Solved Missing BOOTMGR

[sazr]

Hi,

I reinstalled Windows 7 (x64) a couple of weeks ago. After a couple of days, during a normal boot up, I got this message (see title). Following the instructions I found on some site, I ran "bootrec /fixboot" and it solved my problem.

Yesterday, I was watching a video on YouTube.com, and the computer froze! I used the reset button, and upon boot up I got this message again. I went into Windows' installation CD again, ran "bootrec /fixboot", rebooted, and still got the error!

I can't try the "automatic repair" feature because when I select my installation, I get an error: "System Recovery Option is not compatible with the version of windows you are trying to repair".

I've tried:
- bootrec /FixMbr
- bootrec /FixBoot
- bootrec /RebuildBcd

All without success. Note that when I run "bootrec /RebuildBcd" for the first time, it detects 0 Windows installations, so I do this:
1) bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
2) ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
3) bootrec /rebuildbcd

And the second time it runs, it my Windows installation, and I add it to the BCD store. However, if I execute "bootrec /rebuildbcd" for a third time, immediately after, it already does not detect any Windows installation...

I hope someone can help me out, I know my way around computers, but not really around Windows (mostly Linux, and some Mac), so I'm really lost when it comes to Windows' lower levels...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Saltgrass]

Just for clarity..you insert and boot to the Windows 7 Install DVD and get ....?

If you get the "Not Compatible" message, try getting into a boot device menu and see if a UEFI version of your DVD drive is listed. If you can't get into a Boot Device menu, you may be able to go to the bios and set it there, then save and reset. If you were using the wrong bit version (32 or 64) it might give the same type of error.

If you don't have a Windows 7 Install DVD, what CD are you referring to, the repair CD?

But it sounds like something is corrupting your boot. Possible virus, or hard drive/driver/controller problem.

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

Make a System Repair Disc - Create.

Make sure Win7 HD is set first to boot in BIOS setup.

Trigger disk to boot using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at boot.

If Startup Repair fails to fix it, then work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

 

[sazr]

Just for clarity..you insert and boot to the Windows 7 Install DVD and get ....?

If you get the "Not Compatible" message, try getting into a boot device menu and see if a UEFI version of your DVD drive is listed. If you can't get into a Boot Device menu, you may be able to go to the bios and set it there, then save and reset. If you were using the wrong bit version (32 or 64) it might give the same type of error.

If you don't have a Windows 7 Install DVD, what CD are you referring to, the repair CD?

But it sounds like something is corrupting your boot. Possible virus, or hard drive/driver/controller problem.

I do have a Windows 7 install DVD, that's how I've been running the commands. I just can't use automatic repair, so I have to use the console.

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

Make a System Repair Disc - Create.

Make sure Win7 HD is set first to boot in BIOS setup.

Trigger disk to boot using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key at boot.

If Startup Repair fails to fix it, then work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

I can't boot into Windows...

 

[Saltgrass]

Well, I have to ask, why can't you use the Startup Repair?

 

[sazr]

Well, I have to ask, why can't you use the Startup Repair?

I can't try the "automatic repair" feature because when I select my installation, I get an error: "System Recovery Option is not compatible with the version of windows you are trying to repair".

don't know why

 

[gregrocker]

This is why I said to burn the latest Repair CD, since the error typically means your disk doesn't have SP1 while your OS does.

If that fails, burn the latest installer to DVD or write to bootable flash stick from Step 5 in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot

But address Saltgrass's questions below first:

 

[Saltgrass]

I can't try the "automatic repair" feature because when I select my installation, I get an error: "System Recovery Option is not compatible with the version of windows you are trying to repair".

I asked about this in my first post and you ignored the question. The reasons you may see a compatible message are that you are running a different bit version of the OS, or you are trying to use a MBR version to repair a UEFI version.

So, again I will ask, if you use the Boot Device F key, or go into the bios, do you show a UEFI version of the Install DVD, or just the basic DVD.

If you have a UEFI install, the MBR will not fix it. If you have a MBR install, the UEFI will not fix it. Let use know, please.

 

[sazr]

About the UEFI version, I don't know, I just see the basic DVD. I tried the repair DVD, it worked, thanks!