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

30 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,606 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

59,606 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

59,606 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

59,606 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

59,606 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

Loner T

Level 9

59,606 points

Sep 26, 2016 10:09 AM in response to dteoman

What is the year/model of your Mac? Can you see the Bootcamp partition in Finder and see files in it?

Please post the output of

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

sudo dd if=/dev/rdisk0s5 count=1 2>/dev/null | hexdump -C

dteoman

Level 1

4 points

Sep 27, 2016 12:27 AM in response to Loner T

MBP Retina Mid 2012, OSX El Capitan,10.11.4

And yes I do have access to files surprisingly.

Thank you for the quick response.

Loner T

Level 9

59,606 points

Sep 27, 2016 5:10 AM in response to dteoman

You will need to recreate your MBR using the steps in Re: [Help] Can't boot to windows (8.1) after resizing partition as an example.

dteoman

Level 1

4 points

Sep 28, 2016 1:25 AM in response to Loner T

Worked like a charm!

Thanks a lot, you re a life saver.

Loner T

Level 9

59,606 points

Sep 28, 2016 4:47 AM in response to dteoman

Please back up OS X, Windows and create a Windows System Restore point.

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