PC help needed; need to repair vista, but no CD drive

[Kitah]

Hi guys... I've spent so many hours today trying to fix my old laptop, as I need to use it! I used it only about a week ago, and it was fine then!

but when I turned it on yesterday, it came up with a message "BOOTMGR is missing, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart". Of course, when you restart, it doesn't do anything...

I googled this error, and apparently I have to do a windows repair with the vista installation CD/boot from the CD- that would be fine, as I have the CD, but the problem is that the CD drive on this computer does not work!

So, I tried transfering the data from the CD (both simple copy + paste, and also as an .iso) onto a 4gb usb and plugging it in, but then it comes up with the message "operating system not found"

So I googled some more, and found out that I need to make the USB itself bootable. I was following the instructions here - How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key! - Page 1 | Maximum PC - and realised that you can't make the USB bootable from a 62bit OS to run on a 32bit OS (which makes sense, but I didn't think of it)-- my new computer is 64bit windows 7, and my old one is 32bit vista...


So, now that I can't do that either- does anyone have any other suggestions? and sorry about the long thread/information overload. I'm just kinda desperate!

 

[Kurto]

Is there anything on your old laptop you really need?

What is your old laptop? Specs?

If it's telling you "BOOTMGR is missing" just out of the blue, I'd say you have a virus.

 

[Kitah]

There's nothing specifically on it that I need, files or program wise- I formatted it when I got my new computer at the very start of the year. But, I can only use this laptop to connect to a cutting machine; the machine/software is not compatible with 64bit OS, so I can't run it off this computer. Its the only reason I was using my old one.

The old laptop is a Dell XPS M1530, 3mb ram, I think it was an intel T7250 dual core processor (2ghz, 2mb L2 cache, 800Mhz FSB), 250gb 5400rpm SATA hard drive, 256mb NVIDIA graphics card, about 2yo? Is that enough information?

If its a virus, I wonder where on earth it came from? The computer is never connected to the internet, didn't have anything new put on it etc.

 

[Wild~Touch]

I have an external DVD drive which solved my problem of my computer DVD drive not working.
I would lend you mine if we lived a bit closer, if you ever get down to Brisbane please contact me
Cheers
Sandee

 

[Baaaax]

You can install a 32bit OS over a 64bit OS, so I don't really see your problem? Just make the USB bootable and boot from it, the bios isn't restricted by x32/x64.

 

[Kitah]

The website I was following directions said this-

IMPORTANT: If you’re currently running 32-bit Windows Vista or 7, Bootsect will only work if you use the files from the 32-bit Windows 7 install disc. The Bootsect executable from the 64-bit version will not run in 32-bit Vista.

so I thought if I used the bootsect executable that my 64bit (Working) PC wrote on the USB, that it would not work on the 32bit PC that I need to fix? Or did I misinterpret it?

Bredlislave, I had thought of an external DVD drive, but can't really throw out cash if I can avoid it! But, if absolutely necessary, I'll get one. Thanks for the offer- I will be in Bris in December, but hopefully I can get this resolved before then!

 

[Wild~Touch]

If all else fails I will pop the ext,DVD in a Express Post bag and send it to you
I know you will bring it back to me in December

 

[Baaaax]

Actually yes, that's right. Sorry. my mistake, I was mis-reading.

You can try downloading a x64bit version of Vista then it should all go well. Alternatively you can acquire a Linux distro and do it from there.

(OR you could just install Windows 7 on the machine)

 

[Kitah]

Thanks Bredlislave, you're very trusting! I really appreciate it, you're really kind I'm going to see tomorrow if anyone at uni happens to have an external drive, or if I Can borrow their computer to make the USB bootable- hopefully it'll save a bit of hassle!!

Baaaax, the 64bit version you're referring to, is that for a legal version? I'm assuming my codes wouldn't work for them? Not sure how that'd work.

Ahh, I love technology when it works! When it doesn't... well...


Thanks for your help so far And I apologize if I seem like a bit of an idiot when it comes to this kinda stuff!

 

[dadaman]

Try fixing the MBR

 

[Kitah]

Any idea how I do that?