Missing BootMGR and my peril.

[drinkdog]

So I booted up my Windows 7 computer this morning and was given the error 'Missing BootMGR', so I tried repairing my boot system with the windows 7 install CD, but it couldn't find any version of Windows to install, so I presume that it has been wiped one way or another. So I decided to reinstall Windows 7 and use a back-up to restore my files afterwards, but the Windows 7 install manager cannot locate any drives for me to install on.

I have tried creating some partitions (and to simply see if I could locate the problem) in a flash-disk version of Ubunutu, but it couldn't find any drives or partitions either.

Any way I can fix this?

 

[theog]

Boot up using the Startup disk CD or Windows 7 DVD. (not the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk) If you have a Netbook, you will need a CD/DVD drive.
Make sure no USB drives are plugged in.

Do a Strartup Repair:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

If you have not made your Startup Repair
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
Do you have a mate with Windows 7 & CD/DVD RW Drive, how could burn one off.

It may be worth Checking the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools first.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

Can you post your specs.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/22550-filling-out-system-specs.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/6936-dont-know-what-hardware-you-have.html
VistaForums SysInfo Tool - Vista Forums

 

[drinkdog]

I tried both the start-up repair and the start-up repair disc, but they weren't able to detect an OS to repair.

 

[iKeirNez]

I had this exact issue! I would recommend getting a professional to do it because when I tried to do it myself I messed it up even more and had to pay more! I got lucky, someone did it for £30.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

We are professionals!

 

[theog]

I had this exact issue! I would recommend getting a professional to do it because when I tried to do it myself I messed it up even more and had to pay more! I got lucky, someone did it for £30.

We are professionals!

I tried both the start-up repair and the start-up repair disc, but they weren't able to detect an OS to repair.

Use the Rebuild BCD in this tutorial:
How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows

 

[drinkdog]

I live in the UAE and heat IS a problem, and the ventilation system around my computer wasn't great, so maybe something just over-heated or melted?

I don't know, the thing is still under warranty so I may just turn it in and ask for a replacement (I have all my important files backed up out of habit).

 

[drinkdog]

I had this exact issue! I would recommend getting a professional to do it because when I tried to do it myself I messed it up even more and had to pay more! I got lucky, someone did it for £30.

Sorry for the double post, but do you remember what your 'professional' said?

 

[gregrocker]

It's entirely possible your HD or other hardware has gone south. See if you can boot the HD maker's diagnostics/Repair CD to run a full scan: HD Diagnostic

Follow Theog's tutorial to Rebuild MBR which can at least show an installation to Repair so you can run Startup Repair. Even if not, run Startup Repair from the Recovery Tools list anyway.

 

[iKeirNez]

I had this exact issue! I would recommend getting a professional to do it because when I tried to do it myself I messed it up even more and had to pay more! I got lucky, someone did it for £30.

Sorry for the double post, but do you remember what your 'professional' said?

He basically ran MHDD. Then once he had run that he reinstalled Windows 7 and the files where recovered at C:/Windows.old. What I think I should have said was that if you are like me and had no experience in this kind of situation.

 

[drinkdog]

Well, I'll give all of those a try but I have to be careful that I don't void my warranty, which is basically my back-up plan.

I think as said before, my HDD has just exploded (or something similar) so if I can't fix it by tomorrow morning I'll just turn it in, suck up my pride and ask for a refund/replacement.

Just a quick question, can you transfer backup/restore images across computers?

 

[theog]

Personal DATA, yes.

If you have a External HD, you could copy & paste your data.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html
than copy & paste your data to new install.