iharp19
asked on
Windows 7 Boot Problem:
Hi Experts:
My custom built PC system had a dual-boot configuration. My Hard Disk (1 TB divided in two 500 GB partitions) had Win XP Pro 32-bit on Disk 0 Partion 1 and Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit on Disk 0 Partition 2. Everthing was working fine and I could boot up my system in either OS.
Today, I removed my WinXP OS by following the required steps - Using my Win7 installation disk to get a CMD prompt and perform the following steps:
Type the command:
Diskpart
Once the Diskpart environment is ready, select first hard disk by typing the command:
Select disk 0
Once the first hard disk has the focus, select the first partition (Windows XP) by typing the command:
Select partition 1
Just for peace of mind, you may want to double-check that you have the Windows XP partition selected by typing the command
Detail partition
Delete the Windows XP partition by typing the command:
Delete partition
Now select the Windows 7 partition by typing the command:
Select partition 2
Make the Windows 7 partition the active primary partition by typing the command:
Active
Exit the DiskPart environment by typing the command:
Exit
At this point, you are ready to enable the Windows Boot Manager on the Windows 7 partition using the BootRec command.
Write the master boot record to the Windows 7 partition by using the command:
Bootrec /fixmbr
Write a new boot sector to the Windows 7 partition by using the command:
Bootrec /fixboot
All the steps returned success. However, when I tried to reboot my system to Win7, I get the following system message:
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
I went through alot of suggestions including the following methods to try and solve my problem, but to no avail.
Method 1: Startup Repair from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
==========================
1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click Next.
6. At the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on Repair your computer.
7. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
8. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Startup Repair.
Method 2: Rebuild BCD
==========================
1. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type BOOTREC /FIXMBR, and then press ENTER.
8. Type BOOTREC /FIXBOOT, and then press ENTER.
9. Type BOOTREC /REBUILDBCD, and then press ENTER.
Method 3: Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to run System Restore
==========================
1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click Next
6. At the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on System Restore.
7. Follow the System Restore Wizard instruction as usual and choose the appropriate restore point.
8. Click Finish to restore the system.
What else can I try other than re-installing my Win7 operating system?
Cheers,
PGM
My custom built PC system had a dual-boot configuration. My Hard Disk (1 TB divided in two 500 GB partitions) had Win XP Pro 32-bit on Disk 0 Partion 1 and Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit on Disk 0 Partition 2. Everthing was working fine and I could boot up my system in either OS.
Today, I removed my WinXP OS by following the required steps - Using my Win7 installation disk to get a CMD prompt and perform the following steps:
Type the command:
Diskpart
Once the Diskpart environment is ready, select first hard disk by typing the command:
Select disk 0
Once the first hard disk has the focus, select the first partition (Windows XP) by typing the command:
Select partition 1
Just for peace of mind, you may want to double-check that you have the Windows XP partition selected by typing the command
Detail partition
Delete the Windows XP partition by typing the command:
Delete partition
Now select the Windows 7 partition by typing the command:
Select partition 2
Make the Windows 7 partition the active primary partition by typing the command:
Active
Exit the DiskPart environment by typing the command:
Exit
At this point, you are ready to enable the Windows Boot Manager on the Windows 7 partition using the BootRec command.
Write the master boot record to the Windows 7 partition by using the command:
Bootrec /fixmbr
Write a new boot sector to the Windows 7 partition by using the command:
Bootrec /fixboot
All the steps returned success. However, when I tried to reboot my system to Win7, I get the following system message:
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
I went through alot of suggestions including the following methods to try and solve my problem, but to no avail.
Method 1: Startup Repair from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
==========================
1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click Next.
6. At the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on Repair your computer.
7. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
8. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Startup Repair.
Method 2: Rebuild BCD
==========================
1. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type BOOTREC /FIXMBR, and then press ENTER.
8. Type BOOTREC /FIXBOOT, and then press ENTER.
9. Type BOOTREC /REBUILDBCD, and then press ENTER.
Method 3: Use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to run System Restore
==========================
1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …". appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click Next
6. At the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on System Restore.
7. Follow the System Restore Wizard instruction as usual and choose the appropriate restore point.
8. Click Finish to restore the system.
What else can I try other than re-installing my Win7 operating system?
Cheers,
PGM
ASKER
Hi nwtechdesk:
As you will see in my original posting under Method 1, I booted with win7 DVD and ran startup repair, but it return success and did not resolve the problem.
