unable to fix bootmgr error

[subaru]

Hello,

I created a backup partition on an external usb drive, and cloned my drive inside my laptop onto that external partition. I wanted to test the partition and so, I set that partition as active. Now when I boot, I cannot boot from either hd. I tried repair disk from the installation cd, tried command prompt bootrec/fixboot and bootrex/fixmbr, but neither worked. Even when I have the external hd unplugged, the same bootmgr is missing error. I set the internal hd to active using the command prompt, but no change.

This problem occured right after I set the external windows clone partition as an active partition.

Suggestions extremely appreciated. I'm really stuck. :/

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
If your system has the small 100MB or so system partition it's THAT partition that must be made active and the main "C" or Windows partition should be set to PRIMARY.

The system won't boot if the small usually called RESERVED partition is not the ACTIVE partition.

Use a stand alone bootable partition manager to alter the partition settings

Once you've done this the machine SHOULD boot -- if the system crashes then the recovery / repair from the Windows install disk will work.

The trick is that the small partition MUST be the ACTIVE one.

When cloning / imaging disks always IMAGE BOTH these partitions.

I usually install Windows in such a way that I don't have the small partition - but this involves copying all your data to anothjer drive, formatting the ENTIRE disk as a single partition, installing Windows and THEN re-sizing the partition and re-install your data -- but it's usually too much hassle to do this -- just remember to image both partitions.


Cheers
jimbo

 

[gregrocker]

You cannot boot Windows from an external HD by design - the USB controller is the bottleneck.

Remove the Active flag from external now: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums, or delete the useless Win7 partition on external.

Then unplug external, boot into System Recovery Options Command Line on Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk to mark Win7 or it's 100mb System Reserved partition (preferred if you have it) Active: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two).

Then run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts and it or 100mb partition hold the System Active boot flags.

In the future use Win7 backup imaging or free Macrium - Image your system.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

This will probably fail as if the small 100 MB system partition is not marked as ACTIVE the recovery disk will possibly give a message saying No OS version Found or won't find a Windows version to repair.

The Main W7 partition he has currently must be changed from ACTIVE to PRIMARY -- there's nothing wrong with the data he restored from the external USB.

If you simply change the "C" (Windows Partition) to Primary the Recovery disk will work just fine and re-create an active Boot partition for you in about 5 secs and you'll be on your way.

Use a bootable partition manager such as GPARTED or Magic Partition Manager to change the partition status.

You CAN remove the USB --it's not really necessary as your BIOS should give you the Boot order.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[subaru]

Thank you both for your help. I'm going to boot from the disk again, change the internal hd's 100mb partition to ACTIVE and it's main Windows partition to PRIMARY and see how things go. Is it alright if I don't use a bootable partition manager and instead do this via command prompt on the installation CD?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, follow these steps: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

Marking SysReserved Active may not be enough alone. You may need to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Win7 starts on its own and 100mb shows the System Active flags.

I'd also mark external Inactive or you may have problems when you plug it in.

 

[subaru]

I used GParted to set the Reserved partition of my internal HD to ACTIVE, and I'm now able to boot up again!

Thank you both very much! I really appreciate it.

I'll go create a disk image. Hopefully I won't run into this same problem again. >_<;

Thanks again!!!

 

[subaru]

Oops...double posting...