# Winload.efi Repair Failure Investigation

## Issues Identified in Current Implementation

### 1. Standard Mode (Non-Brute Force) - Lines 1057-1075

**Problem**: Only does single `Copy-Item` attempt with basic `Test-Path` verification

**Issues**:
- No file size verification (file might be 0 bytes or corrupted)
- No retry logic if copy fails
- No alternative copy methods
- `Test-Path` can return false positives (file might exist but be unreadable)
- No verification that file is actually readable
- If copy appears to succeed but file isn't there, reports success anyway

**Code Flow**:
```powershell
Copy-Item -Path $winloadSourcePath -Destination $targetPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop
$actions += "Copied winload.efi to $targetPath"

# Set permissions on the new file
$icaclsOut = & icacls $targetPath /grant Administrators:F 2>&1

# Verify it exists now
if (Test-Path $targetPath) {
    $winloadExists = $true  # <-- PROBLEM: Only checks existence, not integrity
    $bootFilesPresent = $true
    $repairExecuted = $true
    $actions += "winload.efi repair successful"
}
```

**Why This Fails**:
- `Test-Path` can return `$true` even if file is 0 bytes
- File might exist but be corrupted
- File might exist but not be readable
- Permissions might not be set correctly
- Copy might have silently failed but `Test-Path` still returns true

### 2. No Post-Repair Verification

**Problem**: After repair completes, no final verification that winload.efi is actually present and working

**Issues**:
- Repair reports success but file might still be missing
- No check that file size matches source
- No check that file is readable
- No check that BCD actually points to the file

### 3. No Failure Guidance Document

**Problem**: When repair fails, user gets error message but no comprehensive guidance

**Issues**:
- User doesn't know what to do next
- No step-by-step manual repair guide
- No troubleshooting tips
- No alternative methods

## Root Causes

1. **Insufficient Verification**: Only `Test-Path` check, no integrity verification
2. **No Retry Logic**: Single attempt, if it fails, gives up
3. **Silent Failures**: Copy might appear to succeed but file isn't actually there
4. **No Post-Repair Check**: Doesn't verify final state after all repairs
5. **Poor Error Handling**: Doesn't provide actionable guidance on failure

## Solutions Needed

1. **Harden Standard Mode**: Add file size verification, retry logic, alternative methods
2. **Add Post-Repair Verification**: Always verify winload.efi is present and working after repair
3. **Create Comprehensive Guidance Document**: Full manual repair guide with troubleshooting
4. **Show Guidance on Failure**: Pop-up notepad with guidance when repair fails
5. **Better Error Reporting**: Detailed error messages with next steps
