BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart

daniellouwrens

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Hi

I have an Asus PC running W864, I have a Seagate 2 TB Harddrive and I have two 2TB Hard drive connected by USB.

Sometimes when I leave my PC running while doing other things I come back to it after a few hours and the PC is showing a black screen the message
"BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart" This happens about once or twice a month, I can see no pattern or event that triggers it.

When I press Ctrl Alt Del the PC restarts and comes back to the same message.

If I reboot to a bootable repair disk or Windows 8 install disk my OS and Hard drive are not found, but my USB connected drives are.

I have to turn of my PC completely, I take out the plug, and switch it back on, sometimes it reboots properly to the Start screen but sometimes it just goes back to the black screen with the BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart message.

What seems to work always is if I turn off the 2 USB attached drives turn off the PC then restart, that works 100% of the time as far as I can recall.

I suspect my had drive is faulty but I have taken the PC to the supplier and their tests show all is okay, even when I run Seatools for Windows it checks out 100%.

Seatools for DOS does not find the Harddrive, I believe this is a W7/8 issue.

I have repaired the BOOTMGR using the process shown here,
How to fix bootmgr is missing in Windows 8
But since W8 disk found the Harddrive I suspect the PC would have booted okay anyway.

Active SMART says it is okay and Event Viewer in W8 does not show any related errors.

I would appreciate any feedback or advice, I suspect the Harddrive is faulty but do not know how to really test it.

Regards

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
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    Asus
Your external USB dock is probably setup as the primary boot device in the bios, you should change that by default.

You can always boot from it if you have to by pressing (f11 or f12) during boot up ( read your bios boot prompt when booting )

What may be causing this is your system rebooting either by a call to reboot, minor crash, or a necessary windows update rebooting your system..

You can either change your bios setting to change your primary boot device to your internal harddrive, or you can leave the USB dock powered off unless you are using it ( also a good practice to extend life of HDD ).

Brooklyn...
 

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Hi, thanks for your reply.

I do not believe my external USB Harddrive is set up as the bootable drive, my bios boot sequence is set up to CD then hard drive.

Unless there is some other issue I am missing, if the USB Harddrive were set up as the primary boot drive wouldn't
the boot sequence fail because there is no OS on either external drive. Also wouldn't there be an issue every time I booted instead of it happening intermittently?

What could be calling for a reboot? I have no automatic updates running on my PC, even Windows Update is set to manual only, it doesn't even check for updates, I do that weekly.

Cheers

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Happens often when you have a removable storage device plugged in the computer and you start your system.
Try setting your BIOS settings to accomodate the boot sequence properly.
 

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It depends which starts first, your internal or external drive, sometimes your external may start slower than the internal..
 

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    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
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Thanks. I am working at the moment but will have a go tomorrow.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Hi

before I make any changes I need to understand why the problem would occur when the PC has been on for hours, and booted
to the correct drive.

Something is making it reboot and because Event Viewer shows no issues I suspect is a catastrophic event.

Any ideas on that?

Thanks

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Back in the day when I had a Compaq from 1998 this started happening to me just as you described when the hard drive started failing. Eventually no matter how hard I tried the system would not boot. Can you try running this program and posting a screenshot of your drive(s) as they appear there?
 

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    Intel i7-2600k
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    ASUS Sabertooth P67 B3
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    G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 2x4GB 1600MHz
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    ASUS GTX580DCUII
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
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    Corsair TX850v2
    Case
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    Cooling
    Too much!
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As long as your internal drive starts up first there will be no problem, but i suspect once in a while its your external drive that starts first..

There can be 2 boot options that can conflict..

1: boot order priority

2: Boot from add-on card first

what model is your asus and do you have an add-on card for your external drives?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
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    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
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Back in the day when I had a Compaq from 1998 this started happening to me just as you described when the hard drive started failing. Eventually no matter how hard I tried the system would not boot. Can you try running this program and posting a screenshot of your drive(s) as they appear there?

Hi

that is what I suspect is happening here but need some evidence so I can get the problem fixed.

The screenshot is attached.

Regards

Daniel
 

Attachments

  • CrystalDiskInfo Screenshot.jpg
    CrystalDiskInfo Screenshot.jpg
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
As long as your internal drive starts up first there will be no problem, but i suspect once in a while its your external drive that starts first..

There can be 2 boot options that can conflict..

1: boot order priority

2: Boot from add-on card first

what model is your asus and do you have an add-on card for your external drives?

Hi

but the question is why does the PC boot at all?

The PC is an ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. CM6730, I'm not sure what you mean by addon card, do you mean a PCI card attached to the MB, if so, no the External Drives are attached to USB ports (1 x USB2, 1xUSB3) that are connected directly to the MB.

Please let me know if you need more info.

Regards

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
I dont know for sure why your pc is rebooting besides the reasons i indicated previously.

But if you want to ensure that your OS starts normally after a reboot, then you should change your ext harddrive boot sequence.

The only thing you can do to avoid a windows update reboot, is to disable automatic updates, and the updates will not force a reboot.

If it still reboots, then someting else is doing it. Crash, virus, power issue, hardware failing...

Your particular model PC has had 4 Bios revisions since june of 2012, each time the improvement was system stability.