What do you suggest that I actually do with bcdedit? I have already reviewed my \boot\BCD file and it looks fine. In fact, I created a backup of my BCD file and recreated a new BCD from scratch, but that didn't work.
The question is....are there something possibly corrupted entries in my BCD file that is causing this boot failure error? And if so, how can identify?
As you will see in my original posting under Method 1, I booted with win7 DVD and ran startup repair, but it return success and did not resolve the problem.
What do you suggest that I actually do with bcdedit? I have already reviewed my \boot\BCD file and it looks fine. In fact, I created a backup of my BCD file and recreated a new BCD from scratch, but that didn't work.
The question is....are there something possibly corrupted entries in my BCD file that is causing this boot failure error? And if so, how can identify?
Have you tried running CHKDSK from the Command Prompt section of Windows Recovery Environment (booting from the Win7 DVD) to see if the problem is caused by corrupt disk files?
ASKER
LeeTutor:
Thanks for the reply to my posting.
I had previously ran CHKDSK and it had found BitMap Volume errors that it corrected, but this didn't solve my problem.
Followup to my problem: I have now exhausted many suggestions to fix my problem, but cannot get it resolved. Everthing that I have tried seems to suggest that it should fix my problem, but nothing does.
THe last thing I tried was to manually rebuild my boot config data file [C:\Boot\BCD] from scratch, verified the entries, but the system reboot produced the same system error (shown below):
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc00000225
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
Also, I have now just noticed that there is no C:\bootmgr file when I do a "dir" listing in my Command Prompt. Where has it gone? Where is it located, if not in C:\ directory? Is it hidden?
Any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply to my posting.
I had previously ran CHKDSK and it had found BitMap Volume errors that it corrected, but this didn't solve my problem.
Followup to my problem: I have now exhausted many suggestions to fix my problem, but cannot get it resolved. Everthing that I have tried seems to suggest that it should fix my problem, but nothing does.
THe last thing I tried was to manually rebuild my boot config data file [C:\Boot\BCD] from scratch, verified the entries, but the system reboot produced the same system error (shown below):
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc00000225
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
Also, I have now just noticed that there is no C:\bootmgr file when I do a "dir" listing in my Command Prompt. Where has it gone? Where is it located, if not in C:\ directory? Is it hidden?
Any suggestions?
The bootmgr file is normally hidden. If you do a DIR /AH when you are in the root directory of C:, it should show up, unless it is actually missing, in which case that could be your problem...
ASKER
Yes, the bootmgr was hidden. I didn't include /AH option in doing the "dir".
To recap issue:
My dual boot system of WinXP (Disk0 Part 1) and Win7 (Disk0 Part 2) used to work. I removed WinXP partition using DISKPART command and now Win7 is on Disk0 Partition 1, but the Win7 sytem no longer boots as stated in my previous posts above. I know from reviewing my hard drive that Win7 OS still resides in the second half of the disk - the first half of the disk where WinXP used to reside, is now unallocated.
Q: Is there something causing the system to not boot in Win7 from the second part of hard drive? Or is this not the problem?
I have included a copy of what my boot config data (BCD) file looks like after performing startup "repairs" using the Win7 DVD recovery disk (see below).
Are there any errors in the entries in this file that maybe causing the following system error on bootup:
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc00000225
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
Boot Config Data (BCD) file ===>
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=C:
path \bootmgr
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-us
inherit {globalsettings}
default {default}
resumeobject {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
displayorder {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
{default}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 10
Resume from Hibernate
---------------------
identifier {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winresum
description Windows Resume Application
locale en-us
inherit {resumeloadersettings}
filepath \hiberfil.sys
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.
description Windows 7 Ultimate (recovered)
locale en-US
recoverysequence {17c5b5e9-887a-11df-a3d2-f
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
To recap issue:
My dual boot system of WinXP (Disk0 Part 1) and Win7 (Disk0 Part 2) used to work. I removed WinXP partition using DISKPART command and now Win7 is on Disk0 Partition 1, but the Win7 sytem no longer boots as stated in my previous posts above. I know from reviewing my hard drive that Win7 OS still resides in the second half of the disk - the first half of the disk where WinXP used to reside, is now unallocated.
Q: Is there something causing the system to not boot in Win7 from the second part of hard drive? Or is this not the problem?
I have included a copy of what my boot config data (BCD) file looks like after performing startup "repairs" using the Win7 DVD recovery disk (see below).
Are there any errors in the entries in this file that maybe causing the following system error on bootup:
"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the
cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disk and restart your computer.
