Solved winload.exe file missing PLEASE HELP

I must have accidentally deleted my winload.exe file when trying to delete a failed inplace-upgrade setup!
Now the computer won't boot.:cry:

1.) Is there any chance to replace it? Startup repair from my vista dvd doesn't help nor does system restore. I tried to run sfc /scannow from a command prompt from my dvd, but got the message: WINDOWS RESOURCE PROTECTION COULD NOT PERFORM THE REQUIRED OPERATION. The command prompt is set to X: (boot). Should I change directory and try again and HOW???
I don't know anything about command prompts so I need very detailed instructions.

Is there anything else I should try?

2.) If there is no way to start my computer properly again is there a way to save my documents to an external disc? Of course I made a backup of the most important files, but I have a lot of photos etc. that I wouldn't like to lose.

PLEASE HELP!!!
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
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    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
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    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
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    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
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    NZXT Phantom 410
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Which file did you delete of the following?

C:\Windows\System32\Boot\winload.exe
C:\Windows\System32\winload.exe

Tom
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
Hmmm ... it says, to be exact, that I deleted
\$WINDOWS.~BT\Windows\system32\winload.exe
I probably deleted the whole folder ...

I'm sorry, I was sure at the time I only deleted folders related to that failed inplace upgrade ...

I hope you will find some solution!
Thank you for your help!
 

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My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
And whilst you're in ubuntu, you need to copy this file:

C:\Windows\System32\Boot\winload.exe

into this location:

C:\Windows\System32\winload.exe

Tom
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
And something else I remembered.

I did 2 things. I deleted the folders I thought related to the failed inplace upgrade
and
I deleted BCedit entry for what I thought was the failed setup (via easy BCedit)

If I deleted the right folders and the wrong entry ... would it cause the same problem?

It seems even more impossible than to delete a wrong file, but that would probably explain why Startup repair doesn't help. Or ...?

Is there a way to check that first?
 

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Did you copy the file like I instructed?

After you've done that, boot into the Windows disc, go to the repair menu, open command prompt. Do each of the following commands followed by pressing enter (one by one):

Code:
bootrec.exe /FixBoot
bootrec.exe /FixMBR
bootrec.exe /RebuildBCD

If this doesn't work, then a clean install is probably the best way to go about fixing your problem :(

Tom
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
With Ubuntu, your stuff can be saved, but programs must be reinstalled if you reinstall the OS. If Tom's suggestion does not work, you must reinstall. It is for situations like this that we tell people that they should have backed up the OS. A free program like Macrium Reflect would have backed up everything. After you are working, again, back up with Macrium.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

The clean install mentioned by Tom is not the inplace upgrade that you mentioned. Upgrades are notorious for problems.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Did you copy the file like I instructed?

After you've done that, boot into the Windows disc, go to the repair menu, open command prompt. Do each of the following commands followed by pressing enter (one by one):

Code:
bootrec.exe /FixBoot
bootrec.exe /FixMBR
bootrec.exe /RebuildBCD
If this doesn't work, then a clean install is probably the best way to go about fixing your problem :(

Tom

Hello,

I finally got the cd and everything ...
The trick with commands you suggested didn`t work ... it said something like it didn`t find any windows installations. :rolleyes: I suppose I`ll have to reinstall.

I still don`t like the idea ... and I`ll have to borrow an external drive to backup my files ...

@tom, @richc, thank you both very much for your help!!! (so far ...)
 

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You are very welcome
Sometimes, reinstalling is the best way to go.
Be sure to back up your stuff, if possible.
Be sure to do a clean install and not an upgrade.
I wish you luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Oh, something else again.
I just discovered that folder $windows.~bt contains "log files that are created when an upgrade fails".

(That should probably be a new thread but ...)
It seems I haven`t deleted the wrong folder.
That means I must have deleted the wrong BCD entry.
Is there a way to add a BCD entry?

Someday I`ll do a clean installation anyway ... just for the meanwhile ...
 

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