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BOOTMGR is missing. No CD Drive. F8 doesn't work.

Anonymous
2012-12-30T07:50:24+00:00

So I was trying to restore my 3 year old hp pavilion DM3 laptop to factory settings. I backed up all of my personal information yesterday and today I started the restore. Once I started restoring it all went fine until I reached 68% and then it froze. It came up with the error "Recovery Manager could not restore your computer using the factory image. Please contact HP support. Error code: 0xe0ef0003." and then I clicked "ok" the message closes and says "In most cases, restoring your hard disk will fix your problems." I then click finish and it restarted and then gave me the BOOTMGR is missing message. "Click CTRL-ALT-DELETE to restart." And once I restart it goes back to the same message.

Here is how I restored:

  1. Restart computer and press F11
  2. Click the second of three options:

A)Microsoft System Restore

----> B)System Recovery

C)Minimized Image Recovery

  1. Click the second of two options:

A)Back up your files first (recommended)

----> B)Recover without backing up your files

  1. It starts and goes fine until freezing at 68%

5)Error message:  0xe0ef0003 Restart. "BOOTMGR is missing" message.

I am just really confused. I also tried F2 and did a start up test and it says my Short DST failed. However, I feel like this may be a mistake because of the windows failure.

I also tried restarting and pressing F8 but it just continues to the "BOOT MGR is missing" screen, and if I continue pressing it, it starts to make a very loud, annoying beep that won't stop till I stop pressing F8.

Lastly I tried to use Minimized Image Recovery(C from above) and that runs all the way through and then starts to install stuff, however I have run it three times and I still get the "BOOT MGR is missing" message. I also tried Microsoft System Restore(A from above) and it says it has no restore points.

I have tried contacting hp support and I reached 'kevin' who I could barely understand and was trying to make me pay $149.

I have also read online about using a restore disk, but I have no CD drive.

Sorry for the lengthy message, if you have any questions please post and I will respond right away. Thank you for the help.

-Trevor

P.s. Windows 7 Home premium BTW

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-30T18:29:57+00:00

    Hi

    Thanks for contacting Microsoft Community.

    If you have the installation disk but no disk drive, you can try the following:

    Use a a third party ISO tool to make ISO image of the DVD. Use the Windows 7 DVD/USB tool (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help\_Win7\_usbdvd\_dwnTool) to copy the ISO image to USB pendrive. Now, use the pendrive as boot device to boot Windows setup, through which, you repair the existing installation of Windows. The repair will solve any boot issues.

    Reply if the issue is not solved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T00:07:55+00:00

    Hi,

    They were speaking as if you used the HP Recovery which you weren't using due to the

    disk error. Recontact them and tell them exactly what you had to do.

    Maybe you can now run the HP Recovery which would then not require a key. Not sure

    on this end.

    Rob - SpiritX

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-31T00:00:21+00:00

    So I contacted HP and they said that I would not need a product key and that they have no products keys. 

    They said I should not have been asked for a product key.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-30T23:30:35+00:00

    Hi so I did everything with the usb drive and it worked perfectly. But I do not think I repaired.. I think it installed it all over again. I had to fill out the product key... My sticker on the bottom of my laptop is unreadable, so I found one online. I am worried about the activation and how to get this resolved without having to pay for windows again. 

    Thank you for all the help, worked great and I am using the computer that wasn't working right now to write this.

    Thanks,

    -Trevor

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-12-30T15:53:02+00:00

    Hi,

    Sounds like you might need to contact HP Support again and speak to someone else. Also

    check their on-line documentation, diagnostics, and ask in their forums. HP should have

    troubleshooting methods on-line to help with such issues.

    HP Support & Drivers

    http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

    Contact HP

    http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/contact\_us.html

    HP Forums

    http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/

    =============

    See Method 2 here :

    How To Repair Windows 7 From USB Flash Drive (Repair Without Installation DVD Disc) -

    Method 2: Users who don’t like to burn a DVD can refer this method.

    http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-repair-windows-7-from-usb-flash-drive-repair-without-installation-dvd-disc/

    More methods to create USB Installation and Repair media below.

    References to Vista also apply to Windows 7. 

    See if these help - boot with a Windows USB drive (repair drive ok) and issue

    these from the Command Prompt and hit ENTER after each.

    Setup/Setting (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 as you boot so watch the screen - set

    to USB drive first in the boot order - remember to set back when done.

    (Some use F12 or other keys for a one time boot order change.)

