How to Fix Windows 8 Boot Error

When I was setting up my new Lenovo C440, Windows 8.1 refused to boot after a restore from ClonZilla. and complains about error in boot partition. It try to fix automatically but still fail to boot.

I can see my Windows partition but not sure what’s the problem. It was recovery by fixing master boot record (MBR), boot sector, and rebuild the boot configuration data (BCD).

If you have the same boot fail problem like me, try to fix them first.

Prepare Boot Disk or Drive to Windows Recovery Environment

You need a Windows 8 Installation Disk or a Windows Recovery Environment to boot your computer.

If you don’t have the Windows 8 Installation Disk, you may download a Windows 8.1 Enterprise trial from Microsoft and burn your DVD.

If you preferred to use a Flash drive, install it on a real computer or within a virtual environment. Then create a Windows Recovery Environment by launching the [Recovery] in [Control Panel]. Choose [Create a recovery drive] to create.

Create your Recovery Drive by Recovery in Control Panel in Windows 8.

Boot to Command Prompt

If you are using a Windows 8 Installation Disk, click on [Repair your computer] in the lower left corner when you see the [Install now] screen.

Continue with [Troubleshoot]→[Advanced options]→[Command Prompt]

For Windows Recovery Drive, your first screen is select your language which is different from above.

Continue with [Repair your computer]→[Troubleshoot]→[Advanced options]→[Command Prompt]

Fix Boot Partition, Master Boot Record, and Rebuild Boot Configuration Data

In command prompt, type following commands to fix:

bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /Fixboot
bootrec /rebuildBCD

• /FixMbr will write a Master Boot Record to the system partition without overwrite your existing partition table.
• /FixBoot writes a new boot sector to the system partition.
• /RebuildBcd scans all disks for Windows to build boot configuration data.

More detail about these parameters may be found in Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows.

Reference

1. ClonZilla
2. Lenovo C440
3. Microsoft: Support: Definition of System and Boot Partition
4. Microsoft: Support: Use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows
5. Microsoft: Windows 8.1
6. Microsoft: Windows: What are system partitions and boot partitions?
7. TechNet Evaluation Center: Download the Evaluation: Windows 8.1 Enterprise
8. Wiki: Boot sector
9. Wiki: Master boot record