win 7 HP boot files missing or corrupt

[Dave52]

I have an Advent Roma 2001 configured, in PC World style, with a "recovery partition" alongside the system partition and, after resolving a hard disk problem, I found that the machine would not start/boot Windows 7. clearly some necessary files are missing or corrupted, but the normal system recovery tools have not solved the problem(s). I'm familiar with the process for resurrecting XP, but not its counterpart for Windows 7...the files and steps for doing this are rather different. it would seem that pretty much everything else is in place on the hard disk, but certain recovery programs report "0" Windows installations when Win 7 is still in place where it was before the disk problem, e.g. it is available to be selected by the main recovery/startup program...this prog can "see" it, but can't access/boot it.

I'd really appreciate it if someone (or some folks) could map out the steps, files, command line statements, etc. so that I can breathe some life into this anaesthetised device sooner rather than later...I may as well work my way through the whole lot rather than using a trial and error method...that might take a long time. however, I'm also happy to be advised on the approach if and where this unnecessary or inadvisable.

thanks in anticipation,

DH

 

[BadBigBen]

Question: when you experienced that HDD problem, did you change settings in the BIOS? e.g. are the SATA ports set to IDE, LEGACY, RAID or AHCI...

do you have a Win7 DVD or can get a hold of one?


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Dave52]

hi, no I didn't change anything...have a repair disk

D

 

[linney]

The hard drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software that is bootable, or that may even run from within Windows, that will thoroughly check the condition of your hard drive. If you hard drive has dies all other recovery options are pointless.



Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...indows-7-installation-disc-or-USB-flash-drive

Startup Repair.

Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Wi...809f-ed90-415f-a83f-89b42108b3551033.mspx#EFF

Startup Repair: frequently asked questions

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

 

[Dave52]

thanks for your responses...'got rather distracted with the problem itself and chasing a copy install disk, so I must apologise for the "pregnant silence".

the solution to the problem proved to be a repair/replacement of the corrupted bcd file that screwed up the Boot Manager. I will be delving more deeply into the "details" of that file later...'had the commands/procedure slightly wrong first time round...once this was corrected, the Boot Manager fired up. the install disk was required to replace the spldr.sys that had also been corrupted, I suspect, when the fault developed with the bcd file.

thanks again,

DH

 

[DrB0b]

I would advise doing as linney stated with the testing though, could have been a failing drive that caused this in the first place. Best to know now and retrieve data than lose everything.

"Silence is golden, duct tape is silver...