[Essexboy]

To me that sounds like a hard drive failure, what is the make and model of the computer and I will locate a hard drive diagnostic programme

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It's a Dell Studio XPS 1645.

[Hubbard521]

It's a Dell Studio XPS 1645.

[Essexboy]

OK Dell has a diagnostics package

Full instructions on the creation and use are here

Start at this point:
Custom Instructions for CW1363A1.zip:

[Hubbard521]

I was able to run both the memory scan and the entire, full-length drive scan. Neither of them turned up with any problems yet when I try to start the computer sans flash drive I get the same message of "boot mgr missing."

[Hubbard521]

Thanks for your ongoing help!

[Essexboy]

Ok lets create a windows 7 repair console disc

Download the following programme to the desktop of another computer with a CD burner

Windows 7 64bit ISO
ImgBurn

Install ImgBurn
Double click the ISO file and ImgBurn should open to burn it to CD

Reboot the sick computer with the CD

When you reboot you will see this although yours will say windows 7. Click repair my computer


Select your operating system


Select Command prompt


At the command prompt type the following

• Bootrec.exe /Fixboot
  
• Once finished type Exit

Reboot to normal windows

[Hubbard521]

It took me a day to find a computer with a CD burner. When I put in the disc I created and tried to boot from the CD/DVD drive I got the same message that the Boot Mgr was missing.

***EDIT. I realized I was supposed to run ImgBurn on the functioning computer. My mistake. I'll have to do this again at work tomorrow morning.

Edited by Hubbard521, 16 May 2012 - 05:32 PM.

[CompCav]

Essexboy will be here when you get back!

[Essexboy]

No problem the CD should be bootable so the lack of a bootmgr is immaterial - Hi Mike

[Hubbard521]

When I get to the System Recovery Options screen I get the message: "This version of System Recovery Options is not compatible with the version of Windows you are trying to repair. Try using a recovery disc that is compatible with this version of Windows."

I have 64-bit windows and the program said 32-bit, could that be a cause or am I way off base?

[Essexboy]

I am afraid that was my fault I copied the wrong link, here is the correct one Sorry

[Hubbard521]

Now I'm at the same place I was before. I get to Startup Repair and then after a minute it says "Windows cannot repair this computer automatically."

Thanks for the continued help.

[Essexboy]

When the screen came up did you select Command Prompt

When you reboot you will see this although yours will say windows 7. Click repair my computer


Select your operating system


Select Command prompt


At the command prompt type the following

• Bootrec.exe /Fixboot
  
• Once finished type Exit

[Hubbard521]

I never saw the very first screen. When I booted from the CD it prompted language of the keyboard and then I got to the second image copied above. At that point I hit "next," then command prompt. After entering the prompt it said that it was completed successfully.

Now I can at least get past where it says "BootMgr missing" - however, I'm again stuck at Startup Repair.

[Essexboy]

Can you download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 to a USB drive

Start the computer as before to get to the command prompt

At the command prompt type the following :

notepad and press Enter.
The notepad opens. Under File menu select Open.
Select "Computer" and find your flash drive letter and close the notepad.
In the command window type e:\frst64.exe and press Enter
Note: Replace letter e with the drive letter of your flash drive.
The tool will start to run.
When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
Press Scan button.
It will make a log (FRST.txt) on the flash drive. Please copy and paste it to your reply.[/list]]Here[/color][/url]