BOOTMGR is compressed!!

[Nish07]

Hi all,

I'm new to VMware. I have a Windows Server 2008 R2 VM, and by mistake I compressed the hard disk to save disk space. I compressed the boot partition (C:). Now when I boot, it gives me an error 'BOOTMGR is compressed', and won't let me go past that message. What can I do to recover/uncompress my C: ?

Thanks in advance!

[continuum]

Try to boot with a 2008R2 Recovery CD - or with original media.
Then try to uncompress from the commandline of the BootCD.

Avoid using a regular working 2008 R2 to mount the vmdk - the RecoveryCD is much safer.
Create a snapshot so that you can revert in case you fail on the first attempt

[Nish07]

HI,

Thanks for your reply!

I'm having difficulty booting from the CD. I placed the CD in my CD-ROM, and changed the settings for my VM to Connect to CD. Then I changed the Boot Sequence to boot from CD -ROM. It does not work. The reason is that it can only read that CD when it Powers On, but my 'BOOTMGR' error is right during boot at the beginning.

So how do I make my VM boot from CD?

Thanks in advance!

[continuum]

create an iso from the CD and upload it to the datastore - thats is more reliable

[Nish07]

Hi Continuum,

I did as you suggested, but still have the same issue. Here's what I did.

I converted the Win Server 2008 R2 DVD to ISO and uploaded this ISO to the datastore.

Then in VSphere Client, I powered on my VM, went to Edit Settings> CD/DVD drive 1, under Device Type, I selected Datastore ISO file. I also checked 'Connect at power On'

I opened the Console and saw the 'BOOTMGR is compressed' error. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del. I pressed Ctrl-Alt-Del, and continue to the get the same error. I made sure that in the BIOS setup, I have CD-ROM at the top of the Boot Sequence.

Back in VShpere Client menu, I checked and when I click on the CD icon on top, it says 'Disconnect from datastore image', i.e., it's connected to the ISO.

Please advise.

Thanks!

[continuum]

How exactly did you create the iso ? - are you sure that it is bootable ?

[Nish07]

Hi-

You are right. It doesn't appear to be bootable. I'm trying to create a Boot CD from my Windows Server 2008 R2 DVD. Trying using Diskinternals.com.

Any ideas are welcome. Would really appreciate since I've been without access to my server for 3 days and work's getting affected.

[Nish07]

I created a BOOT ISO file from the Windows Server 2008 R2 DVD.

Here're the steps that helped me fix the error of 'BOOTMGR is compressed'

In VSphere Client, I powered on my VM, went to Edit Settings> CD/DVD drive 1, under Device Type, I selected Datastore ISO file, and picked the iso file I created above. I also checked 'Connect at power On'

Then I changed my Boot options to boot from CD-ROM.

ON startup, I went to Repair My Installation. Then pressed "Load Drivers" (Instead of "Next") and used the mini Windows Explorer to right-click the boot-drive (C:\ in my case), click properties and deselect "Compress this Drive" and choose Apply to sub-folders and files. It worked for me.

[zXi_Gamer]

>So how do I make my VM boot from CD?

In your VM Edit Settings>Options>Boot Options>Change the Power on Boot Delay to more than 10 seconds

or

In your VM Edit Settings>Options>Boot Options>Select Force Bios Setup Screen and click Ok.

Reboot the VM and in the BIOS screen select the first boot option as CD