Another missing bootmgr (although slightly different)


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7
       #1

    Another missing bootmgr (although slightly different)


    EDIT: EDIT: correction, it's fixed again

    Ok, I have a problem, and I know exactly how I caused it, problem is. I don't know how to fix it. It will be a long read so I'll try to explain things chapter wise:

    Hardware/OS

    OS: Windows 7 Pro 32-bit
    Notebook model: HP Elitebook 8530w
    GPU: Nvidia Quadro FX 770M
    CPU: Intel Dual Core T9600
    RAM: 4gb
    Chipset: Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset ICH9M-Enhanced
    Harddrive: 1x SATA II 250GB (5400 rpm)


    The problem

    I can't boot my windows anymore, when I try to startup it fully loads the loading bar, then when it gets to the screen where it says "Starting windows" (or something) it freezes. I tried to fix it by using the menu I got when pressing esc during startup, which gives the missing bootmgr message. I tried solving it by using the Win7 Upgrade CD first, but it got stuck on loading exactly the same way as booting windows normally.

    Then I downloaded the Win7 32-bit recovery CD and burned it to a cd. Tried to boot it on the CD. It goes through the loading bar, then the screen turns black and freezes again.

    I only have 1 harddrive and only one OS installment, I'm reluctant to send back my notebook to HP since I need a fix ASAP (and 2 weeks obviously isn't) since this is also the pc I use for university stuff (assignments which have deadlines before that).

    One thing I did not try was installing an OS on an external harddrive and booting from that. I will try this later today


    How I (think I) caused it

    I installed a BIOS driver update which I downloaded from the HP support website. (NOTE: I did back up my BIOS before the update, but saved it on the OS harddrive and didn't know how to actually use the backup so I tried the following -> ) After I rebooted, my pc would not connect to the internet. I rebooted again, went to BIOS and used the "reset to factory defaults" option and voila, I got my problem.








    So, I'm pretty much out of options. I got my BIOS backup, but it's on the harddrive that will not boot. I could try to boot my pc from an external harddrive OS (and I know how to boot from different harddrives mind you) but I don't know how to fix the problem even if that would work.

    So, please help S.O.S. etc. etc.

    and preferably don't tell me to send the notebook to HP anyways since as I stated before, I need the notebook (or at least the files) before I'd get it back.

    Thanks in advance,
    -i1

    _______________________________________________________________________

    EDIT:
    The story continues

    During the process of restoring my internet I used system restore to go back to an earlier version (before it had any problem). However, the windows update gave a message that 13 important updates were to be installed (mostly ms office updates) and 1 optional, the optional one being a driver update for my wireless internet. I installed those updates, then restarted my pc when prompted, and I got back to square one, windows not booting, CD not booting. Tried solving it the way I did before (by starting over ethernet) and it didn't work.

    Also, as for Ken's suggestion, I'd rather not reset bios manually since I'm pretty sure it will void my warranty.


    EDIT2:
    Changes in the issue

    Also, I think the problem changed slightly, now everything gets stuck before it gets to the "windows is starting" screen. When I try to use the regular startup (or startup repair) the screen freezes showing the fully loaded loading bar.

    The CD gets past the loading bar, then shows the little flashing underscore ( _ <-this one), then goes to blackscreen.

    The only CD's I have are the upgrade cd which upgrades from vista to windows 7. The Windows 7 recovery CD I downloaded (vista was preinstalled). Both Windows 7 CD's don't work and I assumed the vista CD would be useless. I could download a new install CD for windows 7, but this obviously takes time and I doubt it works. Any ideas?


    EDIT3:

    FIXED AGAIN

    I fixed it this time by doing a hard reset thus clearing the ram. Basically this is Ken's (second post on this thread) suggestion without actually having to touch the internal hardware. On hp notebooks at least (probably also works on other notebooks) this means the following:

    1: Turn off pc
    2: Remove the battery and the power cord
    3: Hold down the power button for 20 seconds (this depletes any remaining power)
    4: Done

    For notebook users I'd recommend trying a hard reset first for every startup issue, since it's easy and safe.

