Restoring Windows 7 boot. Creating a copy of the BCD boot loader

One of the reasons why the computer does not start in the operating system Windows system 7, is boot record (MBR) corruption. Let's consider in what ways it can be restored, and, therefore, the opportunity to return normal operation on PC.

The boot record can be damaged for many reasons, including system failure, sudden power outage or power surges, viruses, etc. We will look at how to deal with the consequences of these unpleasant factors that led to the emergence of the problem described in this article. You can fix this problem either automatically or manually using "Command line".

Method 1: Automatic recovery

The Windows operating system itself provides a tool that corrects boot entry. As a rule, after an unsuccessful system startup, when you turn on the computer again, it is activated automatically; you just need to agree to perform the procedure in the dialog box. But even if automatic start did not happen, it can be activated manually.

If, using the method described above, even the recovery environment does not start for you, then perform the indicated operation by booting from the installation disk or flash drive and selecting the option in the start window "System Restore".

Method 2: Bootrec

Unfortunately, the method described above does not always help, and then you have to restore the boot entry of the boot.ini file manually using the Bootrec utility. It is activated by entering a command in "Command line". But since it’s standard to run this tool If it doesn't work due to the inability to boot the system, you will have to activate it again through the recovery environment.

If this option does not help, then there is another method, which is also carried out through the Bootrec utility.

Method 3: BCDboot

If neither the first nor the second methods work, then it is possible to restore the bootloader using another utility - BCDboot. Like the previous tool, it is launched via "Command line" in the recovery window. BCDboot repairs or creates a boot environment for the active partition hard drive. Especially this method effective if the boot environment was moved to another hard drive partition as a result of a failure.

There are several ways to restore the boot record in Windows 7 if it is damaged. In most cases, it is quite enough to perform an automatic resuscitation operation. But if its use does not lead to positive results, special ones come to the rescue system utilities, launched from "Command line" in the OS recovery environment.

It happens that turning on the computer after an incorrect shutdown, a power outage, or installing a second operating system, a message appears on the screen indicating that it cannot be detected. boot disk or bootloader. In order to start the computer in this case, you need to restore the Windows 10 bootloader. But you should immediately find out what it is, and also consider the reasons for the appearance of such errors.

What is a bootloader?

The OS operating system loader is a program that allows the OS to start after successful completion of the computer's self-test when turned on. This very testing of PC hardware components is carried out by a set of BIOS microprograms, after which it transfers control of the system to the bootloader, which already launches the operating system.

This scheme is relevant not only for computers and laptops; it is used in many devices: simple logic controllers, smartphones and other mobile devices.

The bootloader performs several functions besides starting the OS:

• prepares the hardware to load the operating system kernel;
• launches the OS kernel stored on HDD, SDD or transmitted over the network;
• transfers control of the device to the operating system kernel.

Causes of the problem

The error message occurs after the initial boot phase of the computer has completed, and the boot loader, which needs to transfer control of starting the OS, is not found in the specified location (the first sector of the boot disk). There are several reasons for errors regarding the absence of a boot record:

• availability bad sectors on disk;
• absence of a bootloader file, which in the top ten is called bootmgr;
• careless handling of programs for creating multiboot configurations (EasyBCD);
• installing an older operating system on top of a new one and generally installing a second OS.

Solving the problem

Restoring the Windows 10 bootloader is carried out using several methods using command line. If the user is new or unfamiliar with this system tool, there is no need to worry. There is absolutely nothing complicated here, and even a beginner can cope with resuscitating the bootloader by strictly following the given instructions.

Before you begin recovery, you need to perform a few simple operations:

• disconnect everything from the computer external media data (flash drive, camera, e-reader, smartphone), and when
• capabilities, and all other USB devices except the mouse and keyboard;
• go to BIOS section, most often referred to as “Boot” or “Boot priority”, and select as the 1st boot device
• hard drive where Windows 10 is located.

If after a reboot the problem does not disappear, we move on to more drastic solutions.

Method No. 1

To restore the boot loader in Windows 10 (and any other Windows, starting from Windows 7), you will need a distribution kit with operating system installation files. Most likely, it will be a bootable USB flash drive created from an ISO image. A Windows 10 recovery disc will also work.

1. Connect bootable USB flash drive, reboot the computer and boot from this drive using the “Boot menu”.

It is usually called up using the F9, F11 or F12 key. In any case, information about this is displayed at the time of self-testing of PC hardware components.

2. Go to the “tens” recovery environment by clicking on the link of the same name on the screen with the “Install” button.

3. Go to click on the icon with the inscription: “Troubleshooting” and call up additional parameters.

4. Launch the command line.

By the way, by selecting the “Startup Repair” option, the steps below can be automated, but the method does not always work.

5. Enter a sequence of system commands, executing them by pressing the “Enter” key:

• diskpart - to launch a utility that allows you to work with disk partitions;
• list volume - visualizes data about the partitions of your hard drive (remember the letter label of the volume on which Windows is located);
• exit - exit from the Diskpart program.

