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Thread ID: 146043 2018-04-07 08:14:00 A trick which could save you a lot of trouble with Windows refusing to boot. mzee (3324) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1448235 2018-04-07 08:14:00 Yesterday I was given a Dell Laptop with Windows 10 Pro installed.
The problem was that no matter what was done it would not boot Windows. The diagnosis was a missing loader file, but everything seemed to be there.
Normally I would do a clean install, but in this case there was a lot of software with no backups, so I couldn't reinstall the software, so I did the following:-

* Made another partition and installed the same version of W10 in it.
* Installed EasyBSD and added the W10 on Ptn1 SDA1 shown as D in EasyBSD as default to the loader.
* Rebooted the computer and opened the original W10 in C. All working well.

I left the second installation in place as there is plenty of free space on the drive, and have set the loader to boot the default bypassing the menu.
I have also hidden the partition which showed as D.

I also made a backup with active@
mzee (3324)
1448236 2018-04-07 20:35:00 Not a bad Idea, I assume you meant EasyBCD ?
You can boot off install media and repair the boot loader though which sounds like it would have worked just based on your description.
Having a second bootable installation could be useful, but if the boot loader got corrupted again I think you could lose both copies.
dugimodo (138)
1448237 2018-04-08 08:35:00 Not a bad Idea, I assume you meant EasyBCD ?
You can boot off install media and repair the boot loader though which sounds like it would have worked just based on your description.
Having a second bootable installation could be useful, but if the boot loader got corrupted again I think you could lose both copies.

Yes it was EasyBCD. I tried using the Install repair but no luck, I also tried a boot repair program which usually works, but it advised a re-install. If it happened again I would use the backup which I have made :)
mzee (3324)
1448238 2018-04-08 09:08:00 Good on you for using that method, BUT ( theres always a but) :) The potential for failure is quite high. Whats going to happen when Windows upgrades - ?? You may find it fails.

Dells, (and all the other Manufactures) ALWAYS install various partitions ( normal installs dont have them) and they often WILL Fail. The EFI bootloader is different.

The method as instructed By Dell often Does work, just a simple few commands which the auto programs don't use to much success.

how-to-repair-the-efi-bootloader-on-a-gpt-hdd-for-windows-7-8-81-and-10-on-your-dell-pc (www.dell.com)

The fact that EasyBCD got it booting again , proves there was only some minor problem.
wainuitech (129)
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