I deleted my boot directory like an idiot. Help please

kevinjb

New Member
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2
So how I got to this point. I put windows 8 on my netbook because my cpu and ram met the requirements. I didn't notice before installing that my video resolution wasn't high enough. Basically I can run windows but can't open any apps. So I tried to put windows 7 starter back on and after halfway reading some tech articles tried some things and ended up deleting the boot directory and now I can't get it to boot. I don't have a cdrom drive(netbook), So I tried putting the windows 7 .iso on a thumb drive and set the boot order to start with that drive but nothing. Stores want to charge me $130 to fix it which is about what the thing is worth so I am praying that someone here can help me. My question is, can I repair windows 8 to get my computer working again and after that how do I put windows 7 starter back on with no cd/dvdrom drive? Feel free to flame me a bit if you know how to fix my problem, I deserve it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 & 7 starter
Hello there!

If you still have the .iso for Windows 7 or 8, copy it to your flash drive, probably get a non-partisan, third party puter and download and install this...

Microsoft Store Online

Scroll down a bit and click on Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool.

That will ask for the .iso (which you should paste the .iso from your flash drive to the other puter) and reformat the flash drive to be bootable. This is your main problem, your drive isn't bootable.

From there, just do a custom install (this will make a Windows.old folder that still keeps your old data, just DO NOT REFORMAT THE HARD DRIVE).

That should do it! And don't be an idiot and delete your boot directory! :D

Photo (16).jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
LOL.

I am assuming you installed win8 by booting a flash drive?

So I tried to put windows 7 starter back on
HOW? It sounds like you didn't have the install media - were you tying to recover from the windows.old folder?

So I tried putting the windows 7 .iso on a thumb drive
HOW?

If you have another windows machine you can use , and the win7 installation.iso, you can use poweriso free ( unregistered ) version to create a bootable flash.

PowerISO - Create, Burn, Mount, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive


To reinstall win7 , either remove ei.cfg, winisoutils - Windows ISO Disc Image Utilities

or you will need the starter.iso for your product key to work.


Create Windows 7 Universal ISO With All Editions Selection On Install with ei.cfg Removal Utility « My Digital Life
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
coke robot: Thanks for the info. You are a life saver for sure.

SIW2: I installed windows 8 by downloading the upgrade at the Microsoft site. I also downloaded window7 starter.iso off of the internet. I do have a desktop as well as my netbook but heres the thing, I used to know more than the average kid about computers back in the 80's and 90's but kind of got out of the tech game in 97. I have quickly learned that technology has advanced a bit since then and I jumped into this thing with a little too much confidence in my abilities. So anyways, to recap, I am windows stupid and you guys are awesome, thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 & 7 starter
OOOHHHHHHHHH yeah technology has progressed since 1997!

Don't worry, it's pretty much the same old story only wrapped around a new enigma.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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