Windows Vista bootup diagnostic

[gatorback]

Laptop: HP DV9640us Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista

I removed the OEM Vista platter drive removed from an and replaced with SSD. Win7 successfully installed on SSD \ laptop. Partimage (similar to ghost) backup saved. Attempted to clone Vista drive to SSD via "EZ Upgrade - Universal Hard Drive Upgrade" SSD drive did not boot.

Re-installed OEM drive (Vista) back into laptop and experienced same boot problem. SysrescueCD verified that drive is connected: was able to list files and directories on the drive.

==> What can be done to test the bootup process and narrow down (isolate) the boot problem?
==> Is there a good test for the boot sector?
==>Maybe there is a diagnostic that can output the results to a file for evaluation?

Gparted indicates the boot flag is checked.

Any links to articles would be appreciated. Thank you

[gernot]

There is no "windows boot test".
Get you a error message?
Is EZ Upgrade modifying the harddisk? I think the hd should boot.

You can boot a vista install CD into recovery console.
Then chkdsk,fixmbr,fixboot.

Gernot

[gatorback]

Hi Gernot,

Thank you for the good suggestions and questions:

Get you a error message?

No error message: when it boots, there is only a blinking cursor

Is EZ Upgrade modifying the harddisk?

I do not think it does.

I tried cloning to the SSD with both EZ Upgrade and Clonezilla (both LINUX distros) and I verified that files were transferred to the SSD. I suspect that the boot files are corrupted on the original drive. I tried to the original drive from a USB enclosure (box) and it would not boot. Perhaps the attempt to boot from a USB enclosure corrupted the sector.

[gernot]

Changed you the BIOS controller settings from IDE to AHCI?

Gernot

[markmarques]

I do not know if the original poster did solve the issue but recently I did have a similar problem and despite being able to check both HDD MBR and and PBR ( bootblock) Windowz still did not boot ...

A solution was to use the original Vista Install CD I made a "parallel" installation ( different Windowz directory ) boot correctly ...
Afterwards with SysrescueCd deleted the "fresh install" and renamed the previous one ...

It seems that file in the C: root dir became corrupted ...
I hope this helps someone