OS: Select OS Windows 8 32bit Windows 8 64bit Windows 7 32bit Windows 7 64bit Vista 32bit Vista 64bit WinXP WinXP 64bit DOS Others
There are 3 download servers available on ASUS Download Site - Global, China and P2P. Each server provides exact the same content no matter where you download from, except for the speed which you are connected to.

64 files found

icon_-.gif
BIOS (8)
Version 0507
DescriptionBIOS 0507
Improve system stability.
File Size
3,94 (MBytes)2013.02.01 update
Download from
asus_download_pics01.gif
Global (DLM)
asus_download_pics02.gif
Global

Version 4101
DescriptionBIOS 4101
1.Improve system stability.
2.Enhance compatibility with some USB devices.
3.Fixed Nvidia GTX 680 hang when runing with UEFI driver.
4.Support new CPUs. Please refer to our website at: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- CPU Support
File Size
3,02 (MBytes)2012.12.11 update
Download from
asus_download_pics01.gif
Global (DLM)
asus_download_pics02.gif
Global

Version 4002
DescriptionBIOS 4002
Improve system stability.
File Size
3,02 (MBytes)2012.07.12 update
Download from
asus_download_pics01.gif
Global (DLM)
asus_download_pics02.gif
Global

Version 3903
DescriptionCM6630 BIOS 3903
1.Improve system stability.
2.Improve memory compatibility.
3.Support new CPUs. Please refer to our website at: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- CPU Support
* Enable support for Intel Next Gen 22nm Processor E1 stepping MP version CPU.
File Size
3,01 (MBytes)2012.06.15 update
Download from
asus_download_pics01.gif
Global (DLM)
asus_download_pics02.gif
Global

Version 0512
DescriptionP8H61-M-PRO(CM6730) BIOS 0512
Improve system stability.
File Size
2,34 (MBytes)2012.01.06 update
Download from






If I think of anything else Ill repost, but This is about all I can do..
 

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    System Manufacturer/Model
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    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
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Hi

Okay, perhaps it's a combination of the two, poor system stability and the boot sequence, it is definitely not
windows update.

I'll run the bios updates and have a look at the boot sequence in the BIOS although I do not recall seeing any of the attached drives being available in the boot sequence.

This is going to take me a couple of days, I will post back when I have done it.

I appreciate your help and advice.

Regards

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Hi

I got it done sooner than I thought, I have updated/Flashed the BIOS and I have disabled all except the first two Boot sequence options, so I only have DVD then Hard Drive.

Julian asked me to post a screenshot of CrystalDiskInfo, I would be interested to see if he could see any potential erros shown.

Cheers

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Hi

I got it done sooner than I thought, I have updated/Flashed the BIOS and I have disabled all except the first two Boot sequence options, so I only have DVD then Hard Drive.

Julian asked me to post a screenshot of CrystalDiskInfo, I would be interested to see if he could see any potential erros shown.

Cheers

Daniel

Hmm, can't see anything wrong there... Let me give the problem some more thought....:geek:
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional x64
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    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
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    Intel i7-2600k
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth P67 B3
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 2x4GB 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX580DCUII
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    PSU
    Corsair TX850v2
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF X
    Cooling
    Too much!
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 10
Hi

Thanks, I would be interested in any ideas you have.

Cheers

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Hi

this has happened again, twice this week and I was thinking,

"could this be because my PC has too many devices hanging from it"

If this could be the cause how can I tell, is there software that will reveal an over-burdened power supply?

Cheers

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
Do you have a UPS connected to your system?

I still believe your computer is trying to boot from the external drive.

Since you always leave those drives connected you should make sure that in your boot order that the USB Boot is set to the last option.

If youre having power glitches and do not have a UPS on your system then thats causing your random reboots.

You can get a basic UPS for about $40.00 it doesnt have to have large capacity, it just has to absorb annoying power glitches.

A basic UPS will give you at least 20 - 30 minutes of continuous operation, though you may only need it for less than a second.

Whats the size of your computer power supply? 350Watts, 400Watts? more?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
Do you have a UPS connected to your system? No I do not

I still believe your computer is trying to boot from the external drive.

Since you always leave those drives connected you should make sure that in your boot order that the USB Boot is set to the last option.

Boot to USB has been disabled in the BIOS, only the DVD Drive and Hard Drive are a part of the boot order.


If youre having power glitches and do not have a UPS on your system then thats causing your random reboots.
The Power company says not!!

You can get a basic UPS for about $40.00 it doesnt have to have large capacity, it just has to absorb annoying power glitches.

A basic UPS will give you at least 20 - 30 minutes of continuous operation, though you may only need it for less than a second.

Whats the size of your computer power supply? 350Watts, 400Watts? more?

I don't know, the PC is still under warranty and if I open up the case I void the warranty.

Cheers

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64 with 8.1 Update
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3450 CPU @ 3.10GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    8Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    Poor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus
The power glitches can come from various sources not necessarily from the power company.

A UPS is a very good and cost effective investment to make for your expensive hardware, not to mention keeping your data safe from damage. If you dont want to open your computer to avoid voiding warranty, lets go this route.

If still no boot manager, then we can keep the ext harddrives unplugged for testing, if still no boot manager error, the the problem is internal and you will need to send it back, or open the system to look for a loose power cable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
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