    C:

    bootrec /fixmbr

    bootrec /fixboot

    bootrec /scanos

    bootrec /rebuildbcd

    How to repair MBR on Windows 7

    http://www.ehow.com/how\_4836283\_repair-mbr-windows.html

    How To: Repair And Restore Windows Vista Master Boot Record (MBR)

    http://www.tomstricks.com/how-to-repair-and-restore-windows-vista-master-boot-record-mbr/

    This KB tells how to use /FixMbr and /FixBoot and other options

    How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment

    to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows. This also applied to

    Windows 7

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

    If those help then run StartUp Repair THREE times - run once and then reboot and run again - repeat. (Use a Windows 7 USB drive.)

    Using EasyBCD often works when other methods do not. <-- if Bootrec did not help use this.

    Recovering the Vista or Windows 7 Bootloader from the DVD

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+from+the+DVD

    Recovering the Vista Bootloader with EasyBCD (Windows 7)

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+with+EasyBCD

    Repairing the Windows Vista Bootloader (Windows 7)

    http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Repairing+the+Windows+Vista+Bootloader

    If those help then run StartUp Repair THREE times - run once and then reboot and run again - repeat. (Use a Windows 7 USB drive.)

    How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

    ===================================================

    **If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.**Often these disks will help when the OEM Recovery Disk does not.

    You have to have an ISO image which you can create :

    Check - Using the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

    http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool 

    How To Create An ISO image

    http://forevergeeks.com/how-to-create-an-iso-image

    ISO Recorder

    http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

    Make an ISO image

    http://en.kioskea.net/faq/231-make-an-iso-image

    Another method :

    How to Create a Bootable Windows 7 Installation USB Flash Drive

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

    How to Install Windows 7 from a USB Key (works on full Windows 7 as well)

    http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how\_to\_install\_windows\_7\_beta\_a\_usb\_key

    How To: Install Windows 7/Vista From USB Drive [Detailed 100% Working Guide]

    http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/

    Use a USB Key to Install Windows 7— Even on a Netbook

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd535816.aspx

    Download Windows 7 System Recovery Discs - now charging $9.75 for the ISO

    images to make the disks. (These can be made on any computer running XP,

    Vista, or Window 7 that has a CD/DVD burner.)

    http://neosmart.net/blog/2009/windows-7-system-repair-discs/

    How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc - Free (Must be made on a

    Windows 7 computer running the same 32 or 64 bit.)

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

    A Installation Disk can also be made to use for Repair. Of course you would use your ownCOA (Product Key).

    How to: What are my options for obtaining Windows 7 reinstall media? ****http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows\_7-system/how-to-what-are-my-options-for-obtaining-windows-7/528163c1-0b2e-4ad2-a26d-7112851d1dc2

    See MVP Andre Da Costa's message in this thread.

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/how-can-i-download-gatewaywindows7recovery-disc/3c0ecd74-cfc1-4188-89c7-a6bbe8113ee1

    ======================================

    If needed :

    What to do if Windows won't start correctly

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/What-to-do-if-Windows-wont-start-correctly 

    How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

    What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7

    A Repair Installation allows you to keep the programs and data though redundant backups

    are always a good idea.

    How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

    ===========================================

    ===========================================

    More information :

    References to Vista also apply to Windows 7.

    This is serious error and "may" not be repairable without professional tech support

    from a real computer shop (not leeks and peeks at a BestBuy or other BigBox Stores)

    or your System maker's Support.

    Here are the troubleshooting methods to try to fix the issue :

    Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart Error message when starting Windows

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2622803

    How to Fix the "Bootmgr is missing" Error in Windows

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/104341-bootmgr-missing-fix.html

    Try Startup Repair - (If at ANY point you gain some but not full access to Windows

    come back and try Startup Repair again.) Very often StartUp Repair has to be

    run TWO or more times.

    Unable to boot in windows vista- windows boot configuration data file is missing

    required information - Repair Corrupt Boot Manager (Windows 7)

    http://www.troublefixers.com/unable-to-boot-in-windows-vista-windows-boot-configuration-data-file-is-missing-required-information/ 

    How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment

    to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista (Windows 7)

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392 

    How to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" in Windows Vista (Windows 7)

    http://cyberst0rm.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-fix-bootmgr-is-missing-in.html 

    Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration

    Data file is missing required information"  (Windows 7)

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391 

    Vista Tip: Repair "BOOTMGR is missing" error - a quick how to (Windows 7)

    http://lifehacker.com/251733/vista-tip--repair-bootmgr-is-missing-error 

    See this section here - To repair/rebuild the Boot Config Data Use the Bootrec.exe

    Tool (Windows 7)

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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