[Rance]

So I have this Bootmgr is missing error when the computer tries to start Windows 7, and I don't have the slightest idea on what to do to solve this, because the OS (was a 64-bit btw) came pre-installed on my computer so I do not have a disc.

What happen was that about a week ago I got this issue where I was getting rapid BSoD on every boot mode available. So I did some reading and research on solving it and I guess one of the fixes involved fixing the boot file but the result was the Bootmgr is missing error. I've tried many things, including "Restore to Factory Settings". The first time, didn't work, I was still getting the BSoD, so I tried a few things to try to solve it, and I guess I must of botched something somewhere because now I don't even get the windows is loading screen, it just goes right into the "Bootmgr is missing" text.



Now i'm running Ubuntu off a USB key and I can see in the OS folder of all the files I would have if I ran Windows. Is there a way that I can some how restore Windows back to functioning like it normally should? Or is the only solution at this point is to purchase the full version of the OS

[gregrocker]

Why would you buy another copy of Windows 7? You own a $100+ OEM license for the life of that machine.

You only have to find an installer to reinstall with the Product Key on the COA sticker - a much better install BTW than the bloated factory preinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

Or run Factory Recovery from the disks (if you made them) or from the Recovery partition if you have one - we can help with the steps if you tell us your make/model. You can also order the Recovery disks from manufacturer.

First however let's try to repair your current install. Burn to CD a Win7 Repair CD, boot it, accept any offered Repair. If it doesn't start up then boot back in to Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times.

If it won't repair it may be that your Windows 7 boot partition has lost it's Active flag. Make sure the 100mb System Reserved boot partition (preferred) or the Windows 7 partition itself are marked Active by following these steps: Partition - Mark as Active - Windows 7 Forums.

You can also use free Partition Wizard bootable CD to mark Active and post back a camera snap of your full drive map with listings. Then try to Rebuild MBR from the Disk tab which may preclude the need for Startup Repair x3.

[Ztruker]

If running repair 3 times doesn't help, what didn't work when you tried "Restore to Factory Settings"? That should put you back to the day the computer was purchased.

[Rance]

Oh thank you for the response and advice!

Few things first to gregrocker:
LOL @ the whole COA Sticker idea, I don't know why that did not think of that at all at this point, I guess panic set in too much </embarrassed>

Now when I tried to do the start up repair though diskpart, the first two steps go on fine but when I tell it to list the partition, I get the message

"There are no partitions on this disk to show."

I get the feeling that may be a problem, no?


And to Ztrucker:
I think Restore to Factory settings failed the first time because of what i think was a rootkit virus that infected one of the system files and the 2nd time could be because the whole restore process got botched due to me hitting the switch to my power strip by accident


But back to gregrocker:
You mention that all I need is an installer... basically, I could just barrow the seven disk from a friend as long as its the same edition that I have and I can get what I need from it as long as I use the product key on the COA?

[Shootist]

   Quote: Originally Posted by Rance

Oh thank you for the response and advice!


Now when I tried to do the start up repair though diskpart, the first two steps go on fine but when I tell it to list the partition, I get the message

"There are no partitions on this disk to show."

I get the feeling that may be a problem, no?


And to Ztrucker:
I think Restore to Factory settings failed the first time because of what i think was a rootkit virus that infected one of the system files and the 2nd time could be because the whole restore process got botched due to me hitting the switch to my power strip by accident


But back to gregrocker:
You mention that all I need is an installer... basically, I could just barrow the seven disk from a friend as long as its the same edition that I have and I can get what I need from it as long as I use the product key on the COA?

Yeah turning the power off during a factory reinstall/reset, or any install reinstall, could/should/would cause the drive to have no partitions no operating system no nothing.

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Rance, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look through this information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

[gregrocker]

Did you read the link I provided for getting a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM? Reinstalling Windows 7

Because if you did you would know you can unlock all versions in any retail installer by extracting the ISO using ImgBurn, running the Ei.cfg Removal Utility, then burning an all-versions DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify.

Or you can write installer to flash stick using UltraISO trial version: on File tab Open DVD, click on Sources folder, find ei.cfg file to rightclick>Delete, on Bootable tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's.

Please read over the steps for perfect factory OEM reinstall to ask back any questions.

[Rance]

Hi, I am a bit confused on something... obtaining an installer?

Do you mean like, maybe borrowing a copy of Windows 7 installation disc (or acquiring an ISO of it) and using my COA info to install it?

[SIW2]

Yes, that's what he meant.

[Rance]

Hello! Back again, I finally got the proper Windows 7 .iso and attempting to create a bootable USB... about to give it the ol' college try.