'Boot Mgr Is Missing'

[kylehpc]

Hi all,
I just tried to install my new SSD, I didn't really have a clue to what to do so I just unplugged the plugs from my Hard drive, and plugged them into the SSD so I could install my new Windows disc on it.

The first time I booted, it went straight to the Windows 7 installation which got me excited that it was working, but once I tried to install it got stuck at 0% on 'expanding windows files'. So after about 20 minutes, I rebooted.

The 2nd time I tried to boot from the Windows disc for installation, I got an error saying 'BOOT MGR IS MISSING, PRESS CTRL + ALT DELETE TO REBOOT'

Has anyone had this issue in the past? If so could you tell me what you did to fix it?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... you didn't complete the first install, and there is files on it, and your motherboard is trying to boot from it... verify your boot order is the DVD first in the BIO's, save and re-boot... and you need to "Custom install" and use the "advanced drive options" to delete the previous two partitions the install created, then reboot and try your install agian.
Check your DVD drive connections and operation.

 

[kylehpc]

Hello... you didn't complete the first install, and there is files on it, and your motherboard is trying to boot from it... verify your boot order is the DVD first in the BIO's, save and re-boot... and you need to "Custom install" and use the "advanced drive options" to delete the previous two partitions the install created, then reboot and try your install agian.

Thanks I'll give it a go now. I read somewhere I have to uninstall Windows off my previous hard drive before I can install it on my SSD, is this correct?

 

[Tom Tancredi]

Okay, any and all instructions state when migrating to a SSD, you do a CLEAN wipe of all drives then install WIndows to SSD. From your description you had Windows on the HDD then plugged in the SSD and tried to install a SECOND Windows, this is where the Boot MGR got hosed up. Only *1* Windows can be 'in charge' of the PC.

Unplug the SSD, Boot the computer with the Windows DVD, and run REPAIR on your HDD. Now get a external drive, run Windows Easy Transfer and backup your pics, music, docs, etc to it. Download and run DBAN to wipe the HDD clean. Plug in the SSD, run DBAN to wipe the SSD clean. Now install Windows to the SSD.

After installing there is alot of management usually with it (if it doesn't come with a nice Wizard to do it for you) like turning off hibernation, turn off virtual memory etc. You best would be serve to Google Add SSD Tips and Tricks. MANY articles are out there to help walk you through the best solutions.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... install on your SSD should be done without your other Hardrive connected, for best results... after you got all your drivers loaded/working, and you feel windows is setup to your liking, connect your Hardrive and move files/programs/data from it, to your liking... then go ahead and delete the partitons on it for a Clean hardrive... move files/programs/data back to it, to your liking.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

Hello... install on your SSD should be done without your other Hardrive connected, for best results... after you got all your drivers loaded/working, and you feel windows is setup to your liking, connect your Hardrive and move files/programs/data from it, to your liking... then go ahead and delete the partitons on it for a Clean hardrive... move files/programs/data back to it, to your liking.

Since Vista, you can not "move progams... to your liking" from one drive to another because they us multiple locations on the drive paths to install differen elements for each program. When setting up a new windows from a old windows setup, the standard procedure is to install the new windows with the same applications as the old system, then use Windows Easy Transfer to backup the data to a drive or copy (slower) over your network Old > New PC.

The problem with turning on the 'HDD' as you recommend is, it is still set as PRIMARY (hence why his Boot MGR got all flubbed up), telling the computer that the HDD is where the OS is, but he has the SDD in which also says the OS is here; so the computer can't understand what to 'boot from'. If he uses (as I recommend DBAN) and just wipes the drives, it resets everything to 0 and will make it easier to install it the RIGHT WAY.