What have I done... Please help!!!

U

uberw00t

Member
So, hd crashed in my laptop some months back and ive only recently got around to replacing it. Ive dont it before in different machines and they've all gone pretty smooth untill now. I installed the new drive and popped in my "vista" disk, everything looked normal untill it got the the extracting files portion. Stuck at 0% for like a half hr then something came up saying my disk was messed, sure enough it was scratched to he**. Spent the next while looking for a replacement online(that actually how I found this forum, someone had posted some download links), downloaded the 3 files, extracted and created an iso to replace my damaged disk. Well, now the dam thing wont boot up the disk, all I get is a .......

BOOTMRG is missing
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL

Theres lots of possible fixes online but they all assume I can get past this screen. All I have access to is this screen and the BIOS.

Could the botched instilation on the first attempt have screwed up my brand new HD?
Im not computer savvy by anymeans, I know my way around and can usually figure **** out(thank you google lol) but this one really has me stumped.

Please, anyhelp will be great and if you have anymore question.... fire away.
 

My Computer

System One

Welcome
You did no permanent damage. You can use this ISO and instructions to install. You may just want to use the ISO that you have, which is probably one that I suggested to others and follow the instuctions here. Your bad DVD did NOT cause any permanent problems
Dell Community
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi uberw00t,

In addition to what richc46, you can also change the boot sequence and make the DVD drive as first boot and then try to boot from the DVD drive and check if it is able to install windows on the new hard drive.

For any further questions in future please feel free to contact us.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-4100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 5450
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900
    Internet Speed
    10Mbps
I dont have time before work to mess with it right now but heres a few more things i should add

richc46,

I did use that link to download the files, altho I followed other instructions to create a .ios. I used a program called WBICreator to make the .iso and then used windows 7's built in iso burner to make the cd (right click>open with>Windows Disk Image Burner). Could that be why its not booting?(does the windows build in tool not create a proper "bootable" cd?

Madhur B,
Yeh, ive already seleced the cd drive as primary boot, and even with the cd in there I see the "viao"(its a sony laptop) loading screen then it goes black for a bit then I get the BOOTMRG is missing screen.
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
If you are having problems and you give me the make and model of your computer, there may be another way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Try this to make an .iso from the expanded setup files you get when you have run the .exe part of the 3 files you already downloaded.

View attachment BootIsoMakerV4.zip

rt click on bootisomakerv4.cmd and run as admin.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Early day at work so, I have more time to figure this bloody thing out tonight.


richc46,

Starting with the link you posted (post #26), the usb is bieng writing as I type this, BUT.....

The only option I have in BIOS that "might" be usb is "External Device". If I select that, is that the "boot from usb" option im looking for or does my bios not support boot from usb.

The laptop is a sony viao VGN-ns110e

SIW2,
I will try your method if the usb deal dosent pan out.


EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:

WinToFlash seemed to go smoothly but either the "External Device" in the bios is not the "Boot from usb" im looking for, or, win to flash didnt create a bootable usb properly.

I am still getting the Viao loading screen and then it goes right to BOOTMGR is missing.

Im open to the possibility up upgrading my bios to enable boot from usb. Something like the following....

Boot From a USB Drive Even if your BIOS Won’t Let You - How-To Geek

OR if you guys have any other better/easier ways of upgrading the bios, please, let me know.

SIW2,
Im still not totally done with this usb option, but, as I said if I really cant get it to work.. I'll move on to "Plan B" lol
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

I downloaded and burnt the files according to the article

(Boot From a USB Drive Even if your BIOS Won’t Let You - How-To Geek)

And now it boots "differently" in the sence I no longer get the BOOTMGR screen, but simply a "Operating System Not Found"

I am goin to go back to square one and try and do another boot DVD (.iso) using the steps layed out in the guide above. I think maybe its something wrong with the .iso I created earlier.

EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:EDIT:

So frusterated with all this.

Followed the steps in here exactly as described

http://en.community.dell.com/suppor...fficial-iso-download-links-digital-river.aspx

Used the "Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool" to create the DVD. When booting up now, With the DVD, it says "No Operating System Found"

What am I doin wrong....

Also, when I put in the old DVD(.iso) I created, I no longer get the BOOTMGR is missing like I was before, it now also gives me the "No Oper........"

SIW2,

I did you method, it garnered the same results, "No oper......"

UPDATE#2398472938742 lol
I am now getting a slightly different message, "Missing Operating System" instead of "No Operating System Found"
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

When do you get that message?
Is it when you are trying to boot from the dvd?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
The message indicates bios is trying to boot from the HD , not from the dvd.

Apart from skipping past the dvd, it sounds like you have the wrong (or none) partition set active.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Its the same message whether the cd is in there or not. I can hear the cd drive spin up and then go silent pretty much as soon as the "Missing Operating System" message comes up.

The cd/dvd drive functions fine...See below

Reply yo your second post there...

What can I do about that?

EDIT:
Im not sure if this is goin to help at all, but I have downloaded and burnt "Darik's Boot and Nuke" and am in the process of running a Quick erase on the drive (something to do with goin thru and writing "0's" on the entire drive.

This ^^ is how I know the disk drive functions fine.

I know richc46 said that the botched install didnt do any permenent damage, but maybe it half ass installed and thats messing things up now. Really dont know tho, but I figured I coudlent hurt anything by running a disk eraser.
 
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My Computer

System One

Strange Darik's cd boots fine.

Maybe you can boot from cd but niot dvd - it happens sometimes - different lasers - even tho a dvd may play - you may not be able to boot from one.

