BOOTMGR is missing//using LILO

[Redmage913]

Hey there,

I have a rather complicated problem with a probably simple solution. I used to have a tri-boot machine - my first primary partition was WinXP Pro, second was a Xubuntu installation with swap on an extended partition, and finally a Win7 Pro primary partition.

I deleted WinXP Pro and Xubuntu to create my very first Gentoo Linux installation. While that went well, I accidentally broke my Win7 startup. It's listed just fine under LILO (unless I listed it improperly) but Win7's BOOTMGR is now missing. I'm assuming the BOOTMGR might have been part of the WinXP installation.

I went to this guide: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/104341-bootmgr-missing-fix.html

However, I don't want to replace the MBR. I just want to reinstall the BOOTMGR onto the Win7 Pro partition so I can boot both Gentoo and Win7 properly. Of course, I might be misinterpreting where the BOOTMGR is normally located.

Any suggestions?

Thanks much,
--Red

 

[Shadowjk]

First of all you are going to need to Create a System repair disk or you can use your Windows 7 Installation Disk

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

First thing is to Boot into the Disk

   Note

You will need to make sure your BIOS is set to Boot from CD/DVD

After that Access to the System Recovery options

Please follow Option 2

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

Now you open up a command Prompt Window then enter the Following commands:

bootrec.exe /Fixboot

Press enter and then Enter this

bootrec.exe /Fixmbr

Press Enter

Now restart your Computer and see if you can boot into Windows 7

   Tip

Plug in your AC Power cord if you are using a Laptop

Hope This Helps,
Josh

 

[Redmage913]

Before I do this, won't that break LILO?

 

[Shadowjk]

Most likely but since this is a Windows 7 Forum my main concern is getting your Windows 7 Partition working ... I am not a Linux expert so you may want to ask a Question about it on another forum

Josh

 

[GEWB]

I have a simple question: why not buy a second hard drive (use one for Linux and one for Windows) then boot via the BIOS boot manager? This is the easiest and safest method I've found.

Anyway, back to your question. So, XP is gone forever and the partition(s) reallocated somewhere else, correct? Also, you removed a previous distro of Linux, correct?

Now then, you originall had followed this installation order: XP installed > Linux installed > Win7 installed.

What boot manager did you use then, Win7, GRUB or LILO?

You asked if fixing the MBR will trash your current LILO - probably but so what? It's easy to recreate. But why? The Win7 boot manager is actually pretty good.

Try these linkd:

Windows no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

Modifying the Windows 7 boot loader with the Boot Configuration Data Editor tool | TechRepublic


Regards,
GEWB