"Bootmgr is missing" before I can install W7

I've decided to install Windows 7 on a machine without any other OS resident. The drive has been formatted to NTFS. When I insert the Win7 DVD, I get the "BOOTMGR is missing" message.

I did a bit of googling, and found out that this is actually a common problem with a fairly simple solution IF the OS is already installed. I found directions on how to make a system startup repair disk, but this requires the use of the OS in order to make the disk.

I'm wondering if there's a way to create this disk outside of the OS. From what I understand, this message is found with Vista as well. I do have a Vista machine, so I'm wondering if it would be possible to make the disk with the Vista machine and have it work with the Windows 7 one.

And I'm also wondering if, since Win7 is not yet installed on this machine, this repair disk will even do what I need, namely (I suppose) install bootmgr.

Any help would be most appreciated.

cooltouch said:

I've decided to install Windows 7 on a machine without any other OS resident. The drive has been formatted to NTFS. When I insert the Win7 DVD, I get the "BOOTMGR is missing" message.

I did a bit of googling, and found out that this is actually a common problem with a fairly simple solution IF the OS is already installed. I found directions on how to make a system startup repair disk, but this requires the use of the OS in order to make the disk.

I'm wondering if there's a way to create this disk outside of the OS. From what I understand, this message is found with Vista as well. I do have a Vista machine, so I'm wondering if it would be possible to make the disk with the Vista machine and have it work with the Windows 7 one.

And I'm also wondering if, since Win7 is not yet installed on this machine, this repair disk will even do what I need, namely (I suppose) install bootmgr.

Any help would be most appreciated.

First welcome to sevenforums.
Im wondering where you got the win 7 image from? and what you used to format the HD?

Waiting on more info
Ken

Hi,

See if this helps:

disable AHCI mode for your disk controller in the system BIOS. Typically the controller has to be changed from AHCI mode to "IDE" or "ATA" mode.

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I d/l'd the .iso file directly from Microsoft's website, and used the Linux utility GParted to partition and format the disk, and then checked the disk for formatting errors and set the "boot" flag also using GParted. I've used GParted to create and format ntfs partitions on my XP machine also, without issues.


Best,

Michael

Thanks for the response, SIW2. My mb's BIOS has no AHCI setting. IDE's all I got to choose from. The mb is an older MSI running a 1.2GHz Athlon. Good enough for this test drive was my reasoning.

Best,

Michael

You said that you had Win2000, so you might be able to do something with this:

How to Create an Emergency Repair Disk in Windows 2000

You could try installing from a usb drive.

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

ikilledkenny said:

You said that you had Win2000, so you might be able to do something with this:

How to Create an Emergency Repair Disk in Windows 2000

Actually, I have Win2000 on disk right now -- it used to be this machine's OS until I decided to try Win7.

SIW2 said:

You could try installing from a usb drive.

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

Thanks, but this mb doesn't have the "boot from usb" capability. Heck, I just bought a new mb for another system a week ago (an ASUS) and it doesn't even support "boot from usb".

I've updated my profile to include my system specs, if this might help you answer my problems.

Best,

Michael