BleepingComputer.com: Vista Crash

Alright so I got myself into a mess with my laptop. It is a Gateway M-1625 That runs Vista Home Premium with SP1. I've had it for over a year. It all started with a virus, I ran my virus protection to get rid of it and I guess that didn't work. I restarted my computer and it would let me use it for 2 or 3 minutes before it displayed a blue screen and crashed. I attempted a system restore but for some reason there were no restore points. I was able to find the hidden recovery program in the computer and started it but it froze in the middle and crashed. When it rebooted it displayed the message 'bootmgr is missing'. I went online and downloaded the recovery disc from neosmart (http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/window...disc-download/). Attempted to fix it that way but my computer cannot find any operating system. Also there are low beeps when I attempt to repair it.

So now I have no idea what to do next. I'm not concerned about my personal files, I just want my computer to work even if everything is deleted. I have no Vista installation disc or recovery disc aside from what I downloaded. And my computer knowledge isn't the greatest (obviously) so please help in any way you can. I really don't want to go spend a ton of money to get it fixed. Thanks so much!

Man, I hate to say it, but I would spend the $109 for a copy of OEM Vista Home Premium. The benefit of this one I linked is that is comes with a free coupon to upgrade it to Win7 when it is released.

If you take it to a shop, they will charge you more than that to "fix" it. What they will do is use an OEM copy that they have and re-install it using the keycode on your computer. You still won't have a disc if something happens again, and I'd bet they will charge you more than the $109.

First download a copy of a "disc nuker. " I use Heidi.IE (I know you'll have to use someone else's computer, but it will let you make a boot disc). I think most people use DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke). Insert the bootable floppy in your floppy drive and let it run. It will erase everything on your hard drive and let you start over. Then install your Vista.

Remember, OEM means there is no free Micro Soft support, but their support is crap anyway. You are better off coming here and asking questions than asking Varkeneeth in Bangladesh, I mean calling MS customer technical (non)support.

Thanks so much for your help. I will attempt this and let you know. So if I nuke my computer and reinstall windows it will work for sure right? I don't want to risk damaging my computer anymore, especially if I am shelling out 110 dollars. Thanks again for your help!

Hello kgavelda,

Before shelling out that huge amount of money, I'd contact your computer manufacturer and explain the situation. They should provide you discs you can use to reinstall the system.

Orange Blossom