new hdd won't install Windows 7 bootmgr missing

[Constantine76]

A few weeks ago (yes weeks) I turned on my computer and was given a small message, something to the effect of "hard drive not found" after several failed attempts to repair the problem a new msg appeared upon restart, "bootmgr missing."

I bought a new HDD with the exact same specs as the old one and attempted to install Windows 7 professional 64 bit from an installation DVD. At the second stage of the installation process, "expanding windows files" after running about an hour or more the following error code: 0x80070017 pops up and the installation fails.

If I start up the computer without the installation CD, I still receive the missing bootmgr error. Thinking this is the cause for the failed install, I've tried to repair the bootmgr. Using the installation CD and clicking on Repair Your Computer, I can get to the System Recovery Option screen and select Command prompt where I have used bootrec, bootsect, I have cleaned, formatted and activated a partition. Basically, any fix listed when you Google Bootmgr missing, I've tried. Though I am somewhat restricted in what solutions I can try because the new HDD has no pre-installed OS.

Is the missing bootmgr the reason for OS installation failure? How can I fix the bootmgr when everytime I run a fix in the command prompt, it indicates operation successful, yet the bootmgr is still missing and Windows 7 fails to install?

 

[dsperber]

Maybe you have a genuine hardware failure on the motherboard, and/or SATA controller?

Sounds like you have issues reading/writing to HD, first the old original and now the new one. Gotta be a hardware failure in the notebook itself, in my opinion.

 

[gregrocker]

You'll always get Bootmgr is Missing when trying to boot a HD which hasn't completed Win7 installation yet, or in situations where the BIOS Boot Priority order has changed. So you'll need to complete the new install ignoring that error, and I'd also be sure to test the old hard drive if you haven't already with the maker's HD Diagnostic because it may still be fine but just wasn't set as Primary HD and/or First HD to boot.

To proceed with installation work through the steps to Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Constantine76]

Gregrocker- thanks for posting a reply, I checked out the link you posted and followed the suggested steps. Since the hard drive is new and basically empty I had nothing to back up, so I moved on. I could not find anything remotely similar that would allow me to "set SATA controller to AHCI" so I skipped that step. I set the Hard Drive to boot first and followed the steps you listed under "DISKPART" section. Then booted up the install disk and then installed Windows 7 to the partition I created.

When the installation reached the expanding files section, again, I got the error 0x80070017. I checked your troubleshooting guide, but still could not figure out a way around the error. I am still a novice at "tech speak" so perhaps I misunderstood the best way to get around it. Can you elaborate a bit? Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

The error often is caused by bad installation media. Where did you get the Win7 installation media, how is it burned or written to stick?

Do you have an EFI BIOS? Look in BIOS setup for settings related to CSM, Legacy BIOS, Secure Boot or any other EFI or UEFI settings.