Solved Accidentally Deleted System Reserve partition

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Ghed

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So a few weeks ago I was screwing around with partitioning my HDD trying to get around some bad sectors that I had picked up in a chkdsk. In the process I accidentally deleted the System Reserve partition, so naturally now my windows wont boot. I've tried downloading a recovery disk but this didnt help, I tried using a bootable version of partition wizard to fix the problem to no avail. I'm currently running a bootable version of ubuntu so that I can do general browsing and access the HDD, but I really need my windows back up and running I havent been able to get any work done in these past two weeks as this Laptop is my only available. Others have suggested doing a format and clean install but this is almost impossible for me as I have too much things on my legit windows installation I cant do without. Please help me if possible any advice would be highly appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
You have to re-install Windows to restore the boot partition properly.
There are some other solutions, but none of them could give a 100% result.

Back-up all of your important stuff.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    i5-6500 @3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B150-HD3P-CF
    Memory
    16GB DDR4 2133 Crucial Ballistix Sport LT
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 1060 GAMING X 6G
    Sound Card
    Built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Liyama ProLite XB2483HSU-B2
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX200 500GB & Toshiba DT01ACA300 3TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM550x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define S
    Cooling
    Cooler Master TX3 i
    Keyboard
    Func KB-460 (MX Red)
    Mouse
    Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 + MBAM Pro + MBAE Pro
    Other Info
    Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage V2 headset
http://www.eightforums.com/installa...-unable-boot-into-windows-8-a.html#post425697

Note that these instructions only work if the hard disk has an MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table. Here is some info about MBR and GPT partition style: link

- Boot the computer using the Windows 7/8/8.1 installation media.
- On the first screen, press SHIFT+F10 to bring up command prompt.
- Run the following commands at the command prompt.

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

The bootrec /rebuildbcd command will search for Windows installations not included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and then ask you if you'd like to add one or more to it.

******************************

Note: If you receive the error message "Element not found" when you execute the "bootrec /fixboot" or bootrec /rebuildbcd command, then you must first mark boot partition as active with diskpart. Note: If there is a partition labeled "System Reserved", it is the boot partition, if not, the Windows OS partition is the boot partition.

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the "System Reserved" partition (if you have it) or the Windows OS partition.
active
exit

******************************

Note: If Windows does not start and you receive the error message "BOOTMGR is missing", then copy the bootmgr file from the Windows installation media to your Windows OS partition root directory.

diskpart
list volume Note: Note the volume letters.
exit

(these instructions assume your DVD drive is D: and your Windows OS is installed in C: drive)

copy D:\bootmgr C:\

******************************
Click to expand...

Step One:

bootrec /fixmbr

Step Two:

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select [DEL]the "System Reserved" partition (if you have it) or[/DEL] the Windows OS partition.
active
exit

Fix boot 1.png

Step Three:

bootrec /fixboot

Step Four:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Fix boot 2.png

Fix boot 3.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Download my bootable tools iso - link in sig below to get a "Windows" Recovery Environment

"W" in this command example is your Windows OS Drive letter - change to match your Actual Windows OS drive letter..

From the command prompt type>

W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Welcome Ghed !

Good answers genet and KYHI !

:thumbsup:

+1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
There is a small difference in the method - My method will repair the boot files on both MBR and EFI disks
Not just MBR Boot disks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
KYHI said:
Download my bootable tools iso - link in sig below to get a "Windows" Recovery Environment

"W" in this command example is your Windows OS Drive letter - change to match your Actual Windows OS drive letter..

From the command prompt type>


W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows
Click to expand...

Ok thanks, i'll try it now I'll be back with the results
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
genet, try this in your VM test subject

W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows /s W:

the > /s W:

tells it to install the boot files on that MBR partition
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
KYHI said:
Download my bootable tools iso - link in sig below to get a "Windows" Recovery Environment

"W" in this command example is your Windows OS Drive letter - change to match your Actual Windows OS drive letter..

From the command prompt type>

W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot W:\Windows
Click to expand...

x:\windows\system32>d:\windows\system32\bcdboot d:\windows
Failure when attempting to copy boot files.
x:\windows\system32>
I got this when I attempted to use the command line
.

genet if this doesnt work out i'll try your method, I'm getting a windows 8.1 cd on loan later today
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
try this > d:\windows\system32\bcdboot d:\windows /s D:

You could actually use the recovery iso - in my sig below to boot into a custom windows recovery enviroment (WinRE) instead of a black cmd prompt..

that way you can actually see what is going on with your disk and partitions.. You could even re-create the deleted system partition with partition assistant.. and then add the boot files to it..

You deleted the partition - but, did you move or overwrite the unallocated free space that the deleted partition created..

hard to tell from a windows pre-installation environment (WinPE) - black cmd windows..
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
x:\windows\system32>d:\windows\system32\bcdboot d:\windows /s D:
Click to expand...
Boot files successfully created.
1.Thing is when I restart the PC it still wont boot from the HDD.
You could actually use the recovery iso - in my sig below to boot into a custom windows recovery enviroment (WinRE) instead of a black cmd prompt..

that way you can actually see what is going on with your disk and partitions..
Click to expand...
2. Thank you I have been using winre which i got from your sig its really helpful
You could even re-create the deleted system partition with partition assistant.. and then add the boot files to it..
Click to expand...
3. Actually going to try this now but is it really that easy? How exactly do I go about this though?
You deleted the partition - but, did you move or overwrite the unallocated free space that the deleted partition created
Click to expand...
4. I dont think I did

This is how my drive looks at the moment
Home.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
I am posting this from within the Custom windows 8.1 recovery enviroment it allows you to SEE what you are doing and gives you access to some pretty useful tools..
View attachment 59920
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
open aomei partition assistant and look at the hdd for unallocated space
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
You are using a GPT Disk.. select that Unallocated space at the end of your drive create a 100MB Fat32 EFI partition

That is why the last command you ran completed with sucess BUT failed to Boot.. UEFI-GPT boots from a Fat32 Partition and will not boot from a NTFS Windows partition

MBR disks will, BUT GPT dsiks will not
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Ok so I made it so i'm going to apply the changes and get back to you with my results. Again thank you so much you are a big help

Almost home.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
cancel that (do not Apply) and we will do it through diskpart as we need to create another partitions as well
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
KYHI said:
cancel that (do not Apply) and we will do it through diskpart as we need to create another partitions as well
Click to expand...

Ok then. Just walk me through it and i'll do as you command
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung
open command prompt and typeone line at a time>
diskpart
select disk 0
create partition efi size=100
format quick fs=fat32 label="SYSTEM"
assign letter="S"

create partition msr size=128
exit

c:\windows\system32\bcdboot C:\windows /s S: /f UEFI
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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