windows 7 invalid partition table

topcat123 · 23 Jul 2011 at 10:34

can any one help me with this problem i keep getting this error message - Invalid partition table. i'm using windows 7 on my kids pc, and last night they told me that the computer could not boot up into windows,when i tried to run the windows 7 disk i first of all when into the bios and changed it to boot up from cd rom. but all i keep getting is this error message - CD boot - cannot boot from cd - code 5, invalid partition table. if possible i would like to be able to save all the files that are on there, but if that's not possible i need to know how to boot up to be able to re format hard drive and start over. any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

pgi947 · 23 Jul 2011 at 14:32

Good news, it sounds like it might be just a corrupt MBR, BCD or boot record or something

Bad news, you really need to be able to boot into the windows 7 setup to sort it via recovery mode.

I've only every really used the windows discs to boot to recovery and repair the mbr/boot from command, so unless you can get that win7 disc to boot or someone knows of another method?

If you can get into the recovery console try this: (provided your windows install is recognised it should default to c:\)

bootrec.exe \FIXMBR
"operation completed"
bootrec.exe \FIXBOOT
"operation completed'

Type exit to reboot, and hopefully you should be back booting into windows, if not you might have to take the slightly trickier BCDrebuild route.

deanolfc · 23 Jul 2011 at 15:24

have u got Windows 7 System Recovery Discs u can put it onto a usb stick and try booting up that way , the video will show u how to prep the usb for the system recovery files.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPKu4cf1_Os&feature=related

topcat123 · 23 Jul 2011 at 20:30

thanks for the replies, i tried deanolfc's suggestion i watched the video link, i got the window 7 32bit recovery disk, i used the usb stick but it did not work it came up with the same error. any other suggestions would be apprecaited.

deanolfc · 23 Jul 2011 at 22:19

try this

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/2591-boot-error-code-5-a.html

Joey1988 · 23 Jul 2011 at 22:45

"You need Vista install DVD. Boot Vista Installation, choose Language press next and than press "Repair my computer". On next window u will have few options, choose "command promt". Remove Vista DVD and insert Windows 7 Install DVD. Navigate to DVD (for example d: or e:, depends on your drives setting, than go to folder sources (type "cd sources"), and type "setup". Installation will start shortly. Now just follow instructions"

topcat123 · 25 Jul 2011 at 21:25

thanks to everyone i eventually removed the hard drive, and mounted it to another computer and backed up all the stuff that i needed. used xp pro to boot up and then over-rite with windows 7. just about to remove the xp pro old window, thanks for all the advice