Missing Boot Manager can't be repaired – How to, please.

[Neophile]

Thank you very much for the feedback.

I just found SIW2's post. I'll do it soon, but I would like to ask if it wouldn't be better to delete all files on the Windows 7 root and also the BCD files in the Boot directory.

Let me tell you something not exactly related with this issue, but its undirect cause. Before XP there was nothing easier than working with the registry; we could even wipe it all in Regedit by just deleteing each hive, import a full backed one and reboot. After XP it became so difficult that I simplt gave up using registry backups. Now, I just use the registry for very little and simple trticks or replacing some sections with other previously saved settings that are long do set or else. That is why I used to make registry backups reguralarly but I don't have any now. I had already found the recommended tutorial. It is excellent, as Bare Foot Kid says, but I just can't use it without the *.reg files, and as Windows 7 doesn't boot I couldn't import the files with any of that ways if I had them. Like with many other things with Windows, changing the simple way we could manage the registry was very silly because there are other ways to protect the registry.

When SIW2 spoke about replacing the files, I remembered having read about that years ago, shortly after XP appeared, but didn't do anything as I just said. Reading him, I thought that following his guide lines I could do it without problem, but then I found that either three of the required files were missing or they were not necessary and I expected clarification before proceding.
I was just typing on Winword when tthe screen turned black, the computer suddently stopped responding and the red light stayed on, nothing changing after rebooting. I had to clear the BIOS to make it reboot, but Windows didn't even got to the logo. As I have over 100 programs installed and configured, reinstalling the OS means ove one month work.

It is easy to notice that the OS is very close to boot now, and any helping suggestion will be very welcome and tried out.

 

[Neophile]

I replaced the config files, I did the repair for three times with the DVD, and then tried to boot Windows 7, but no way, very disappointing.

The only diference is that after trying to start Win7 the config files that I had replaced and were dated form September 25 and August 8 (SAM only) were now dated with tomorrows date, November 1!

Anyway, it could be from here, but it doesn't seem. When I tried to repair with Win7 DVD the repair log kept mentioning the same old lines:

Root cause found:
Boot status indicates that the OS booted successfully. (Not true)
and
Root cause found:
Unexpected changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

Very disappointing.

 

[Lordbob75]

Alright, let me see if I can get some clarification here.

You are dual booting windows 7 and XP, with the XP drive as the boot drive (and the XP bootloader?).

Can you describe exactly what happens when you just try to boot normally?

~Lordbob

 

[gregrocker]

I think there are multiple points in your descriptions of attempted repairs - starting with using Vista Boot Pro which is so outdated the correct Windows 7 tool EasyBCD 2.0 is something like nine generations older - that missteps were made that cannot be undone now in the aggregate.

Had you asked for help before running these random assorted repairs we could have walked you through the standard repairs that will normally recover a Dual Boot that hasn't been jumbled too badly.

Now you are getting errors and results commonly seen when things have been hashed up too badly to repair.

Maybe SIW2, LordJim or someone else can think of something to try but I have given you the fixes which should repair it if is reparable, and cannot make much sense out of the rambling responses.

I would try to boot XP CD to see if you can do a Repair Install to salvage it, then boot it separately from reinstalled Win7 via BIOS. http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm Be sure to unplug it during Win7 reinstall.

 

[Neophile]

Lordbob


I know, this thread is getting too long because some people have been kind trying to help.



Here are some reults


- Startup Repair results (log)

Root cause found:
Boot status indicates that the OS booted successfully. (Not true)
and
Root cause found:
Unexpected changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

When booting normally, after the shrinking/growing logo it reboots right away. Does not finish booting.



Here are the snapshots


Disks

Disk ### . Status . .Size . . . . . . [Names I added]
----------- . -------- . ---------- . . .-------------------
Disk 0 . . . Online . . 112 GB . . . . Windows 7
Disk 1 . . . Online . . . 72 GB . . . . Backup
Disk 2 . . . Online . . 963 GB . . . . Windows XP & Base


Root Files (The files on each partition root.)

Disk 1 is a dead backup disk and doesn't have root files.

I don't know why both partitions of Disc 2 have system files when there is only one OS on the Disk. This is not so important, but I had the same configuration on the previous installation, less than six months ago, and only the partition with Win XP on its disk had system files. So I have three roots with OS files, but only two OSs!

------------------------ ------------------------

gregrocker


All the changes I have done were with that comctl32.dll file (I solved by replacing with the original from the DVD and the boot advance 5 seconds more), scannow was always refused by thye system, and there was the BCDedit and the BootRec.exe. I used also FixBoot and FixMBR. Could this have shredded the OS? After this, I followed other instructions on this thread for the config files, which unfortunately didn't work. This was all.

I was probably wrong on using Vista Boot Pro instead of EasyBCD, but it was the one I knew better.

