Bootmgr is missing

11 Nov 2010

I know this is posted but my problem is a little different. I built a new computer and put windows 7 on a SSD. I also installed a 1TB drive and partioned it.

I set up too many account restrictions and it locked me out so I formatted both drives again and then did a clean install. I just wanted the SSD for the OS only, thats why I put the restrictions in.

Now, about every 2 months, I will get a bootmgr is missing. First time around I just threw in the towel after a couple of days and again, formatted the ssd and did a clean install. Lost all my data.

Two days ago, about 2 months from the last install, I get the same thing. I have tried start-up repair, which it can't do because it says it's offline in the expanded details. I tried all the fixboot.exe commands via the command prompt but it says "access is denied" or 0 files fixed. I'm not a DOS guy but I can bring up the C:dir but that's about it. I have tried the 7 ultimate disk over and over, I have unplugged a drive, all the drives, put in a different drive with 7 on it(works but doesn't have my data). I tried to copy the bootmgr from the disk. Nothing works.

Any clues? I validated windows but could this be the problem since it happens every couple of months? I briefly saw the SSD via a usb connection it showed 100mb unallocated and then the main partition but I can't get it to show up all the time. Sometimes, just says unallocated if I can even see it when I use the spare disk with 7 on it.

Is it a hard drive problem? Bad install? Is the hard drive eating windows? Any help would be appreciated. Would really like to get my quicken data back.

Thanks in advance.

By the way, I thought it was a little weird, when I went into the BIOS to change the boot order, it was showing the HP lazer printer as the 1st boot. I know I didn't set it up like that but I don't think it's the main the problem. I did change it back to DVD or HDD as needed. I did set it up in AChi but I have tried everything to fix.

gregrocker · 11 Nov 2010

When you reinstalled did you wipe the HD to clean the boot sector? SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

When you boot the DVD Repair console, does it find an installation to repair?

It would help to be able to look at your disk config. Can you burn and boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD to post back a camera snap of the full drive map and listings? Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

If not use this method to make sure Win7 partition or the 100mb System Reserved partition (if you have it) is marked Active, then run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to see if it will start. Partition - Mark as Active

You can Explore your files using PW CD, then copy out your files with the DVD using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

If these methods fail, looking at the PW snap will possibly reveal something. You can also try testing your memory with memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes, test the SSD with maker's full diag/repair CD scan, and reset the CMOS although these are not normally indicated for "bootmgr is missing."

whs · 11 Nov 2010

It is very possible that the MBR was setup on the first partition of your HDD if that is on Port0 or a lower number port than the SSD. I had that happen myself and ended up with a data partition as active partition. Then if you manipulate that partition which you think has nothing to do with the OS, the MBR can disappear- - Worth checking.
One way to avoid that is the plug the SSD to a lower port than the HDD.

11 Nov 2010

gregrocker said:

When you reinstalled did you wipe the HD to clean the boot sector? SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

When you boot the DVD Repair console, does it find an installation to repair?

It would help to be able to look at your disk config. Can you burn and boot free Partition Wizard bootable CD to post back a camera snap of the full drive map and listings? Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

If not use this method to make sure Win7 partition or the 100mb System Reserved partition (if you have it) is marked Active, then run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to see if it will start. Partition - Mark as Active

You can Explore your files using PW CD, then copy out your files with the DVD using this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

If these methods fail, looking at the PW snap will possibly reveal something. You can also try testing your memory with memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes, test the SSD with maker's full diag/repair CD scan, and reset the CMOS although these are not normally indicated for "bootmgr is missing."

Thanks.

I messed up when I re-installed windows 7. I didn't wipe the drive, I just reformatted it. Can I salvage it if I can recover the MBR?

gregrocker · 11 Nov 2010

Yes. Follow the steps I gave you and report back where requested.

12 Nov 2010

Ok, I went into diskparts and it no longer shows a partition. Via system recovery option, it shows 2 windows 7 ultimate(reco..., partition size 0mb, location unknown. Still trying to get pw running. Grabbed 2 disks to burn but of course the kids put movies on them and didn't mark as used.

Tried start-up repair again. No go. StartupRepair offline. problem sign#5 external media. Prob sign#7 corruptBootConfigData.

I know it's not what you asked, but while I wait for some disks to arrive, I thought I would post.

12 Nov 2010

OK, I got PW booted. It says bad disk for the ssd once I'm in the main program. Do you need to see more or is that the problem?

gregrocker · 12 Nov 2010

PW gives this error instead of showing a drive map, or is there a drive map for you to click on? If so, try running the Surface Test with both boxes checked.

If your SSD fails to show up, check in BIOS setup to see if it is listed, check the cables and connections.

Next burn to CD the SSD maker's diag/repair CD scan to run full scan. If your SSD is less than a year old, contact tech support to help you test, repair or replace it.

It's likely the restrictions and random commands messed up your Win7 beyond repair, but try one more time to get an installation showing to repair by running from Command Line bootrec.exe /fixmbr and bootrec.exe /fixboot. Highlight any installation shown and run Startup Repair repeatedly. Try running Startup Repair even if no installation shows up.

Once you resolve your SSD issue or replacement, we can help you get a perfect reinstall which you can then save an image of so you never have to reinstall again. Please use Parental Controls in the future to avoid messing up your OS with drive restrictions which straitjacket and ruin your Win7.

12 Nov 2010

It brings up the drive map but the only option it gives me is "modifty" under partition and then a couple under wizard. Nothing is available under disk.

12 Nov 2010

Thanks for the help. I'm done. RMA'ing the drive. Hope that was the problem. I have the machine running on a normal hard drive. I could see the ssd in the bios and all that but for some reason it didn't have the c: in dos or pw nor did it show any partitions and its a 64gb drive that was showing 56gb's free with 7 ultimate already on it - that strikes me as way too much free space. I tried all the fixboot and copy boot from the dvd, kept saying access denied.