Vista problem: bootmgr is missing

[Peño]

I've searched the forums and found similar problems but nothing matches my problem and I've tried all the suggestions in the threads. I've also Google'd.

Last night I installed Vista: Business 64-bit edition on a 250GB HDD. I also have a 500GB HDD (both brand new). I installed the OS fine on the 250GB HDD, installed the NVIDIA drivers and all was well. Then for some dumb reason I uninstalled the NVIDIA drivers and my PC wouldn't boot properly. So I unplugged the 250GB HDD and re-installed Vista on the 500GB HDD. It works fine, and I reformatted the 250GB HDD in Windows, via Computer Management. I then unplugged the 500GB HDD, wanting to re-install Vista on the 250GB HDD like originally planned but I get the "bootmgr is missing" message, even with the Vista DVD in the drive when booting up.

I've tried copying the files on the Vista DVD to the reformatted 250GB HDD, and that seemed to work and I got to installing Vista on it again (with the 500GB HDD unplugged) but halfway through installation I got an error (can't remember what it said exactly, but it wanted to restart - and it basically repeated the error when I did restart) I've also tried to use the Repair feature when booting up with the Vista DVD, but that doesn't work and I get an error also.

Anyone know what else I should try? I'm currently reformatting the 250GB HDD again through Computer Management and am going to try installing it again, but I doubt that will work. I don't see why it's looking for a 'bootmgr' file on what should be a fresh, formatted drive?

 

[csmager]

I get the "bootmgr is missing" message, even with the Vista DVD in the drive when booting up.

Make sure the BIOS is set to boot from CD/DVD first.

I've also tried to use the Repair feature when booting up with the Vista DVD, but that doesn't work and I get an error also.

You have to run this multiple times until it says it found no errors.

Anyone know what else I should try? I'm currently reformatting the 250GB HDD again through Computer Management and am going to try installing it again, but I doubt that will work. I don't see why it's looking for a 'bootmgr' file on what should be a fresh, formatted drive?

Formatting won't destroy the master boot record (MBR), which is what is most probably wrong. All I can think of is fdisk /mbr - or just keep re-running the Vista Startup Repair until it does it itself.

 

[Peño]

Argh, now Windows won't boot from the 500GB HDD. I tried to install Vista, via Vista (installed on my 500GB), to my 250GB HDD. It seemed to work. When it boots up Windows Boot Manager asks me which operating system I want to run and at this point my keyboard fails to respond (no idea why because it seems to work prior to this). So it automatically counts down til it selects the first copy which is installed on my 500GB HDD then I get the error:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
[list=1][*]Insert you Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
[*]Choose your language settings, and click "Next".
[*]Click "Repair your computer."[/list]
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Windows\system32\winload.exe

Status: 0xc000000e

Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.

Now I can't run Vista on either HDD's! I don't know what to do now, because I've seen no command prompt on boot. Help?

 

[csmager]

You really need to start from scratch here... Oh - and your keyboard won't work because it's USB. You either need a PS/2 one or to chance a BIOS setting to enable it in that sort of environment.

But what I would suggest is firstly making sure the BIOS is set to boot off the CD.

Then remove/unplug the 500Gb hard disc.

You now need a boot disc that can completely clear everything off the 250Gb drive - including the broken MBR record. Get the ultimate boot cd ( www.ultimatebootcd.com ) and either run one of the hard disc wiping tools (will take an age) or one of the partition tools (mbrtool) to erase the mbr only.

Then boot of the Vista DVD and pray.