BOOTMGR Missing - HP Pavillion dv7-4177nr Entertainment Notebook, Windows 7 64bit

[hotstepa]

My husband's laptop  is giving the same BOOTMGR is missing message.  He has a lot of stuff on the computer.  Recovery utility does ot work, neither does the system restore.  The utility to back up files does not work.  I am hoping what I read here will assist me.  However, will the programs/files on the computer be erased when this install takes place? 

Thanks

Sonja

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Sonja:

Yes, if you do a system recovery, all data currently on the hard drive will be erased and unrecoverable.

I recommend you remove the drive from the PC, purchase an external SATA to USB notebook hard drive enclosure, put the drive in the enclosure, plug the enclosure into another PC's USB port and copy off the files you want to save.

Programs have to be reinstalled.

There should be a SWSetup folder on the hard drive which should contain the installation files for the programs and drivers that came with the PC. This will not help with programs that your husband installed after he got the PC.

This is the type of device that you need to retrieve the files from the hard drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182138

Paul

[hotstepa]

Thanks Paul.  I will  try this and get back to you. 

[hotstepa]

Hi Paul

Finally!  First I must thank you so much for your help.  I couldnt wait for the enclosure to arrive so borrowed one from the lawfirm I work.  What a learning curve.  I couldnt do the transfer as the system kept calling for a password which never existed.  However, drag and drop worked and I was able to copy everything on the drive.  Woo hooo.  I didnt have a problem putting the laptop back in its original factory condition, praise be.  I will do a backup this weekend.  Thanks again my friend.

Sonja

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Sonja.

Glad you got the files saved and your notebook fixed.

Best Regards,

Paul

[hotstepa · Accepted solution]

Without you, I would have been lost..... or rather my husband would be up a tree!  Thanks again.

Sonja

[pseino]

Hi,

[pseino]

Hi, I have the same problem and would like to try this solution as well but I have a couple of questions: how do I remove the drive from my laptop?  Also, at what point will I see the setup icon to reinstall and restore to factory settings? Thanks! Pam

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Pam:

Below is the link to the service manual for your notebook--that is if you have a dv7-4xxx notebook.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02642701.pdf

You will find the removal and replacement procedures for the hard drive in Chapter 4, pages 48 & 49.

Remember to remove the A/C cord and battery first before removing the hard drive.

After you copy the files you want to keep off of the hard drive and replace it, you will boot up the PC, and at the beginning of the HP welcome screen, tap the F11 key and you will launch the HP Recovery Manager program.

Just follow the prompts to restore your PC to its "out of the box" condition.

Regards,

Paul

[pseino]

Thank you for such a quick response.  I will try this and let you know how I fare!! 

Pam