Applies ToWindows 7 Windows Server 2008 R2

Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

  • You attach a storage device that has more than four partitions to a computer that has the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) mode enabled.

  • You insert a Windows 7 or a Windows Server 2008 R2 installation DVD into a drive of the device, and then you start the computer from the DVD.

  • You receive the following message during the startup process, and then you press a key:

    Press any key to boot from CD/DVD

In this scenario, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Boot failed.

Cause

This issue occurs because the boot manager compares two device signatures incorrectly. These device signatures are the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) device signature that is in the extended boot record (EBR) and the device signature that is in the master boot record (MBR).

Resolution

To prevent this problem, integrate this hotfix into the Windows 7 installation media or into the Windows Server 2008 R2 installation media. Then, reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.To integrate this hotfix, first extract the contents of the hotfix. Then, replace the files in the \efi\microsoft\boot folder on the Windows installation media with the updated versions that were extracted. Note You cannot use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command line tool to integrate this hotfix because the updated files are not in the Install.wim file.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix. Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Registry information

To use the hotfix in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Cdboot.efi

6.1.7600.20754

440,320

13-Jul-2010

13:58

Not applicable

Cdboot_noprompt.efi

6.1.7600.20754

440,320

13-Jul-2010

13:58

Not applicable

Efisys.bin

Not applicable

1,474,560

13-Jul-2010

13:58

Not applicable

Efisys_noprompt.bin

Not applicable

1,474,560

13-Jul-2010

13:58

Not applicable

Workaround

To work around this issue, disconnect the device that has multiple partitions from the computer before you install Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Reconnect the drive after the installation is complete.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

More Information

This is one of two hotfixes that are required to fully address this issue. If you are experiencing this issue, you should also apply the fix that is documented in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

982929 "Boot failed" error when you start a UEFI-enabled computer from a Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 installation DVD (Package 1)

Reference resources

947024 How to create an ISO image for UEFI platforms for a Windows PE CD-ROM for Windows Server 2008 For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Steps to add the hotfix to an x64-bit version of installation media

You must have the Windows 7 or the Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) or OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) installed to create the installation media. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Copy the Windows installation DVD to your hard disk (C:\bin).

  2. Make the customizations as needed.

  3. Create a temporary folder C:\hotfix.

  4. Use the following command to extract the hotfix CAB file Windows6.1-KB2223832-x64.cab:

    expand Windows6.1-KB2223832-x64.cab –F:* c:\hotfix\Note This command extracts files to the C:\hotfix\efi\microsoft\boot folder.

  5. Copy the following files from the C:\hotfix\efi\microsoft\boot folder to the C:\bin\efi\microsoft\boot folder to replace the existing files:

    • Cdboot.efi

    • Cdboot_noprompt.efi

    • Efisys.bin

    • Efisys_noprompt.bin

    Note The Efisys.bin file is used with Oscdimg.exe to create the ISO image. To create the ISO image, you must have the Etfsboot.com file. The Etfsboot.com file is a part of the WAIK and the OEM OPK tools, and it is installed with these tools.

  6. Run the following command to create the ISO:

    Oscdimg -m -o -u2 -udfver102 -bootdata:2#p0,e,bC:\<path of the Etfsboot.com file under the Drive C>\etfsboot.com#pEF,e,bC:\hotfix\efi\microsoft\boot\efisys.bin C:\BIN C:\x64_2k8r2.iso For more information about how to create an ISO, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    947024 How to create an ISO image for UEFI platforms for a Windows PE CD-ROM for Windows Server 2008

  7. Burn C:\x64_2k8r2.iso to a DVD.

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