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Charlie_Mc Author

Level 1

5 points

How do I run Win7 Startup Repair from USB to repair Bootcamp installation?

I messed up my bootcamp partition after resizing the OSX partition to give it more space so I found this fix - http://mourougan.com/2013/06/22/repairing-boot-camp-after-creating-new-partition /

The fix worked in that the windows partition now shows up on startup manager but when I try to load it the 'missing operating system' error message shows.

So I need to run Startup Repair from USB but when I try that from startup manager it just gives a black screen and blinking cursor, nothing happens from there...

Can anyone help with getting startup repair to load? any advice greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jan 19, 2015 4:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Posted on Jan 19, 2015 12:37 PM

The NTFS header of your Windows partition should be checked as well.

Can you post the output of the following OSX Terminal commands (These do not make any changes to your partitions of files. Enter your password for the sudo commands).

diskutil list

diskutil cs list

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

Once the BC partition is established, a dd command will show the NTFS header.

If your Windows NTFS is intact, the following steps can be used for W7/W8.

1. If you have a built-in Optical drive, insert installation media, otherwise use the USB created via BCA with the installation ISO and BC drivers.

2. Select System Preferences -> Startup Disk -> Bootcamp (Do not select the Installation Media) -> Restart.

3. Windows should boot from the Installation Media.

4. Use Repair Windows from the Installer window. Here is set of screen shots for W7 recovery. - http://imgur.com/a/1DaOE#0.

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30 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 20, 2015 7:40 AM in response to Charlie_Mc

If you remove the USB, can you boot Windows?

Charlie_Mc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 20, 2015 7:58 AM in response to Loner T

Tried removing the USB but does not boot Windows, comes to same screen and enter to continue not working...

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 20, 2015 8:00 AM in response to Charlie_Mc

You seem to have a corrupted BCD. You can either use EasyBCD, but my recommendation would be look at https://neosmart.net/wiki/bootrec/ this first.

Charlie_Mc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 20, 2015 8:58 AM in response to Loner T

Ok I checked out that link and made a Easy Recovery Essentials USB using a ISO I found here http://bindhunaath.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/windows-xp-7-8-and-81-recovery-disc.ht mland EasyBCD with these instructions - https://neosmart.net/wiki/easybcd/tips-and-tricks/easyre-recovery-usb/

I still get the same screen from posted screenshot when I restart in Bootcamp with the USB inserted, do you I think I need to load it a different way?

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 20, 2015 9:31 AM in response to Charlie_Mc

You may need to create a W7 System Repair Disc and use that (using bootrec.exe and recreate the BCD store).

Please see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-are-system-recovery-options#what -are-system-recovery-options=windows-7

Charlie_Mc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 21, 2015 4:11 AM in response to Loner T

I made a W7 System Repair Disc on USB but it won't load either when I restart into Bootcamp, tested it on a Windows machine and it worked ok.

I get the feeling that nothing is going to load in Bootcamp on USB to repair it, I don't have a optical drive I can try so perhaps only option is to delete Bootcamp partition and reinstall it? At least now I can copy the important files over from Bootcamp via finder in OSX...

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 21, 2015 5:24 AM in response to Charlie_Mc

Can you check if the USB shows up in Apple Bootmanager? You may also want to look at https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200124.aspx.

Charlie_Mc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 21, 2015 5:33 AM in response to Loner T

Yes it shows up there, tried selecting it but it gets stuck on the blinking cursor screen...

I followed the same instructions as in that link to make the bootable USB making it NTFS, is that correct or should it be FAT32?

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

Jan 21, 2015 8:17 AM in response to Charlie_Mc

NTFS should be fine.

1. Plug-in your Bootable USB (try different USB ports if possible). It should be a USB2 device, not a USB3 device.

2. In OSX System Preferences -> Startup Disk -> select Bootcamp (not the USB device) -> Restart.

3. The Windows Repair/Installer should boot up. Select Repair or use Command line and use bootrec.exe.

dteoman

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2016 7:46 AM in response to Loner T

Hey Loner T, like above, I have tried to downsize El Capitan my MBPR Mid 2012, to make more room for my BC Win 7 Pro. Below is where I stand, however, when I run the Windows repair, even though the CD that I insert is the same one I installed BC with, it gives me an error saying that this CD is incompatible for the repair.

BC is visible in Disk Utility, but not in the start up screen.

In the Start Up Disk, the icon resembles a folder rather than a drive like the OSX also.

Really looking forward to your reply. Thanks