Repair Windows 7 EFI Boot

Question

I installed linux in EFI mode along with windows 7, but after the installation I no longer could enter windows 7 (grub couldn't find windows). ¿How can I restore windows 7 boot?

The only thing that I have is a Windows 7 install CD, (it wasn't the one used to setup the computer).

Sorry for the short description, I don't know what information is useful in this case.

Answer 1

Hello Abraham,  

Thank you for posting your question in Microsoft Community. We are glad to help you.

I can understand that must makes you feel upset and we will work towards fixing this issue for you.

The issue could be some corruption in the system files.

To help you suggest steps to resolve the issue, I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions:

1. What is the make and model number of your computer?
2. What exactly happens when you try to boot in windows 7?
3. Do you get any error message on your screen? If yes, please provide us the complete error message.

I would suggest you to follow the methods given below and check

Method 1. Try to go into safe mode

In Safe mode; you have access to only basic files and drivers. Refer to the link to start the computer in safe mode and then check -

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode 

If you are able to go into safe mode try method 2

Step 2 Try to go into System recovery options

The system recovery options menu contains several tools, such as Startup Repair, that can help you recover windows from a serious error. I would suggest you to go into recovery option using your windows 7 disk and try startup repair. For that you can refer to the link below and go to startup repair section.

What are the system recovery options in Windows?

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

If the above steps for startup repair didn't help, you can also try the Bootrec tool mentioned in method 3

Method 3:

This article talks about how to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows RE to troubleshoot and repair Master boot Record (MBR), boot sector and Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store.

Use Bootrec.exe in the Windows RE to troubleshoot startup issues 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392 

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows.

Thank you,

Answer 2

Thanks for the reply.

Asking your questions:

1. I don't have at hand the model number of the compuer
2. I cannot boot windows 7, the linux bootloader doesn't have an entry for it.
3. As I cannot boot windows, there is no error. But I tried using a BIOS utility to boot 'EFI application' but couldn't find the correct .efi file for windows in my filesystem

As i cannot boot windows, usign 'safe mode' is not possible.

So I used the method 3 (it's funny because there is no method 2) you suggested, but don't know what options should I use to restore windows bootloader (currently the machine starts grub bootloader).

Answer 3

Hello Abraham,

Thanks for your quick reply.

I apologies for writing method two as method three.

As per description, it seems issue could be with startups or with boot sector gone corrupt.

I would suggest you to try following method and check if issue persist

Method 1:

Try to do startup repair from System recovery options

Go into recovery option using your windows 7 disk and try startup repair.

Startup Repair is the first of several Windows 7 System in Recovery Options. Startup Repair basically fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, which might prevent Windows from starting correctly.

To run startup repair you can follow the steps given below

• Insert your Windows 7 OS disc in your CD/DVD drive and restart your computer.
• Hold down the "F8" key on your keyboard while the computer boots. This will open the "Advanced boot options" screen.
• Choose "Repair my computer" and press "Enter." The "System Recovery Options" screen opens.
• Select "Startup Repair" and click "Next." The Startup Repair tool is now scanning your computer for startup problems; if any are found it will go ahead and repair them.

If the above steps for startup repair didn't help, you can try method 2

Method 2. Run the Bootrec.exe

Bootsect.exe repairs the boot sector.  It can also repair the MBR and rebuild the boot manager (BCD).

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, first start the Windows RE:

• Put the Windows 7 media in the DVD drive, and then start the computer.
• Press a key when you are prompted.
• Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard, or an input method, and then click Next.
• Click Repair your computer.
• Select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
• In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
• Type Bootrec.exe, and then press Enter.

Now type these following commands and hit enter after each line of command:

Bootrec /fixmbr               Bootrec /fixboot               Bootrec /scanos               Bootrec /rebuildbcd

Restart the computer and check the issue

Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows.

Thank you

Answer 4

Which distro are you using, and did you install Linux yourself, or did someone do it for you? 

When you installed it, when you were at the option screen that asked if you wanted to install Linux alongside your existing OS, were you careful to make sure that you selected the proper option?  

Did you install LInux from a DVD or a USB?  

Also, have you tried asking your question on the Users Forum for the Linux distro that you installed?  You'll generally get far better help on the Community Forum for your individual distro than you will be able to get on Microsoft Answers.

Answer 5

I'm using Manjaro Linux, installed by me, using an USB flash drive.

I used the 'advanced' installation process because of the partition table in my computer (4 primary partitions). All I know is that the windows boot partition and OS partition are still there.

Thanks for the reply. Will continue searching.