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

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
3) Click the second of two options: 
A)Back up your files first (recommended)
----> B)Recover without backing up your files
4) 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
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 own
COA (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.


Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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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.
Balaji Kundalam

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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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Hi,

You need to get the proper key from HP Support.

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/

Rob - SpiritX
Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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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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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

Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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Yes, I explained to them exactly what I did. They still said I did it wrong and wanted to charge me $49 to fix it. That is unacceptable because I could just buy a new product key for under that price

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Hi,

As I said maybe you can use the HP Recovery now.... you will need to see their on-line docs
and/or speak to their Support again. As OEM HP is responsible for both the hardware and
Windows. They should be able to furnish you with the same key for your OEM license.

Speak to higher management there.

Unfortunately their is nothing we can do on this end.

Rob - SpiritX
Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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Hi

I  did all but still the problem is same  its not boot from cd or usb always showing bootmgr is missing error. Pls help

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I cant do it because i have no installation disk.im not proud of my cumputer

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Last updated May 8, 2023 Views 123,245 Applies to: