Windows Server “BOOTMGR is missing” Error

SYMPTOM

Upon reboot of a server, you may receive a message similar to the following:

  BOOTMGR is missing

And the server will not boot into Windows.

RESOLUTION

Windows 2003

You will need to run the Recovery Console to write a new boot sector and repair the boot partition’s master boot record.

To run the Recovery Console, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD or the DVD drive. For more information about how to do this, see the computer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.
2. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the computer’s CD or DVD drive.
3. Restart the computer.
4. When you receive the message that prompts you to press any key to start from the CD, press a key to start the computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD.
5. When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press the R key to start the Recovery Console.
6. Select the Windows installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
7. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen, type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.
8. At the command prompt, type the following Recovery Console commands :

fixmbr
fixboot

9. To quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER. (Certain commands will prompt for a reboot of the server).

 

Windows 2008

You will need to access the System Recovery Options to repair the installation.

To access the System Recovery Options, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD or the DVD drive. For more information about how to do this, see the computer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.
2. Insert the Windows Server 2008 CD in the computer’s CD or DVD drive.
3. Restart the computer.
4. When you receive the message that prompts you to press any key to start from the CD, press a key to start the computer from the Windows Server 2008 CD.
5. You will choose the Repair your computer option. From that point, the available options should look similar to this

6. Choose Command Prompt
7. Type cd x:\sources\recovery
8. Type StartRep.exe

Once that action has completed, you should be prompted for a reboot.