BOOTMGR Missing

Eggman76 · 30 Dec 2012

Hi

My laptop has today developed an issue when booting up. At boot I got the message that the Bootmgr is missing. I located this thread on the forum:

Bootmgr is missing - Fix

And followed the various bootrec fixes. However following the bootrec /rebuildbcd command I got a message

"add installation to boot list? yes<y>/No<N>/All<A>"

I selected yes and got a response:

"The requested system device cannot be found".

I tried to restart the laptop but still getting the BOOTMGR is missing message. Any ideas on what has happened and how to fix it?

Thanks

IoNGeNeRaL · 30 Dec 2012

I'd suggest never having system files visible (if they are) in the Local Disk, and never save files in the root of the Local Disk either. If you have access to another computer with the same Operating System, disconnect your Hard Drive (the one that has the issue) and connect it as a "Removable/Storage Device". By this I mean, make sure your secondary computer is logged into Windows, open up your chassis (case) and connect your Hard Disk into the SATA/SATAII/SATAIII port and allow Windows to discover the drive.

Once this has been done, you may try to "copy" (NEVER 'cut' and paste!). Copy the bootmgr file to your Hard Disk if possible. Note, you will need to go to Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View. Find "Hidden files and folders" and click "Show hidden files, folders and drives". Untick "Hide protected operating system files (recommended)" and click "OK". Now you should see your system files in your Hard Drive's Local Disk (C) path. Remember, make sure you copy and paste the bootmgr file to the other drive (the one you connected to your secondary computer), safely remove the drive and connect it back to your primary computer and attempt to boot it up.

Please reply back here with your result. :)

Eggman76 · 30 Dec 2012

Thanks for the response, haven't got access to another pc running w7

IoNGeNeRaL · 30 Dec 2012

Do you have a Windows installation disc at all that you can use?

Eggman76 · 31 Dec 2012

I managed to create a USB installation disc and this has repaired the boot issues. However windows is now extremely slow and unresponsive, even in safe mode. I have attempted to perform a upgrade/repair installation to fix w7 but I am now getting the error "windows cannot access the installation sources, verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart the installation."

I have read that it could be hdd issue and have performed the chkdsk \f command but no issues were found. Any ideas on what I can do? Computer is currently unusable.

IoNGeNeRaL · 31 Dec 2012

Using a USB installation on a USB pen doesn't always work, as the error you experienced says it's unable to access the sources. Is there anyone you know that has the same copy of Windows 7 you have? Perhaps you could ask a friend to borrow their disc for the installation.