Windows – Vista/Server 2008: BOOTMGR is missing

bootbootloaderpartitioningwindows server 2008

My NTLDR recently went missing, and I was able to fix that. However, now my BOOTMGR is also missing, and I have tried all the solutions on the whole Internet to fix it. Below are the actions I've taken in the recovery command prompt:

  • bootrec /fixmbr
    • The operation completed successfully.
  • bootrec /fixboot
    • Element not found.
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd

    • Successfully scanned Windows installations.
      Total identified Windows installations: 1
      [1] C:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? Yes(Y)/No(N)/All(A):y
      Element not found.

  • diskpart
    list disk
    select disk 4
    select partition 1
    active
    • DiskPart marked the current partition as active.
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd

    • Successfully scanned Windows installations.
      Total identified Windows installations: 1
      [1] C:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? Yes(Y)/No(N)/All(A):y
      The operation completed successfully.

  • bootrec /fixboot
    • The operation completed successfully.
  • bcdedit /export c:\boot2
    ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
    bootrec /rebuildbcd

    • Successfully scanned Windows installations.
      Total identified Windows installations: 1
      [1] C:\Windows
      Add installation to boot list? Yes(Y)/No(N)/All(A):y
      The operation completed successfully.

So how do I restore my BOOTMGR without having to reinstall?

Note this question required some… interesting formatting 🙂

Best Answer

Just an additional comment in hopes I can help the next person trying to deal with boot issues... especially after an update.

The screenshot that Will put up there is from a Vista install disc. The Windows 2008 repair options did NOT include the "Startup Repair" option (oddly enough). So, on a whim, I decided to try a Vista install disc and, sure enough, the option was there and once I selected that option - my Windows Server 2008 server FINALLY booted again.

I have no idea why MS decided to include the option on Vista discs but not 2008 discs, but this is something worth trying if you are pulling your hair out like I was. All my attempts to do command line restores were useless... I would have never imagined that a Vista install CD would do the trick.

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