Has my computer died?

[Hampshire Lass]

Morning all,

I switched my computer on this morning to be greeted by a black screen and the message:
bootmgr is missing press ctrl +alt + delete to restart

I tried that and the screen tried to start but then reverted to the same message.

I switched off via the button on the side and the same thing happened again.

Really don't know how to overcome this problem.....other than write this message on my husbands pc and hope that some kind soul can help me   

[groom]

This might help until someone with more knowledge comes along

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

[LoneyBones]

Hi Hampshire Lass,
I'm no expert, but have had a bit of experience getting my own computers going.
Firstly, turn EVERYTHING off. unplug everything, then plug in only what's needed. That is, not printer, scanner. etc.
Turn on from wall, then computer main switch (if it has one) then switch on front of computer. This will also activate screen.
If all you get is the same message, turn OFF the front switch, then get fingers ready on [control] and [alt].switch on while holding down keys, and bounce another finger on F8. You may need to do this a few times.
If you get no joy then it's a job for someone with more tech knowledge than me.
Or the old NASA version is unplug averything, wait 10 minutes, plug it all up again and turn on. Works most times.
Good luck, Leonie.

[[Ray]]

Hi

Please confirm that you are running W7/Vista?

Ensure that there are no cd/dvd in drive(s)
Ensure that there are no USB drives plugged in.

Restart your pc
If no joy then the likelihood is that your harddrive has an error or an update has gone awry.

Read this
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/bootmgr-is-missing.htm

Report back

Good luck

Ray
.

[confusion]

HampshireLass posted:
Has my computer died?

The answer is quite possibly.

If you have the original OS installation disc this might be the only way of getting up and running again.
You may lose all of your 'saved' work though. Hopefully, you have it backed up on another hard drive! ! !

To fix your current problem, you need to access a command prompt and run the BCDEDIT.exe
which will reveal your boot options. This may show anomalies with the boot sequence.
I know this sounds easier said than done considering that you can only get to the Power On Self Test 'POST' screen then seeing the bootmgr is corrupt or is missing message.
Pressing ctrl +alt + delete to restart just causes an infinite never ending loop.

Also you may see a winload.exe is corrupt or is missing message too.

I am afraid that your only option would be to re-install Windows.

To overcome my own personal experience with this problem several months ago, after a Windows update ( I won't reveal which one!!) I bit the bullet and installed Linux and have never had an ounce of trouble since. ( I also have a Win7 Laptop which is never used on the internet)

Good luck

Jim

[Hampshire Lass]

Just to say thank you for all your quick replies. Things aren't looking good at the moment but you've given me plenty of pointers and I'll let you know how things go   

[[Ray]]

Hi

"I am afraid that your only option would be to re-install Windows."
Incorrect,
it may be one(or more) of a number of things, including but not limited to,
* a disk failure (partial or otherwise)
* simple case of copying the (now) missing program from another source.
* a windows update failure
 
Please confirm
* the operating system you have?
* the absence (/presence) of a delivery cd/dvd for the operating system
* whether you have run a system backup recently

R

[Kleftiwallah]

If you have the start-up floppy disk, try firing it up with that disc in place.  Just a thought.

Cheers,   Tony.

[Hampshire Lass]

I have windows vista with norton security.

It turned out that my husband was chatting to a friend of a friend yesterday who has a lot of computer experience via his job. I gave him a ring and he's just spent several hours trying to solve my problem. He thinks it's a virus but because the boot manager is missing everything seems to result in an ever decreasing circle and at the moment it's not solved.

I'm really not good with such a severe problem so am having difficulty in describing the problem here.

He thinks that the only option open now is to wipe the disc clear and then restore. He's gone away to contact a collegue and is coming back tomorrow.

I'm sorry that I can't explain the problem in greater detail. I think the friend of a friend is knowledgeable but mystified by the severity of things. Certainly if it was down to me all your very helpful replies are over my little old head, so one way or another, I need a man who can.

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed because although I back up there is still a certain element that is going to be lost.

Thank you so much for your replies though. I do appreciate your time and I'll let you know how things turn out.   

 If it's a virus whatever pleasure do people get from spreading such misery.