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  • Yes, the data is backed up. Oddly I can mount the drive fine and copy it to another without any problem at all.
    – ChrisGuest
    Commented May 2, 2016 at 13:38
  • Re: Activation Key. Does Microsoft match it to the computer by the MAC address or something?
    – ChrisGuest
    Commented May 2, 2016 at 13:39
  • I believe it matches it by reference to the motherboard itself. I have had issues before when swapping out fried motherboards and have had to contact Microsoft directly to get the COA to be accepted as Genuine. As long as you have the backup data then reinstalling Windows should not be a problem. If you want guidance with the process then let me know - I have done this with so many machines now it is almost second nature.
    – Matthew
    Commented May 3, 2016 at 7:57
  • If you can mount the drive fine then this all points to it being an issue with a recent update installation. I think best to bite the bullet and reinstall the OS. Run all Updates before you transfer your backup data tho because there is a chance the problem could be caused by a conflict between an update and a hardware driver.
    – Matthew
    Commented May 3, 2016 at 8:00
  • Nothing in this answer is applicable to the issue experienced by the OP, nor is any of the information correct to the issue experienced... The correct utility to use for boot issues is BootRec, which is contained within all WinPE/WinRE images.
    – JW0914
    Commented Sep 12, 2020 at 13:17