Try pw free boot disc - burn it to dvd - see if you can boot that. Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online

It is always a useful program to have - you could see if the drive is ok - partition it up - set partition active, etc.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
I know it can boot dvd's, as the old(now scrated) "anytime repair disk" was burnt on a dvd, and ive used that same dvd on this laptop before.

But I will download and burn that link above and play around with it a bit.

EDIT:
I THINK WERE ON TO SOMETHING HERE!!!!!!!! GETTING ALL EXCITED lol

Burnt it first to dvd, didnt work. Tried it on my desktop(windows 7,gateway all-in-one) and it booted... so I know it was a good dvd.
Burnt it a second time on CD and it boots up fine in the laptop.

This is all really weird cause I KNOW FOR SURE, that ive loaded windows on THAT laptop with a DVD .iso. Also, as I mentioned in my first post, I was able to get the scratched DVD "anytime repair" to boot and at least start the instillation of vista. Now, I cant get anything to boot up windows.

Not sure if this makes a difference but the old "anytime repair" was on a TDK brand DVD and the new ones ive been making are also on TDK brand, same brand but they look different. Im totally unsure if the old scratched DVD was a R+ or R- and the new ones I "THINK" were R+. Again, not sure if that would make a difference or not.


This is what PW is tellin me ..

Partition Name: *:
Capacity: 289.09gb
Used:0b
Unused:298.09gb
File System:Unallocated
Type:Logical
Status:None

Im not to sure were to go from here tho.... I mention earlier in the thread "Im pretty good at figuring things out(thank you google") that should of read "im pretty good at following instructions" :)lol

Theres an option "rebuild MBR". A quick google tells me that stands for "master boot record", this seems like something I want to do, yes?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

You will need to rt click that and change it to a Primary partition. There is the problem.

If I were you I would make that HD into at least two partitions.

Easiest just to make 2 Primary partitions about equal size.

Then when you install, point windows installer at the first primary.


Not sure how we are going to get windows installation media on a whole lot of cd's.

Fix the partitioning as above, then maybe try a different dvd brand for the windows .iso

If I remember correctly, -R dvd format is more widely supported.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
So, I added one big partition just for the simplicity of it, set it as Primary and then set is as active( dont know if that last step was nessesacry..or hindering progress here) but... im now getting a "NTLDR Is Missing CTRL+ALT+DEL" Message when trying to boot from the DVD.

Gotta head to work here in about 5, but wanna say I really appreciate all the help so far...

Also I should mention this, and I dont know if it relevant, but when setting up the partition it didnt allow me to choose a drive letter, is it C: by default and only if you add extras does it allow for designatiig a drive letter other then C:

This is what PW is tellin me now

Partition Name: *:Main
Capacity: 298.09gb
Used:73.95
Unused:298.02gb
File System:NTFS
Type:Primary
Status:Active

I will grab a small thing of dvd -R's on my way home tongith and see if thats causing the issue.
Any specific brand you would suggest?
 

My Computer

System One

Holy FAAACKKKK...this is driving me insane.

Turns out there not ready for us on the next job so... I have the day off and thoguht id go down and get some dvd-r's. Brought the laptop just in case I gave in and decided to pay someone to do this for me. Explained my problem to him, and that I had the laptop with me, so he graciously offered to take a look. By that I mean he stuck his legit vista disk in the laptop and it loaded up just fine and said anything more I have to charge you, and by charge you he ment sell me a new copy of windows cause my OEM sticker on the bottom isnt ledgable anymore. He then offered me a free memorex disk to try and make a copy of "my" iso that I have here at home(Me bieng cheap, decided that the one was gonna be enough and drove home). Got everything back here and proceeded to make a copy onto the new memorex cd. Thought everything was going great, well, at least it spent more time "thinking" about this disk before eventually spitting out the "Operating system not found" message.

So im pretty sure its a disk/type/brand issue and my cd/dvd drive isnt playing nice.
Or
It could be the way im burning the .iso, BUT, all the bootable dvd's ive made boot fine in my desktop pc.

I guess I will have to keep buying different brands untill I find one that works....


EDIT:
So, I think I may have found a solution to my problems, and possibly future problems as well.
The following product, correct me if im wrong here, but, could I not buy this product, install my drive into it, and use my desktop to boot the .iso and just select the drive in question as the installation path? Would be nice to have a backup avalable as well, so If I found a cheapo drive for backup stuff, I could install it in the inclusure and run its as an external HD basicly?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-2-5-SATA...ures_Docks&hash=item2a241d2c1b#ht_4635wt_1163

I mean who knows how many different brands of DVD I would need to buy before I found one that would boot with my current cd/dvd drive. for $15 after shipping, seems like a pretty good deal, right? Hell, it even comes with tools,screws,dual usb and a "leather" pouch.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Just check the iso - you can use the free version of Poweriso - browse to the iso and pick it up.

It should say bootable at the bottom of the poweriso window- if so, then try using poweriso to burn it.

You never know - poweriso is excellent - the burner may be what you need.

D/L it from the link here - that is the free (unregistered ) version.

http://www.poweriso.net/PowerISO5.exe

piso.jpg


Fully functional ( except for iso editing - which is the bit you don't need ta this stage )
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Put an edit in on my post above, going off the timestamps I dont think you've seen it? Would like your thoughts on that idea.

But I will download that program now and post findings on a few minutes.
I have tyied with IMGBURN and With the built in Windows iso burner, hopefully this third one works:)

EDIT:
Power ISO says its a bootable image.
Made a copy
Same thing..."No oper........"
 

My Computer

System One

You will have trouble getting windows to boot from a usb drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
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