bcdboot: "Failure when attempting to copy boot files"

Hello,

A few months ago I successfully converted my Windows (8.1) HDD from GPT format to MBR format, without data loss.
Today I tried to do the same, but I'm stuck at one of the final steps: getting Windows to boot again.

I used the instructions provided by TeraByte Unlimited: https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/kb/article.php?id=580 (See "Converting a Booting Windows 7/8.x/10 GPT drive to MBR/EMBR") and used their BootIT Bare Metal boot disc to do the conversion.
Everything went fine, until step 19. The BCD file did exist on my system, but I figured it'd be better to generate a new one, so I used the rd /s /q C:\Boot command - using the command prompt on the Windows 8.1 recovery disc - to remove the old BCD file. This is where all the problems started, because afterwards I wasn't able to restore/recreate the BCD file using the bcdboot C:\Windows /s C: command.
Whatever I try, I always get a "Failure when attempting to copy boot files." error.

I have tried many commands, but nothing seems to do the trick. Diskpart shows me that Windows is indeed located on the C:\ drive. I double-checked this, because some people stated that this error pops up when you specify the wrong Windows location.
I've even inserted my Windows 8.1 recovery disc and ran Startup Repair. That one would throw an error at me, telling me that it was unsuccessful in finding and fixing the issue.

Other useful information:

- Windows partition is marked as Active (tried and confirmed via both Diskpart and BootIT Bare Metal)
- During the conversion from GPT to MBR, I removed the "System reserved" volume, as suggested by the guide in step 8.

I would appreciate if someone could assist me with this issue. I know it is possible, because I've done it in the past, on the exact same laptop. If you need more information, please let me know.

Thank you very much in advance!

- How to use the BCDboot command in Windows 7/8/10. -> link
- How to fix the Windows 7/8/10 bootloader if the hard drive has an MBR partition table. -> link

Thank you for your reply, Genet. None of those worked unfortunately.
The first link you provided, is what I already tried before posting.

The commands in the second link you provided are also what I tried before posting. (Though found from different sources)
Using the bootrec /rebuildbcd command before would give me my Windows installation. I added it to the BCD back then, but now it doesn't show up any more. I guess that's how it should be.

The seconds command doesn't apply, because I removed the "System reserved" partition earlier, as part of the conversion process.
Even though I don't get a "BOOTMGR is missing" error, I tried to do the last command anyway, but it asks me if I'd like to overwrite the existing "bootmgr" folder on my Windows partition. When I choose "Yes", I get an "Access denied" error.

By the way, the error I get when I try to boot Windows is:

"A disk read error occurred
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

Any other suggestions?
Would it for example be possible to copy the "System reserved" partition from another system?

Buddyz said:

Any other suggestions?

Click to expand...

You can clean install Windows 8.1 in Legacy BIOS boot mode.

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style). -> link

Hi again,

I'd prefer fixing the actual issue, instead of choosing the easy way. (Because that means I have to reinstall and reconfigure everything)
Is there really no other way that you can think of to solve this issue?
Either way, I'm always open for suggestions if anyone has any.

Would be helpful to see the disk layout and partition structure

KYHI said:

Would be helpful to see the disk layout and partition structure

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply.

Does the image below provide the information you requested?


If not, kindly provide more information how to get the requested information.

Edit:

Disk 0: Volume 1-2 (and I guess 3 too, since it's the hidden Recovery partition)
Disk 1: Volume 4-6