I didn't quite understand your last paragraph, but if it is about repairing XP, it is running alright. It didn't boot once I did the Startup Repair on Win7, but I was more careful afterwards. My problem is with Windows 7 alone, where I have all my stuff. The XP partition is empty and only to peer over Win7 and also as a last resort to have access just like now.

I know you have done your best, and because talking about issues is not the same as handling the computer itself, I am sure you could hardly have helped any better. I am aware of this, and I can only thank everyone for the efort. I am trying now to salvage in another way.
​

 

[gregrocker]

Are your Win7 files accessible from XP?

If you need to rescue your files from Win7, you can copy them out using DVD or Repair CD with this method: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

If this fails, you can try to rescue both the Win7 partition (to repair it to startup) and/or the data within it using free Paragon Rescue CD.

 

[Lordbob75]

What happens if you unplug the backup and XP drive and boot?
What if you just plug in the XP drive?

As Greg says, can you see the files on the Seven drive with XP? If not, could you grab a Ubuntu live CD and look from there?
If you can get any information off of it, that would be good.

~Lordbob

 

[Neophile]

gregrocker

Every time I use the Win7 DVD (for the Win7 OS, of course) I have to load drivers because, as I have not enough motherboard sockets for my older drives (3 HDDs + CD + DVD = 5) I had to connect two HDDs through an adapter. Because of this I have to go through the Load drivers step, but I never thought it would be possible to use copy and paste there. That is a wonderful possibility and bews for me, and because we can also rename folders there, it makes Lordbob's tutorial about using Windows.old much easier. Thanks for the tip that I may well use if I can't repair the booting issue. I am awaiting for his opinion.

I take the opportunity to ask a question about installation, if you don't mind.

I have this configuration as you know:

Disk # . . Size . . . . . [Name] . . . . . . . . . . . [Mounted type]
-------- . ----------- . ---------- . . . . . . . . . . -------------------
Disk 0 . . 112 GB . . . Windows 7 . . . . . . . . .ATA on adapter
Disk 1 . . . 72 GB . . . Backup . . . No OS . . . ATA on adapter
Disk 2 . . 963 GB . . . Windows XP & Base . . SATA3 directly to MBoard

How do I keep the same configuration if I reinstall, but locate the MBR on Disk 0 instead of Disk 2 as it is now? Can this be done installing XP first or must I install Win7 before? (Disk 2 is the only one directly plugged to the motherboard, not through the adapter.)

 

[Neophile]

Lordbob

What happens if you unplug the backup and XP drive and boot?

After the shrinking/growing logo it reboots right away by itself. Does not finish booting. The Bacup (Disk 1) is a "dead drive" with no OS and no files on the root.

What if you just plug in the XP drive?

With either the XP alone or all drives plugged in it boots on XP correctly. This is as it became and stayed after the issue described on my first post.

As Greg says, can you see the files on the Seven drive with XP? If not, could you grab a Ubuntu live CD and look from there?
If you can get any information off of it, that would be good.

Yes, they are all there, I can see everything just as if all were normal and no issue. I can read and write on all disks (I have replaced the System32\config files on Win7 as suggested by SIW2). The only problem is the boot that doesn't complete.

 

[Lordbob75]

Lordbob

What happens if you unplug the backup and XP drive and boot?

After the shrinking/growing logo it reboots right away by itself. Does not finish booting. The Bacup (Disk 1) is a "dead drive" with no OS and no files on the root.

What if you just plug in the XP drive?

With either the XP alone or all drives plugged in it boots on XP correctly. This is as it became and stayed after the issue described on my first post.

As Greg says, can you see the files on the Seven drive with XP? If not, could you grab a Ubuntu live CD and look from there?
If you can get any information off of it, that would be good.

Yes, they are all there, I can see everything just as if all were normal and no issue. I can read and write on all disks (I have replaced the System32\config files on Win7 as suggested by SIW2). The only problem is the boot that doesn't complete.

Ah. Ok, at least we know sort of what the problem is.

Unfortunately, this would be very easy to fix with an upgrade install, but you want to keep your programs and settings.

Could you unplug all but the Seven hard drive, and then run startup repair?
Perhaps you could reinstall the bootloader onto the Seven harddrive?

~Lordbob

 

[Neophile]

Unfortunately, this would be very easy to fix with an upgrade install, but you want to keep your programs and settings.

I have over 120 programs installed. It will be a long and hard job reinstalling and customizing everything, one month or more. That is why I asked you if when doing as your tutorial the new installation would inherit this issue, because your way would save everything, and that is great.

Could you unplug all but the Seven hard drive, and then run startup repair?
Perhaps you could reinstall the bootloader onto the Seven harddrive?

