Windows recovery USB error?

[freshmeat20]

Im running in Ubuntu and Made a USB recovery to get my Windows partition back from SFS. I changed the type to NTFS via testdisk. I loaded the recovery software once and tried to do a repair. It restarted and now when I try to boot the USB it brings up the Windows bootloader with a 0xc0000098 error that has to do with boot/BCD. Any ideas how I can get my Windows partition back from this point?

 

[gregrocker]

If the Repair CD finds a WIn7 installation to repair, then you may have to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to write the System boot files to the Win7 partition.

One of the few occasions when Win7 is irreparable in this scenario is when GRUB is on the HD as it can corrupt Win7 beyond repair. You may need to wipe the HD with Diskpart to overwrite GRUB corruption then reinstall.

Then it's best to install Linux distros on a separate HD booted via BIOS to protect Win7 from GRUB corruption.

 

[freshmeat20]

I have grub but Im still able to view all of my C:/ via testdisk. And there is an OS filesystem mounted in ubuntu with some chkdsk files inside a System volume info folder. I was able to boot the USB before but now can't? This doesnt have to do with the BCD on the flash drive?

 

[gregrocker]

If you can't boot the USB flash stick then try another method for writing the Repair CD ISO to it. One which has worked here in the past is Win2Flash: YouTube - How to install Windows 7 from USB (WinToFlash)

Another method is UltraISO trial version: On File tab Open ISO, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write.

Boot under USB or HD's using one-time BIOS boot menu key.

 

[freshmeat20]

I can boot the USB Its the Windows recovery itself that wont start because of the boot/BCD error. And Win2Flash is how I made the USB so im not sure thats it.

Edit:sorry I wasn't specific when I said USB wont boot.

 

[gregrocker]

Have never heard of WinRE not starting due to boot error where the boot medium wasn't involved.

Please post back or Google the exact text of the error message with any identifiers.

 

[freshmeat20]

This is the exact screen I get trying to boot recovery ISO from USB.

http://gabrielecaracciolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/WindowsBootManager.jpg

Should I just replace the BCD in the USB? It booted to recovery the first time and am unable to since then.

 

[gregrocker]

Error references Win7 startup, not WinRE. Unless you see other evidence, stick is not booting.

Try tapping F8 at reboot to see if WinRe is on your Advanced Boot Tools.

Try rewriting the ISO to flash stick.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

 

[freshmeat20]

ok, so I replaced the BCD file with a fresh downloaded one from the ISO. Now the recovery comes up but still cant find disk/partition with the windows install. Is this because its just looking in the USB for the install? When I try to look for drivers theres two drives 40mb each(my dell OEM I think), my flash drive and a D:/ drive that wont do anything when I click it. hm

 

[gregrocker]

I would use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to see if your Win7 partition is intact (explore) and marked Active. If not, rightclick to Modify>Mark Active.

Then from Disk tab, Rebuild MBR.

If this fails, boot into WinRe to run 3 Startup Repairs with reboots.

I should tell you this is typical with GRUB making Win7 irreparable, but there are other things we can try.

Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

 

[freshmeat20]

if im booting from USB, What if the recovery software cant find the Windows installation? Is there a way to 'bring it out' with Gparted or cmd?

 

[freshmeat20]

Ok so I used your 3 try tutorial (Thanks BFK!) the recovery software found the windows partition marked it as active and repaired it. But on startup I dont get a grub menu and still boots right into ubuntu. I looked at Gparted and it says the windows partition is the boot flag?!? ugh whats going on... Im pretty sure the Windows partition is fine I just have to find out how to boot it.

 

[gregrocker]

Try these steps normally used to recover GRUB after Win7 is installed in a Dual Boot. Ubuntu Blog: Howto Recover Grub2 After Windows Installation

See if GRUB will start Win7.

 

[freshmeat20]

Tried the restore grub link way and didnt work. But I also noticed grub isnt even installed in terminal which is weird...Any ideas? And much thanks for the ubuntu related link in Win7 forums!!