Another Bootmgr is missing thread

[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 Win7? 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 Win7 boot partition has lost it's Active flag. Make sure the 100mb System Reserved boot partition (preferred) or the Win7 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]

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 W7 .iso and attempting to create a bootable USB... about to give it the ol' college try.

 

[gregrocker]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Rance]

Ended in failure...

i'm trying to do these things like create an bootable usb while using ubuntu, things arn't working out...

..but then again I did not do a full hard drive wipe...

However, I shouldn't be getting the same bootmgr is missing from a boot .iso should I? Maybe I got a bad and/or old .iso file.

Is there any place where I can get a proper windows 7 .iso file or a replacement disc... like any manufacturers or maybe microsoft themselves provide one? I mean if that kind of info is considered OK to give out.. if not then i'll try to track down one.

EDIT: It was the USB key fault, it was formatted to NTFS format as I was following a guide on making bootable USB in Ubuntu.

 

[gregrocker]

You may need to format the stick on another machine. Easiest method I've found is Ultra ISO trial version: On file tab open ISO or DVD, on Bootable Tab Write Disk Image, Format, Write. Boot under USB or HD's.

 

[Rance]

Ah yes, looks like I got my Windows 7 back

...and there is much rejoicing!

Now i'm on the Dell site, getting the drivers and downloads that came with... was curious what drivers would I actually need and which ones I can do with out:

 

[gregrocker]

Win7 installer is mostly driver-complete with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates when yuo enable Hardware auto-updating: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware

So I would not change out any drivers unless performance dictates doing so.

Any drivers missing in Device Manager can be imported from the Support Downloads webpage for your Dell service tag or the device itself.

 

[Rance]

Oh, another question when it comes to the drivers, is there a good way of telling what I already have and what I still need to get? Like a recently installed list of sorts?

 

[gregrocker]

As stated check in Device Manager for any missing drivers. Watch for newer to arrive in optional Windows Updates.

If you want to compare the installed drivers to the most recent on the Support Downloads webpage for your computer or device model, this is fine but be prepared to Roll it back on Device Driver tab if it causes difficulties. This is why it's suggested to go with the installer/optional Updates drivers because except in rare circumstances they are kept current.

Driver Install - Device Manager - Windows 7 Forums