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Bootmgr is missing, windows repair, no disk
Hi all fellow Dell users,
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron that came with only one primary partition (C:) for the pre-installed Windows 7 Home Premium OS. I tried to create new partition on my 500GB harddisk by the disk management but the C: could not be shrinked beyond 200++GB (available shrink space was only 200++GB, and I wanted to have my C: for 150GB only), which took up too much of my storage. I then googled on this problem and saw many recommended to deactivate system recovery, and clean up the disk for unnecessary files that might block me from doing the partition. And here comes the problem, the disk clean-up might have accidentally deleted bootmgr file that I could not boot my OS anymore. I FIGURE THE ONLY WAY IS TO DO SYSTEM REPAIR WITH THE OS CD. Therefore my questions are:
(1) Is the problem with the partition a common one? Anyone has experienced/is experiencing the same? Coz apparently a friend of mine said he also couldn't shrink his C: beyond 500GB from his 1TB harddisk (certainly too much!) How to solve this problem, maybe using 3rd party partition software? How to check files that possibly block the unallocated space? Or is it I simply need to reinstall the OS?
(2) SInce my purchase did not come with Windows CD, can I get the CD from Dell under warranty? Is there going to be any fee, the CD itself or shipping fee?
(3) If I wish to use my friend's Windows CD of similar version, does the system repair require activation key? If yes, can I get the activation key of the OS pre-installed in my system? Any fee?
Appreciate for any help and opinion. Thank you :emotion-1:
Hi again,
Well I called them again, and apparently the OS installed in my system has been configured to have only 2 partitions, and reinstalling the OS with the disc created from the 'create recovery disc' will give me the same partition problem anyway. The guy told me that the only way is to reinstall the OS from scratch using the Windows CD that I need to pay for the shipping. And he said I could use that one CD to reinstall OS in any Dell system that has similar OS version, without prompting for activation key (IS IT TRUE?). Think I can share the fee with my friend at least haha. Any opinion are much welcome. Thanks!!
Hi THEFLASH1932,
Thank you for your speedy reply. I called Dell Support Malaysia here where I purchased my Dell, and they said they could ship to me the original Windows CD that has been installed in my system, but I need to pay for shipment fee. By the way I happen to have a friend who has the same Dell laptop (only different are processor and hardisk storage, same Windows). And I learn that we can create system recovery disc from within. Does the recovery disc has Windows system recovery utility? Can I use this disc for other laptop i.e having different activation key, I mean to reinstall bootmgr in my system? Thank you very much for the help.Philip_Yip
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Posted August 14th, 2012 16:00
Yes a Dell DVD will install and activate in a Dell BIOs using a Dell system Locked Preinstallation Key. This will work as long as the Dell has the matching COA as the Dell Windows Reinstallation DVD.
You are best to get the DVD, your friend can make a copy of it or a bootable USB as instructed here.
For installing follow the instructions here.
theflash1932
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Posted August 13th, 2012 09:00
1. Yes. Windows - because of 'immoveable' files and other various reasons - can only shrink the C: partition so much. Third-party tools can often shrink it more by rearranging files 'offline', but you should be careful using these tools. If you can't find a tool to shrink it to an acceptable size for your needs, then you will need to rebuild/reinstall, creating the appropriate size partition before installing. The Recovery Partition has nothing to do with it.
2. You can get the DVD (Windows 7 does not come on CD) from Dell here, which is usually free:
support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form
You can also install using 'retail' media, activating using your Product Key by phone.
3. You can use a friends DVD, as long as 1) it matches the version of your license (Home Premium, Pro, etc.). Dell does NOT provide replacement Product Keys. If using your friend's DVD prompts you for the Product Key for activation, then enter the one on the sticker on your computer - that is the only license that is acceptable for you to use on your system (that came with it).