Windows – Bootrec freezes – Do I need to reinstall

Just an additional comment in hopes I can help the next person trying to deal with boot issues... especially after an update.

The screenshot that Will put up there is from a Vista install disc. The Windows 2008 repair options did NOT include the "Startup Repair" option (oddly enough). So, on a whim, I decided to try a Vista install disc and, sure enough, the option was there and once I selected that option - my Windows Server 2008 server FINALLY booted again.

I have no idea why MS decided to include the option on Vista discs but not 2008 discs, but this is something worth trying if you are pulling your hair out like I was. All my attempts to do command line restores were useless... I would have never imagined that a Vista install CD would do the trick.

Try these general steps:

• Make another install of windows on the same disk on the same computer in a different partition. (Shrink your Windows partition and make a 30GB one, then install 7 in that.)
• Copy all of your boot files from the new install to the broken one using a Linux LiveCD (I would recommend Ubuntu as it comes with GParted, software which will allow you to do the aforementioned partitioning changes)
• Select your old 7 install from the boot menu and see if it works. If it does, delete the new partition and run startup repair.
• If it doesn't doesn't, consider using a Linux LiveCD (I prefer Ubuntu, a very user-friendly distro) to copy your data over to a new install of Windows, either disk-to-external-media-and-back-to-disk or just into a new Windows partition.