Missing File "BOOTMGR' can barely run any exe's including explorer.exe

[BatchFileBasics]

"A DISK READ ERROR OCCURRED

BOOTMGR IS MISSING

BOOTMGR IS COMPRESSSED

PRESS CTRL + ALT + DEL TO RESTART"'

so my friend is having trouble with his computer(windows vista) so im trying to find the problem with command prompt because it will not load up, and i don't know if its just this computer but it is refusing to give me the option of booting to safe mode. i doubt its a virus problem because he has bit defender 2009 internet security. i have managed to get the task manager up from command prompt and explorer.exe was not running (obvious) so i believe there is a missing file\folder "BOOTMGR" any help very appreciated.

Windows Vista home premium 64x
3gb ddr3 memory
ATI Radeon HD 4850
750 gb hard drive
Intel  core i7-920 Quad core processor

[Broni]

Do you have Vista DVD?

[JJ 3000]

You will need to run the fixmbr command at command prompt.

Boot to your Vista DVD and select repair your computer. Then from the "choose a recovery tool" screen select Command Prompt. then type in:

bootrec.exe /fixmbr and press enter
then type in:
bootrec.exe /fixboot and press enter

Remove the DVD and restart.

If you don't have the Vista DVD you can try this one:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
to create a bootable DVD. You will need a program like this one:
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
to burn the ISO to a disk.

Good Luck!

[BatchFileBasics]

@Broni.
well, he doesn't have the disk because he bought it from best buy and they didn't give him the disk, just the bundle of keyboard mouse etc with the computer.

@JJ 3000
Thanks so much!. i'm downloading the x64 right now.
so next time i head to his house i can fix.


Thank you guys!

[BatchFileBasics]

i don't know what im doing wrong, i did what you told me and it still doesn't work

[JJ 3000]

Boot to the disk again and this time select "Startup Repair".

[BatchFileBasics]

yea, i tried everything i can. from microsoft . the recovery disk.

so hes going to take it to best buys. get it fixed and im gunna go with.

[Broni]

In most cases, Vista doesn't need DVD to run, and fix eventual errors by running:
sfc /scannow
so you can give it a shot.

Also, lost ability of booting into Safe Mode is often a sign of some infection.

Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
by clicking on Download HijackThis Installer
Install, and run it.
Post HijackTHis log.
Do NOT attempt to fix anything!

NOTE. If you're using Vista, right click on HijackThis, and click Run as Administrator

[BatchFileBasics]

sorry, but im not at his house any more.

and:
i can't run most programs. gives me a "....shell32......errror.....blah blah"

but i can locate my self around but chkdsk does not work.

when i start it. it runs under startup repair and everything

[Broni]

I think, reinstalling Windows would be much cheaper, than GeekSquad, unless the computer is under warranty.

[BatchFileBasics]

yea. he bought it a month ago.
ill talk about it tomorrow with him.
but his computer is just about brand new. some beastly parts in it. completely pwns mine down and his broke in a month.

my computer is an xp right after it came out and its still running great.


he barley uses it so it has so be some flaw with his current version vs sp2

and trust me, he isn't the type of person to download alot. thats me.

and he plays nothing but valve steam games.

and thats pretty much it.
sorry for my bad grammatical "and's"

[JJ 3000]

Well if it's still under warranty, you can get it fixed for free. You might even be able to exchange for a new one.

[BatchFileBasics]

yea, thats the thing, i don't know if he put one on it.

and he said best buy put a 14 day warranty on it 

[patio]

yea, thats the thing, i don't know if he put one on it.

and he said best buy put a 14 day warranty on it 

I've never heard of this on a new machine...usually the Minimum is 1 Year...

[BatchFileBasics]

yea, so were going back on saturday to get it fixed and what-not. see if the warranty is for than 2 weeks etc