Booting.
None of them work!
After finding and reading a response to a Post by F22-Sim Pilot a Bell went off.

I use Simplex on a monthly basis.
My guess is Simplex modifies the Boot Manager "VERSION" on the C: Hard Drive.
Thus, Windows reports I'm using a wrong Version of Windows-7 Pro.

Reinstalling Windows and Simplex would work however, I struggled for days getting Windows Activated.
I do not know any way around this, do you?
I would greatly appreciate your feedback / suggestions.

Mike Lynch

 

[Megahertz07]

Simplix is just a collection of updates. It doesn't modify anything related to the boot sequence.

What you mean by "prematurely disconnecting the C: Hard Drive"? Did you disconnected while the computer was on?

You can try a Boot repair using any version (Home, HP, Pro or ultimate) Win 7 installation drive. Bit version (32 or 64) must be the same as the one installed. Also you have to boot the Win 7 installation drive as Legacy or UEFI to match the installed.
Boot from the Win 7 installation drive and launch Startup Repair
Startup Repair

 

[samuria]

Or try this Fixing Windows boot problems using Macrium rescue media - YouTube

 

[Mike Lynch]

Megahertz07 asked:

"What you mean by "prematurely disconnecting the C: Hard Drive"? Did you disconnected while the computer was on?"

The PC was unplugged from the wall socket.
Normally, I would have pressed the Mouse button until all of the remaining charge was dissipated.
Then I would have disconnected the Drive.
As I was in a hurry, I missed this step.
I have made this error previously, years ago.

 

[Megahertz07]

I don't think that what you did is the reason for the non booting computer.
Why were you disconnecting the drive? Did you suspect it had a problem?
Try the Startup Repair

 

[Mike Lynch]

I have tried the Startup Repair from multiple Installation Disks.
They have all failed!

I am confident that whatever the Startup does, it includes repairing the Boot problem I am having.
Symptomatically, I have seen it before.
I recognize the error I made and need an alternate recovery method other than Startup Repair.

The PC in question is an All-In-One.
I was in the processing of upgrading from a 1TB HDD to a 4TB SSD.
Accessing the Disk Drive Bay is not necessarily easy, thus one of the reasons for the upgrade.

I had just completing installing the 4TB Drive and struggling to Activate Windows-7 Pro, for almost a week.
Once Activated I was rushing to uninstall the 4TB Drive, remove it and replace and Clone it with another Drive.
The thought of putting the All-In-One back together and being able to use it for its intended purpose, caused me to mess up.
With all that being said, I Posted to get an alternative to Startup Repair.
Without Startup Repair working, the PC will not Boot, thus I need a Stand-Alone solution.

I will now begin to try the responses I have received.
Then I'll conclude that Simplex does something that causes Windows not to recognize the Repair, thereby protecting what it's done.
If they all have failed, I'll begin the O/S reinstall process, already dreading trying to do another Windows Activation.

Thanks again for your response.

Mike Lynch

 

[Megahertz07]

I can give you instructions to rebuild the boot manager.
Is the main drive a Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT?
If you're not sure, boot from a Win 7 or win 10 installation drive.
At the Windows Setup screen, press Shift+F10 simultaneously to open a command line prompt and type:

diskpart
list disk (it will list all drives. Does it have an * on the GPT column?)
exit (to exit diskpart)
Windows 10 Help Forums

 

[Mike Lynch]

My guess, a GPT.

Just in case, can I have both?

 

[Megahertz07]

My guess, a GPT.

Just in case, can I have both?

Run the diskpart cmd

 

[Mike Lynch]

Can this be done without being in Windows?

Note! I still claim to be a Novice.

 

[Volume Z]

Please don't be silly. What would the point in startup repair of a running Windows. The appropriate answer to "is it GPT" is YES or NO, and for 4 TB it better be yes. If diskpart is too comprehensive for you, try your luck. Run

bcdboot C:\Windows

All preliminary operations are about identifying the drive letter of Windows, but in all likelihood it's C with the GPT partition style. If against all odds the command fails, continue with D, E and so on.

 

[Mike Lynch]

Comical - but you nailed it!

adjective

1. of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive:[COLOR=var(--lightgray)]a comprehensive study of world affairs.
2. comprehending or thoroughly understanding with one's mind; having an extensive mental range or grasp, as of a particular subject or many subjects.
3. Insurance. covering or providing broad protection against.

The first reply from you and it's the "final nail".


I verified that only the new 4TB Drive was / is connect to the motherboard.
I plugged in the Power Cord.
I powered up the PC.

The whatever, perhaps the BIOS reported: 'Attempting to Boot from the Drive."
Without me touching the Mouse or Keyboard, after waiting ten minutes without the Screen changing at all,
I concluded that you knew even less than I, a Novice.

Ten more minutes: No change, still reporting the original message, "Attempting to Boot from the Drive."

After your Comprehensive study of world affairs, i.e: "Please don't be silly"
Can you give me your Second best guess?

 

[Megahertz07]

Can this be done without being in Windows?

Note! I still claim to be a Novice.

In my post #7 I said to boot a Win 7 or Win 10 installation drive and from a CMD window run Diskpart.
Please read it

 

[Mike Lynch]

The All-In-One has a single Sata Connector for the Drive and the Diskette Drive.

1. C: 4TB SSD
2. D: empty Diskette Drive.

How do I cause a CMD button to be displayed from the D: Diskette Drive with an Installation Disc inserted in it?

I'll give it a try.

Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you!
I did as you said.
It does not have an * under GPT.
Now what is next?

 

[Megahertz07]

Diskette Drive or CD/DVD ODD?
Don't you have a USB port? Boot from a USB drive with Win 7 installation on it and launch a CMD window.

 

[Mike Lynch]

I am at a CMD window after booting from an Install Disk.
Where do I go from here?

 

[SIW2]

type

diskpart
(then press enter and wait for the prompt)
lis dis
(then press enter)
(select the disk in question, e.g. if it is disk 0)
sel dis 0
(then press enter}
lis par
(then press enter)

 

[Mike Lynch]

Thank you!

I'll give it a try in the morning, I'm very tired right now.

Mike Lynch

 

[file3456]

As was already mentioned, make sure the 4TB drive is GPT formatted. Anything over 2TB needs to be GPT formatted or you'll have issues. This may be your issue. I don't know, I'm not there.

 

[Mike Lynch]

I've spent all the time I can on trying to get things working.
I despaired and have given up.
I want to thank EVERYONE who has responded to my Post for help.

I have begun with a Clean Install!
In doing so, I have learned several things I had misunderstood.
Once I have finished the Clean Install, I'll try and "correctly" list what I think I've Learned.

I do appreciate your time and advice.
Best regards,

Mike Lynch (Novice)