Windows 7: BOOTMGR is Missing

At first glance this may seem like a simple bootmgr issue. Run Startup Repair with a Windows install disc, use bootrec.exe, etc. But these don't work. Startup Repair complains that its version is not compatible with the version of the Windows installed. I do not know why, but here is how I got here. I am preferably looking for a way that does not require a download of over 25MB (we have a low bandwidth cap). I am also in possession of multiple Linux LiveCDs (Linux Mint 12, Ubuntu 11.10, ArchBang, Fedora 15) if they are of any use.

Computer Specs

• Intel Core i5-750 Processor
• Gigabyte P55A-UD3 Rev 1.0 (Bios version F11)
• 4GB (2x2GB) G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1333 RAM
• 2 x 500GB Western Digital Caviar Black
• LG GH-22LS50 DVD Burner/Reader

Step 1
I had an empty 500GB hard drive. Used the Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 disc to partition it into 3 partitions (4 if you count the automatically-created System Reserved partition) - A 200GB for Windows 7, a 275GB for Data, and a 25GB Restore partition.

Step 2
Home Premium SP1 installs without a hitch. When it asks for the serial I enter a genuine serial but uncheck the box that says "activate Windows 7 when I'm online" (I'll tell why in the next step). Computer restarts and loads the desktop.

Step 3
I install VLC, MSE, Chrome, the ATI Drivers, and a couple other things from the Lifehacker Ninite pack. Here I run Windows Anytime Upgrade and upgrade to Professional. The last two times I had installed Windows 7 from my Professional disc it would always give an error when trying upgrade to SP1 and the solutions did not work at all. That's why I used the Home Premium SP1 disc to install. I restart and am greeted to a fully-working Windows 7 install.

Step 4
This is probably trivial, but I'll include it anyway. Chrome Beta acted up by forgetting where its icon was, and two uninstalls and reinstalls didn't fix it. I googled it and found a solution that required you to uninstall Chrome, restart, then install it again. I said why not and followed the first two steps. My computer restarted, and I was greeted by this error: Step 5
I had experienced this once before and knew to run startup repair. So I insert my Professional disc. I pick my keyboard type, then click on "Repair this computer". Startup Repair complains that it is not compatible with this install. Thinking this was because of SP1, I try to load Startup Repair with my Home Premium SP1 disc. Same error.

See how you go using the repair command prompt.

MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

I can't even get to Windows Startup Repair, as stated in the original post. This leaves out anything that requires command prompt, system restore, or automatic startup repair.

Would installing Windows on another partition then using the new Windows' command prompt to repair the original Windows' Master Boot Record then formatting the new Windows' drive help?

Did you try using the F8 System Recovery Options?

Make sure Win7 is still marked Active then run Startup REpair repeatedly.

Have you tried install using Professional with SP1 DVD since you said installing SP1 caused problems? I would get Pro install sorted to avoid compatibility issues with Repair from DVD.

If Chrome beta destroyed your boot, I would avoid it like the spyware plague that Google software has become, tracking your shopping habits then pasting ads everywhere you go like creepy Big Brother. Use the stable Google search bar built into Firefox or IE9 which won't allow them to spy.

I do not have a Pro + SP1 DVD, only a Home Premium + SP1 and a Pro (without SP1). Computer is custom-built, so no OEM system recovery. As mentioned in original post I cannot get system repair going with the installation media I currently have.

I will take your advice and install Firefox 10.0b2 as soon as my system works again.

Here is a detail I left out in the original post:
The other 500GB hard drive has Mac OS X Lion on it (Hackintosh) and I use its boot manager to get into my Windows partition. Booting straight from the Windows drive and using the default Windows boot manager also gave me the BOOTMGR problem.

It is interesting to note that the maximum trouble during booting takes place in dual-boot and multi-boot computers.

Why not create a Windows 7 DVD slip streamed with SP1 that has been downloaded separately and then re-install Windows 7 Pro? The procedure to create a slip-streamed DVD is given in the Tutorials at "Windows 7 Forums > Windows 7 help and support > Tutorials » Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 into a Installation DVD or ISO File" and is not very difficult to follow.

I think it shall put an end to all your problems in the future.

I had also asked you about using the Repair console which is often on the F8 Advanced Boot Options.

I'd unplug the other HD during any repair or reinstall. Boot your choice of OS/HD via the BIOS boot order or one-time BIOS Boot menu key to avoid any other OS's boot manager interfering with Win7.

Here is the ISO for Pro with SP1. Use the tool to burn to DVD or write to stick to use for Repairs as the lack of SP1 is likely what's generating the error, plus installing Home Premium then Anytime Upgrading to Pro is a unnecessary trouble.
Win7 Professional w/SP1 x64 English Official ISO Download
Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

Adapt these tips to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

Unhook all disks except the one with Win 7 on it and then try to repair the MBR.

I'm very sorry to have wasted your time on an issue as small as this.
The solution seemed to be to boot from the "System Reserved" partition instead of the Windows 7 partition.

The other times I had installed Windows 7 the System Reserved partition was not created for reasons unknown so I had happily booted from the drive I had selected in the installer.

Is the System reserved partition on another HD? Why was it that it wasn't being booted?

If you'll post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map we can look it over for you. Use the Snipping Tool in Start menu.