Windows 7 will not boot but I can access the drive from vista??

Seasaw · 26 Jun 2010 at 16:21

A regular problem it seems is that windows get stuck on post and refuses to boot and this is what has happened for me. A bit of background behind the steps I have already taken to try to remedy the problem. The systems posts perfectly then after all the drives have popped up in post the screen just goes black and it never gets to the windows loading menu.

I have...

1/ Attempted to use all start up fixes from windows disc - Windows was unable to automatically fix errors
2/ Tried to system restore from windows disc - This did not work
3/ Memory test indicated that it was not down to a faulty memory chip
4/ The hard drive is fine and working without errors - I can access this and all my files on the hard drive when I log into my vista partition . :confused:

I have installed vista on a seperate hard drive in the same system - I can see the hard drive in the my computer section. In disc management it's listed as a healthy drive. In the root directy of the windows 7 Drive the bootsect file comes up with this list

A disk read error occurred
BOOTMGR is missing
BOOTMGR is compressed

I have tried to restore this file from the windows 7 Disc to the Hard drive with the windows 7 Partition and I just get access denied continuously. The hard drive is a solid state drive and has been problem free, further more it is a relatively new drive. A disc check says that the boot problem is due to a corrupted patch after an automatic windows update.

Please help - I hate posting on these forums but iv'e exhuasted all my knowledge and options for the mean time and I've got no more ideas. Anyone that helps solve this problem will have a six-pack in it for them if they live anywhere near london.

Regards Seasaw

SiriusB · 26 Jun 2010 at 17:23

Have you tried a repair install using the Windows 7 DVD? It replaces all the system files while keeping your personal data intact [I would backup anyway just in case]. The only thing you will lose are some customizations - such as your theme settings and so on.

Seasaw · 26 Jun 2010 at 19:32

I've already tried that and it didn't work. It said start up repair could not repair windows automatically.

Yjani · 27 Jun 2010 at 09:33

Ok just a long shot and you may of already tried this... Is the win 7 drive actually booting first? As in the bios you can select in which order the motherboard accesses your drives?

Yjani · 27 Jun 2010 at 09:38

if all is fine there:

Boot to your install disc, click 'Repair my Computer'
At the prompt to select your OS installation, click the button that says 'Load Drivers'. This should bring up a explorer-style drive browser.

Then just right-click on the drive you tried to compress, and deselect 'Compress this Drive', which should still be ticked on. Hit apply, and apply to subfolders/files.

Try that mate

Seasaw · 27 Jun 2010 at 11:04

Yjani said:
if all is fine there:

Boot to your install disc, click 'Repair my Computer'
At the prompt to select your OS installation, click the button that says 'Load Drivers'. This should bring up a explorer-style drive browser.

Then just right-click on the drive you tried to compress, and deselect 'Compress this Drive', which should still be ticked on. Hit apply, and apply to subfolders/files.

Try that mate

Ok mate I'll give it a go and let you know.

Yjani · 27 Jun 2010 at 12:00

cool, good luck

Seasaw · 27 Jun 2010 at 22:52

In the end I just did a full format and fresh install of windows 7. Which is what I am using as I write this message. It was just a joke trying to restore the boot log on. Nothing would work at all! When trying to cut and paste from the windows 7 disc the files that were corrupted it just refused to overwrite the original files. I tried to give myself admin rights and change the folders from read alone, no avail.

Eventually i decided that it would be quicker to move the files I wanted to save over to another hard drive and do a fresh install rather than waste another day trying to fix this mess.

Yjani · 27 Jun 2010 at 23:55

Shame you didnt get things sorted, fresh install never a bad thing though

Seasaw · 28 Jun 2010 at 01:22

Yep, Things are nice and fast, all drivers installed, took a total of about an hour to install everything from scratch. I lost no files at all so it's not a disaster! I have also created a back-up image this time so I have some added security should windows try to screw me over again in the future.

Many thanks to everyone who gave help and suggestions!