2. choose your language settings, then click "Next."
3. click "Repair your computer."
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer
manufacturer for assistance>
File: \Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc00000225
Info: An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data."
Boot Config Data (BCD) file ===>
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=C:
path \bootmgr
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-us
inherit {globalsettings}
default {default}
resumeobject {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
displayorder {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
{default}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 10
Resume from Hibernate
---------------------
identifier {17c5b5eb-887a-11df-a3d2-f
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winresum
description Windows Resume Application
locale en-us
inherit {resumeloadersettings}
filepath \hiberfil.sys
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.
description Windows 7 Ultimate (recovered)
locale en-US
recoverysequence {17c5b5e9-887a-11df-a3d2-f
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
On the laptop I am using away from home now, I dual boot Vista and Windows 7 (at home on my desktop, it's just Windows 7.) I just did a BCDEdit dump of my laptop's BCD and compared it to yours and the example in the SevenForums tutorial linked to above by nwtechdesk. I don't see any really substantial differences, as far as I understand the theory of the BCD -- which isn't all that much. A couple of things, though, that MAY be relevant: a) the Identifier for me and the SevenForums tutorial in the Bootloader section is {current} rather than {default}. and b) the Bootloader section of both my pc and the tutorial have a line like this:
inherit {bootloadersettings}
while yours doesn't have this in it. I have no idea of whether either of the above two points has any relevance to your problem, but perhaps you might try using BCDEdit to see if making those changes will eliminate the problem...
inherit {bootloadersettings}
while yours doesn't have this in it. I have no idea of whether either of the above two points has any relevance to your problem, but perhaps you might try using BCDEdit to see if making those changes will eliminate the problem...
Oh, also, there is a line
nx Optin
in the Bootloader section of both my BCD and the tutorial's, which is missing from yours.
nx Optin
in the Bootloader section of both my BCD and the tutorial's, which is missing from yours.
ASKER
I tried to use BCDedit to add the entries above based on the BCDedit documentation, but it returns error or successful but the BCD remains the same - no change. Anyways, from what I read these changes are not going to affect my issue.
Can someone tell me I am wrong?
Maybe it's a hardware error. Your hard disk may be on the verge of failing. I would suggest running a disk diagnostic utility. Most disk vendors have these for free.
www.seagate.com
www.maxtor.com
www.westerndigital.com
www.quantum.com
www.fujitsu.com
For example:
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en
The diagnostic tools are usually going to have to be written to a floppy disk. If you don't have a floppy drive available (even a cheap USB one) or cannot boot to one, then you could try the diagnostic tools on The Ultimate Boot CD:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
www.seagate.com
www.maxtor.com
www.westerndigital.com
www.quantum.com
www.fujitsu.com
For example:
Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools
Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en
The diagnostic tools are usually going to have to be written to a floppy disk. If you don't have a floppy drive available (even a cheap USB one) or cannot boot to one, then you could try the diagnostic tools on The Ultimate Boot CD:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
ASKER
LeeTutor:
First, thanks so much for all your replies. Second, I will going in a new direction. I know from experience that I have put in enough time and effort over the last couple of days to stop and know that I can't resolve this issue.
I am going to reinstall the Win7 OS on this system. I have a fairly recently backup of my data and have recovery software running at the moment to save off my recent data. Although, this is not what I had planned, I think it's best at this stage.
In reply to your last suggestion, I ran Hard Drive Diagnostics testing recently and it had not reported any problems. Yes, I know HD failure may have sneaked in the last week. Anywys, that's where I am at.
Although we didn't arrive at the solution I wanted, I would like to award you some points. I have been away from Expert Exchange for a couple of years, so I forget what is best in rewarding points when solution not found. Is there a Moderator that can make a call on this?
Thanks again.
First, thanks so much for all your replies. Second, I will going in a new direction. I know from experience that I have put in enough time and effort over the last couple of days to stop and know that I can't resolve this issue.
I am going to reinstall the Win7 OS on this system. I have a fairly recently backup of my data and have recovery software running at the moment to save off my recent data. Although, this is not what I had planned, I think it's best at this stage.
In reply to your last suggestion, I ran Hard Drive Diagnostics testing recently and it had not reported any problems. Yes, I know HD failure may have sneaked in the last week. Anywys, that's where I am at.
Although we didn't arrive at the solution I wanted, I would like to award you some points. I have been away from Expert Exchange for a couple of years, so I forget what is best in rewarding points when solution not found. Is there a Moderator that can make a call on this?
Thanks again.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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