Solved Operating System not found/cant find BOOTMGR

I have a slight problem and am hoping somone can help, new motherboard was fitted and vista was running fine then it wouldn't
boot without the recovery disc, kept getting CANT FIND BOOTMGR message, I then tried to reinstall vista, the instalation froze half way through the process, now the laptop wont boot up with the recovery disc I just get a blank screen with the words OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND
also if I press the F11 key for system recovery I still only get the blank screen with the words OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND
I can get to the bios but that is about it
I am at a loss as to what to do next
Any help/information would be greatfully appreciated
Kind regards Neil

Hello, geez, sounds like an issue with the hard drive IMO ( in my opinion ) . I would do a hard drive check to check its status . Try a chkdsk using command prompt and see how this works.
Post results if you do this, and I or someone else will pick it up from there. Thanks for using this Forum for your issues..
Edit : Confirm that the electrical connections are secure.

Check your hard disk for errors

I dont think its errors on the Hard Drive you may need a new hard drive and this test will indicate if that is the case.

Test Hard Drive www.carrona.org/hddiag.html or this test www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htm

If you are OK, follow this tutorial.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/204930-bootmgr-missing.html

Thanks for info Yard Dog, but when I press the start button to turn on pc the only screen that comes up is blank with operating system not found in the top left hand corner, can you tell me how to get to the command promp ?

Thanks Neil

richc46 said:

I dont think its errors on the Hard Drive you may need a new hard drive and this test will indicate if that is the case.

Test Hard Drive www.carrona.org/hddiag.html or this test www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htm

If you are OK, follow this tutorial.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/204930-bootmgr-missing.html

Click to expand...

I think that this is the solution

I think richc46 is correct, i was hoping that would not be the case, as you did not indicate any beeps at start up, which gives an indication of issues with MB or other hardware. Good Luck with repairing this, please follow richc46 directions.

Thanks richc46
There are no beeps the bios seems ok but that is the only thing I can get to
Have downloaded shdiag and also tried estool301 to cd and booted from this but still no good, should it boot from these discs or is there a file or somthing I can use to boot my pc to safe mode or soe way to get to the command prompt
am I right in thinking that if these downloads do not run from bootup that the hard drive is no good ?

thanks

Thanks all for imformation I am going to replace the HDD I will post my outcome later

Again thanks very helpfull site

You may want to try to back up your stuff with Ubunutu first. If its not the HD, you will be able to back up.

Hi again,

I have a phoenix BIOS utility which runs a hard disk self testwhich I have run and
it passed the test
so I am still not sure wether it is HDD or not
I cant back up my data becouse I cant get to windows, operating system not found

thanks all

Neil
Try to use Ubuntu to back up.

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

If you can, back up your stuff and use the test that I gave you for the HD. I am familar with it and it is very accurate. If you pass, we may just reinstall.

Thanks richc46

It is a faulty HDD, (samsung HM250JI, Part No 453827-001)
I was thinking of upgrading, would you know if I could use a
Toshiba MK3256GSY, or could you suggest anything else that
would be compatable ? also once HDD is fitted do I just boot from the recovery discs that came with my laptop or do I have to change any settings
Again any help would be greatfully appreciated

Thanks Neil

Im not sure if that HD is compatible.
If the CD does not work, be sure that you are set to boot from the CD.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

Hi rich

I havn't purchased the HDD yet but was wondering which one I could buy as an upgrade that would be compatable seing as I have to replace it anyway

That question is not really in my area of expertise. May I suggest that you start a new thread, do not make mention of this thread, and start fresh. Give your computer specs, specs on your current HD and ask. I am sure there are many members, who will be glad to help.

Thanks for all your help