6. Execute the command “bcdboot x:\windows”, where x is the letter of the partition with OS files.

7. After a message appears about the successful creation of the download files, restart the computer.

Method number 2

If restoring the Windows 10 bootloader using the proposed method failed, repeat all the steps given in the first section, up to the 4th step.

If you are using a PC with a new UEFI interface and circuit GPT partitions, we are looking for a hidden volume formatted in FAT32, the size of which ranges from ~300-500 MB. When using the old one motherboard with BIOS we are looking for a volume ~450 MB in size with the same file system.

2. Remember the section number, for example, “Volume 3”, and its letter label.

3. Execute the chain of commands below:

select volume X, where X is the drive letter;
format fs=fat32 or format fs=ntfs, depending on the file system;
assign letter Y - assign a letter label to the disk;
exit - unload diskpart from RAM;
bcdboot C:\Windows /s Y: /f all, (C:\ - system partition):
diskpart
list volume
select volume X;
remove letter=Y - disables display of the service disk in Windows;

4. Close the command line and reboot.

Method No. 3

Restoring the bootloader using the above methods is impossible without having bootable media with installation Windows files 10, so let’s consider the simplest (but not the most effective) option for restoring the “tens” bootloader. To do this, we launch “Special download options,” which is not always possible. In additional parameters, open the command line, execute the command “bootrec.exe /fixboot” and reboot the computer. This concludes the methods for restoring the Windows 10 bootloader.

If Windows does not load when you turn on your computer and the process freezes on a black screen, your hard drive's boot record (MBR) may be damaged.

External manifestations

When an error appears on the screen, doubts disappear.

Other information about a malfunction of the HDD bootloader may also be displayed.

The text information may vary depending on the classification of the error. But when the word boot is mentioned, it is clear that there is a problem with loading.

You can find out how to restore the MBR on this page.

Reasons

Pay attention to common causes of malfunctions boot sector HDD.

Two types of bootloader

Older systems prior to Windows XP used the NT Loader (NTLDR). In Windows 7, Vista and subsequent versions of the OS, UEFI and EFI began to be used. Therefore, old and new systems are usually not installed on the same PC. Otherwise, NTLDR overwrites UEFI.

Third party software

Errors in the boot sector of the HDD can occur when using even popular programs for the hard drive partition. This happened to me with Acronis. This happens because such software replaces disk loading drivers with its own. This can corrupt the original MBR entry. Therefore, it is better to use built-in methods hard section Windows disk.

Viruses

Viruses sometimes wreak havoc on the MBR. Therefore, after restoring the HDD boot, check your computer with anti-virus programs.

If you are sure that the cause is viruses, then clean your PC of them before repairing the MBR. For this purpose, there are utilities from well-known antivirus companies, for example, Kaspersky Rescue Disk. They are provided free of charge on official websites with instructions for use.

Any of these programs is included in the software package for a CD or DVD, which allows you to boot from a CD, find and remove viruses on the HDD.

Windows 7 Boot Recovery

Sector repair is performed from a CD or USB flash drive with the operating system installation package.

1. First, insert the DVD into the drive or flash drive into the USB connector with the Windows distribution.
2. Then you need to allow startup from these devices. This is done in the BIOS settings.

Changing download sources

Technology of the following order:

Be sure to press F10 when exiting, otherwise the changes will not be saved!

Working from a CD or flash device

Proceed in the following order:

1. After the reboot, the following message will appear at the bottom: “Press any key...”. This asks you to press any key. Click. It won't work out otherwise. If the inscription has already disappeared, repeat everything from the beginning. To do this, press three keys at once: Ctrl+Alt+Del. This will cause the computer to restart.
2. When you boot from the DVD or flash drive, a window will appear Windows installations. At the bottom left, select “System Restore”.
   
3. You will be prompted to connect network capabilities, select languages ​​or a drive letter. You don’t change anything and get to the choice of systems.
4. Highlight the desired Windows and check the box next to “Use recovery tools...”.
   
5. If the required system does not exist, it should appear when you click “Download drivers”.
6. Continue with the “Next” button.
7. In the next window, select “Startup recovery”, and the MBR can be reanimated automatically.
   
8. If the sector does not work, then press “Command Line”.
9. On the command line, call the Bootrec utility and write for it to repair the MBR: bootrec /fixmbr. You end each command with the Enter key.
   
10. Then create a new boot sector: bootrec/ fixboot. To exit the program, type exit and remember to press Enter.

If the fixes didn't help

There is another MBR resuscitation command - bootsect /NT60 SYS. After that, try to boot again.

If the attempt fails, write on the command line like this: bootsect/rebuildbcd. A search will be performed for operating systems installed on the PC.

Now try logging into Windows again. Please note that there will now be one more system in the list. Try to enter each of them. It should work!

Non-standard way

If all sector recovery options do not help, it is recommended to reinstall Windows. And no matter how much you want to do it sometimes! Isn't it true?