Sorry, I've done exactly that before. I run Startup Repair three times with a reboot after each one. Here are the results (log):

Root cause found:
Boot status indicates that the OS booted successfully. (Not true)
and
Root cause found:
Unexpected changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

All other results on the log are Error = 0x0. When booting normally right after finishing the 3rd repair with the XP drive unplugged, it reboots immediately after the shrinking/growing logo. For me it looks like Startup Repair did install the bootloader, but it does not finish booting, and that is the problem.

 

[Lordbob75]

I have over 120 programs installed. It will be a long and hard job reinstalling and customizing everything, one month or more. That is why I asked you if when doing as your tutorial the new installation would inherit this issue, because your way would save everything, and that is great.

The problem is that an upgrade install would save all your data, but you would need to reinstall all the programs.

Sorry, I've done exactly that before. I run Startup Repair three times with a reboot after each one. Here are the results (log):

Root cause found:
Boot status indicates that the OS booted successfully. (Not true)
and
Root cause found:
Unexpected changes to system configuration might have caused the problem.

All other results on the log are Error = 0x0. When booting normally right after finishing the 3rd repair with the XP drive unplugged, it reboots immediately after the shrinking/growing logo. For me it looks like Startup Repair did install the bootloader, but it does not finish booting, and that is the problem.

But did you do that with JUST the windows 7 harddrive plugged in?

~Lordbob

 

[Neophile]

But did you do that with JUST the windows 7 harddrive plugged in?

Yes, the drive with the XP is the SATA3, the one direcly connected to the board, with the small SATA plug, very easy to desconnect. I did not disconnect Disk 1 because, as I said, it is a "dead drive" with no OS, no root files; it is a dead weight. It does boot, but reboots just after the logo, when the blue "Please wait" screen should appear.

The problem is that an upgrade install would save all your data, but you would need to reinstall all the programs.

If I could enter the OS and atarted the installation from there I could chose the "Upgrade", and it would be like a hot fix keeping everuthing.

 

[Lordbob75]

The problem is that an upgrade install would save all your data, but you would need to reinstall all the programs.

If I could enter the OS and atarted the installation from there I could chose the "Upgrade", and it would be like a hot fix keeping everuthing.

No. You should be able to run the upgrade install from the CD without being in Windows.
It still would not keep your programs though. You would HAVE to reinstall them all.

~Lordbob

 

[Neophile]

When I start the computer directly from the Windows installation disc, the Upgrade option on the upper part of the window states that the Upgrade that keeps all files, settings and programs "is only available when an existing version of Windows is running". If I go on and click on Upgrade, the next window tels me that opion is not available, and to restart, take the disc out of the computer, start Windows normally and then start the Installation disc. As you know, my problem is exactly because the OS doesn't finish booting, so I can't do what is recommended. Is there a way to turn around this? If there is, please tell me how.

 

[gregrocker]

But did you do that with JUST the windows 7 harddrive plugged in?

Yes, the drive with the XP is the SATA3, the one direcly connected to the board, with the small SATA plug, very easy to desconnect. I did not disconnect Disk 1 because, as I said, it is a "dead drive" with no OS, no root files; it is a dead weight. It does boot, but reboots just after the logo, when the blue "Please wait" screen should appear.

I asked you to unplug all other HD's to try Startup Repair, not leave one plugged in because it is only a "dead drive with no OS" although "it does boot...."

Did you also ignore the repeated requests to set Win7 HD as first to boot in BIOS setup?

Try actually unplugging all other HD's to run the Repairs.

Then try again with Win7 HD plugged into your SATA 3 port, also set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, since this is the SATA controller booting your System drive.

Next turn around and plug only the XP HD with System drive into DISK0 position to see how it boots there. If so, plug Win7 HD into DISK1 and see what happens.

 

[Neophile]

Thank you very much for the continued help.

Then try again with Windows 7 HD plugged into your SATA 3 port, also set as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, since this is the SATA controller booting your System drive.

I can't do this because Windows 7 is in an ATA disk not connectable to a SATA port as you can see on the list below. Any other way, please?

Disk # . . . . Size . . . . . . Type . . . .[Names]
------- . . . . -------- . . . .------- . . .--------------------------------
Disk 0 . . . . 112 GB . . . . ATA . . . . Windows 7
Disk 1 . . . . . 72 GB . . . . ATA . . . . Backup (No OS, no root files)
Disk 2 . . . . 963 GB . . . . SATA . . . Windows XP & Basic

 

[gregrocker]

Did you try running Startup Repair x3 on Disk0 with all other HD's unplugged?

 

[Neophile]

Not yet. I was waiting for you instruction to do it in a sequence without plugguing the disk with XP where I have to come to read your post.

 

[Neophile]

gregrocker,

Can you clarify my doubt on my preceding post, please?


Edit:
Sorry, I missed your answer because there was a page change and I kept waiting in here. I am going to tey now,