Solved W7 Pro Boot partition changed by linux

[rondi]

I was using a USB stick with Linux in my Lenova ThinkPad and it changed my boot partition. My Bios is good, I still get the menu with choices boot from when my Linux stick is in, and it shows my W7. A regular boot shows the Thinkpad logo, and the a screen pops up with Windows Boot Manager saying "A recent Hardware or software change might have installed a file----" followed by the standard procedure to insert the disk--- BUT I have no cd/dvd drive. Further down it says if can start windows without his file by hitting Enter. The file in question is Windows\system32\winload.exe. Status 0x0000428, Windows cannot verify the digital signature of this file.
When I press enter to display the boot menu, I get the single selection of Windows 7. When I press enter, it just goes back to the original screen.

I do not have a Windows DVD for THIS computer, but I do have one for my desktop which has a DVD read/writer installed. I can remove the Laptop SSD and install it in place of C: drive in my desktop to try and restore/rebuild the boot partition.
I would like some procedure, if there is one since the Product code on the dvd is different than the Code in the laptop. I do have the product codes for both computers.
Any advice is appreciated,
Ron

 

[michael diemer]

You can restore the boot sector with the free edition of Macrium, which you can download here:

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - MajorGeeks

It's good to have this utility anyway, as you can use it to make reliable system images of Windows. You can burn it to a CD or USB drive and then boot from that. You then choose the drive/windows version you need to restore and run the utility. Should work.

 

[SIW2]

I do not have a Windows DVD for THIS computer, but I do have one for my desktop which has a DVD read/writer installed. I can remove the Laptop SSD and install it in place of C: drive in my desktop to try and restore/rebuild the boot partition.

You could try that. Boot from the dvd. Go to system recovery options ( "repair your computer" ) and try startup repair or system restore

:ar: System Recovery Options

 

[rondi]

Thanks guys--I just now realized--I have a 2017 backup on our NAS, which contains a System_DRV Partition which contains Boot folder, and bootmgr, eumonbmp.sys, 2 .CBM, and sdrive files. I copied those folder and files and pasted them in my desktop.;
Do you think I can just copy everything in this partition and paste it in the failed partition? I could even use My Linux USB stick to do that--I think. It certainly would be easier

 

[SIW2]

What is the exact model of the lenovo thinkpad ? Your specs are very sparse

 

[rondi]

since it is inoperable-- Lenovo X220 and the the product code:
Type & Product Code = 4291-ON8

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd015807-detailed-specifications-thinkpad-x220-tablet#exp

If it matters, I have replaced the 128gb HDD with a 240gb Intel SSD and according to the box I still have the HDD.

 

[torchwood]

whats the BIOS boot order
usb
hdd
ssd

??? if its the above exclude the hdd

 

[rondi]

How can I change it if it's not bootable?

 

[torchwood]

there should be an option within the Bios boot settings that allows you to move them up/down/exclude using this via up/down arrows or x to exclude...generally shown on the right hand side once you highlight the appropriate boot media

 

[rondi]

SOLVED --I removed the X220 SDD and installed it in an HP laptop with a CD/DVD drive. I booted up the same way. I installed a Windows 7 X220 recovery dvd I had stashed away in the HP: drive, booted and it immediately showed an error, said it was fixed and the I tried to boot--but got the same error. I started the repair dvd up again and chose the repair menu shown above, and clicked the top repair startup. It found an error, said it was fixed. I shut it down, restarted it and YES it was fixed. I wish it had said what was fixed--but I'm back up and running.
Thanks for the help

 

[michael diemer]

Great news. I have also had it happen that I needed to run the repair disc several times. so it's not unusual, that seems to be the way it works. People often give up after one try, however.

 

[SIW2]

SOLVED --I removed the X220 SDD and installed it in an HP laptop with a CD/DVD drive. I booted up the same way. I installed a Windows 7 X220 recovery dvd I had stashed away in the HP: drive, booted and it immediately showed an error, said it was fixed and the I tried to boot--but got the same error. I started the repair dvd up again and chose the repair menu shown above, and clicked the top repair startup. It found an error, said it was fixed. I shut it down, restarted it and YES it was fixed. I wish it had said what was fixed--but I'm back up and running.
Thanks for the help

It sometimes takes 2 or 3 goes