I thought so too and decided to put another small system nearby. What does "small" mean? This is a bootloader system. It is empty: I did not install drivers or my programs on it, because I don’t work in it. But it's loading!

I achieved what I needed: a working boot area appeared on the hard drive. Now I log into the old system normally. The downside is that I lost about 14 GB of disk space. If you are not afraid, you can use this method!

How to fix a sector in Windows 8-10 and Vista?

For Vista and later Windows versions The same methods are suitable as for the “seven”, only the design is different. For example, in the “eight” he is like this.

But the points remain the same. Therefore, we will not describe them. Use the instructions described above for Windows 7.

On Windows XP

In the "experiment" sector, the principle of resuscitation of the sector is similar. But the entrance is a little different. Now you will see it:

1. After booting from the CD, system files are copied to the hard drive.
2. Then the action selection window appears.

In every operating room Windows system personal computer There are special tools that are responsible for an action or operation. But there is a tool with which you can change errors and problems, and also implement windows recovery from the command line.
If loading the OS fails, you need to use the Bootrec.exe utility.

With its help, computer problems are resolved, data is corrected, including windows loading or download configuration files.

Bootrec.exe - help with fixing Windows boot

If you have problems starting your computer and find problems with it, you should use the method for fixing Windows boot errors. It doesn’t matter which Windows is installed, the problem must be solved so that you can continue to perform the tasks assigned to you.

When working with a tool like Butrek.exe, they use commands for, but if a problematic situation arose in the OS itself, the tool must be launched inside it.

If this happened in Windows 7 version, you will need installation media or a disk that is capable of bootable recovery hard sector disk. You can boot from USB or DVD disks, it depends on the OS version.

Then you need to decide on the choice of operating system that needs to be updated. This is a serious task, since among many systems there is only one that requires fixing. To continue, click the “Next” button.

If you do not have a disk for installation on Windows 7 or a disk responsible for restoring the boot sector, you will need access to tools. They, with the help of restorative hidden sections. Windows 7 will be able to set them automatically when the OS is installed.

Writing new boot sectors

The bootrec function with the /FixBoot parameter will make it possible to write to the boot sector inside the system partition on hard drives. When performing this procedure, you need to use boot partitions, but only those that are compatible with Windows OS versions 7 and 8.

The following parameters can be used:

• If there is damage on the boot sectors, and their structure and size do not meet the requirements of the hard drive.
• When recording boot sectors that are not compatible with the Windows system.
• When the old Windows OS was installed in place of the new version.

Often, after an inexperienced or simply overly self-confident user plays with the computer settings, it begins to produce various errors - even . In most cases, they can be easily fixed by simply asking Google the right questions.

But what to do if the system doesn’t even want to boot?

Description of the problem

A black screen and scary white inscriptions plunge inexperienced users into despondency, making them want to immediately format the C:\ drive and install new system. This is not always the smartest thing to do. Let's consider one of the most common mistakes that prevent the operating system from loading: Windows boot loader corruption. This error makes itself felt with a black screen and a system message:

Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart

This inscription is very deceptive; it cannot be perceived directly. Knowledgeable English language people can easily translate “The boot manager is missing, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to reboot.”

Let's figure out what these words mean. For convenience, we will split this message into two parts:

• There is no download manager. This does not mean that all information has been deleted from the disk or that the hard drive itself is missing. The system means that it cannot read information about where to boot the system from. It can’t, it means it doesn’t exist - that’s computer logic.
• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to reboot. A classic of the genre - by pressing these keys, you simply restart the computer, but the error will remain. This can be repeated ad infinitum.

From this we conclude: everything is not so bad, because the problem can be fixed programmatically. To do this, we need to perform a special procedure - recovery windows boot loader 7. There are two ways to do this.

Recovering the bootloader using System Restore

To restore using this method, you will need a boot disk (installation disk) Windows disk). Then simply follow the algorithm:

Let's look at them separately:

System utility Bootrec. This program is very functional, but its main purpose is to overwrite the master boot record on the system partition. That is, it should only be used when the boot entry exists, and you just want to remove unnecessary code from it.

You can run this program by writing the command “Bootrec.exe” into the command line. After this, the utility will display a list of keys with which it works, and you select the one you need and write: Bootrec.exe “needed key”. Just remember that keys are written separated by a space.

System utility BCDBooT. This program is used to create or restore a boot record. That is, it needs to be used when it is damaged or completely missing.

To create a boot entry, write the command “bcdboot.exe” into the line. Then, separated by a space, write the path to your operating system. For example "C:\windows". The complete command will look like this: "bcdboot.exe C:\windows".

Recovering the bootloader without a boot disk

This method is almost identical to the first, except that you do not need a boot disk to implement it. This is very convenient, but does not always work.

To restore the bootloader Windows data way, you need to do the following:

• After turning on the computer, press the F8 key before loading the operating system.
• If you did everything correctly, a window for additional download options will open.
• Select the first option, “Troubleshoot your computer.”