    As for desktop users, you could try (minus removing the battery) but I doubt if it works. If it doesn't you can clear the RAM as suggested in the second post.
    Last edited by InnocentOne; 07 May 2010 at 02:10.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    InnocentOne said:
    Ok, I have a problem, and I know exactly how I caused it, problem is. I don't know how to fix it. It will be a long read so I'll try to explain things chapter wise:

    Hardware/OS

    OS: Windows 7 Pro 32-bit
    Notebook model: HP Elitebook 8530w
    GPU: Nvidia Quadro FX 770M
    CPU: Intel Dual Core T9600
    RAM: 4gb
    Chipset: Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset ICH9M-Enhanced
    Harddrive: 1x SATA II 250GB (5400 rpm)


    The problem

    I can't boot my windows anymore, when I try to startup it fully loads the loading bar, then when it gets to the screen where it says "Starting windows" (or something) it freezes. I tried to fix it by using the menu I got when pressing esc during startup, which gives the missing bootmgr message. I tried solving it by using the Win7 Upgrade CD first, but it got stuck on loading exactly the same way as booting windows normally.

    Then I downloaded the Win7 32-bit recovery CD and burned it to a cd. Tried to boot it on the CD. It goes through the loading bar, then the screen turns black and freezes again.

    I only have 1 harddrive and only one OS installment, I'm reluctant to send back my notebook to HP since I need a fix ASAP (and 2 weeks obviously isn't) since this is also the pc I use for university stuff (assignments which have deadlines before that).

    One thing I did not try was installing an OS on an external harddrive and booting from that. I will try this later today


    How I (think I) caused it

    I installed a BIOS driver update which I downloaded from the HP support website. (NOTE: I did back up my BIOS before the update, but saved it on the OS harddrive and didn't know how to actually use the backup so I tried the following -> ) After I rebooted, my pc would not connect to the internet. I rebooted again, went to BIOS and used the "reset to factory defaults" option and voila, I got my problem.








    So, I'm pretty much out of options. I got my BIOS backup, but it's on the harddrive that will not boot. I could try to boot my pc from an external harddrive OS (and I know how to boot from different harddrives mind you) but I don't know how to fix the problem even if that would work.

    So, please help S.O.S. etc. etc.

    and preferably don't tell me to send the notebook to HP anyways since as I stated before, I need the notebook (or at least the files) before I'd get it back.

    Thanks in advance,
    -i1

    Might want to pull the cmos battery and unplug it. might reset to factory.

    Good luck and let us know

    Ken
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    The problem is solved and I have no idea how. I turned off the pc this morning, when I came back from the university I tried to use the win7 recovery CD again, which did exaclty the same. Then I went to boot options menu and booted my pc over the ethernet (doesn't hurt to try I thought) then it gave the error message "windows is unable to boot" which gave me two options something along the lines of "search for repairs" and "start windows normally". I've seen this screen several times and it never worked, even so I still chose the first option and for some reason it did work this time.

    Anyways, the boot got fixed and I didn't touch bios since.



    On another note I also found out why I could not connect to the internet. On the devices manager it showed clones of most of my network devices (and some that were completely new) which had the regular names followed by winpkfilter miniport (e.g. "Intel(R) WiFi Link 5300 Winpkfilter Miniport" all of these new winpkfilter miniport devices showed the error message that the drivers were not up to date even though they were.

    I went to the wireless adapter properties and under the "This connection uses the following items:" header, it showed an item which was called something like "winpkfilter miniport" (I don't remember the exact name). I right clicked it and uninstalled, which gave me my net back.


    Anyways thanks a lot Ken for your thoughts and advice (I appreciate it even though I did not use it in the end) rep for your reply.


    EDIT:

    The problem is not fixed, it showed up again, see the original post for details.


    EDIT2:

    Fixed again, details in OP
    Last edited by InnocentOne; 07 May 2010 at 02:03.
      My Computer


 

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