Bootmgr error on old laptop

you can boot from DVD like Hiren’s BootCD PE (Preinstallation Environment) and recover you files.

Vantec makes one but you will need to add power (molex connector)

https://www.amazon.ca/Vantec-SATA-IDE-Adapter-CB-ISA225-U3/dp/B01E7EPKUO/ref=sr_1_1/139-0668131-7208905?ie=UTF8&qid=1542946781&sr=8-1&keywords=ide+to+usb+adapter

that won't work. I have similar.  I need ATA100 interface.  44 pin IDC connector type.

I may try Fethis recovery solution.  just not sure if CDROM works there still.

Here is another adapter that might work. Or grab an older pc that has IDE interface.
https://www.amazon.ca/44-Pin-Female-Male-SATA-Adapter/dp/B004E5J0NA

The drive may actually be dead it has certainly gone past its design lifetime

keep the HDD connected in the laptop, download wither windows PE or Ubuntu Linux https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0, make the iso bootable with Rufus https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v3.3/rufus-3.3.exe then plug the USB in the computer and boot from the USB.

another option is to unplug the HDD and connect it to another computer (desktop) and make it slave or secondary

another third option as mentioned above is to use an external connector.

here a bootable Knoppix  iso  http://knoppix.net/      
5 best bootable live cd's :  https://www.slant.co/topics/859/~best-system-rescue-discs-for-windows
pick your choice

Hi,

You say very old laptop. What version of Windows is it running?

You can get an external interface for a couple of bucks so you can connect through usb.

Cheers

I have a Sabrent 3.5 inch SATA / IDE (44 pin) enclosure with power supply and USB connection to computer that I got at a local electronics store. Works fine. Startech (https://www.startech.com/ca/) has these also.

What's the bootmgr error?

bootmgr is missing error.
I think its was running windows XP.

So try the carrier I recommended to attach the drive to a working computer

hi john can you send me a link please.  Amazon or Ebay etc.  thx

What are your start up options after pressing F8?

The Sabrent I have is on this Amazon page.

https://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sabrent+enclosure&tag=googcana-20&index=aps&hvadid=208383585040&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17217719548802696404&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000826&hvtargid=kwd-300077839422&ref=pd_sl_35q5nmdeeq_e

another one  -    https://www.amazon.com/Converter-External-Universal-Function-Software/dp/B00EHDTRJ6
yes

Sorry for the delay.  Let me try to fix it with install CD first.  Maybe that will work.

if it works will depend on the actual problem of the HDD
you can end  with more problems than you  started with

Thanks nobus.  Make sense.
Just making sure, this is the laptop HDD I need to recover old photos.  Attached.

So no F8 options at boot?

Haven't tried that yet.  Removed HDD:)

the drive is set as a SLAVE it must be set as MASTER or Single  -- remove the jumper

There is no jumper on.

Sorry for the delay.  Still looking into how to recover that old drive.  Just looking to get right device for that.

Hi,

sorry Nobus I didn't notice you already mentioned my answer.

Cheers

Hi,

by the way the drive is set as Master (no jumper) i.e. when connected with a second drive set as slave (with a jumper) on a regular ide cable in a pc, it will show up as C:\

Cheers

Can't tell from newegg picture.  Just want to make sure its a ATA100 interface, 44 pin IDC connector type.
For the interface in the picture I posted.  
 
Oh, and looks like its out of stock on newegg :(

Hi,

Yes it's an ata-100 drive with the 44 pin idc.

Cheers

Cool. Let me try amazon or ebay.  Thanks!

Drive has a male IDC 44 pin connector.  So I need a female adapter.  So something like this would work?  

https://www.ebay.com/i/220918351259?chn=ps

i suggest some like this :  https://www.amazon.com/USB-Cable-Adapter-2-5-Inch-3-5-Inch/dp/B000I0VIYE

or better :  https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-USB-SATA-Adapter-USB2SATAIDE/dp/B000VS4HDM
this one can be used also for Sata drives

Nobus, I don't think this is what I need.  My HDD is IDC 44 pin male.  I need a female connector I think.

Will do gimme a day. Thx.

you can also run a diag on the disk ( you find all diags on the UBCD)
i usually run also HDDRegenerator on such drives, in most cases, they are repaired, and do boot again
http://www.dposoft.net/hdd.html

These are better pictures of what I have for the HDD and for the connectors (IDE and SATA)  Attached.
 Please suggest something to connect to those that I have from that HDD to recover data.  Thank you!
IDC1.png
IDC2.png
sata1.png
IDE1.png
IDE2.png

you need an adapter to go inbetween
http://www.cablesonline.com/44pinbomatom.html

Doesn't look like the one I need.  I need something to connect that ATA 100 male IDC 44 pin to the IDE or SATA that I have.

you have to convert from the notebook connector to a standard idc connector.
another adapter https://www.ebay.com/itm/Monoprice-7641-Laptop-2-5Inch-to-Desktop-3-5Inch-IDE-Hard-Drive-Adapter-/231406750545

You also need the standard usb - ide 44 pin adapter

I'm not sure I want to touch that old laptop.  I want to deal with that HDD independently, outside that laptop.  Too old to touch it.

HDD is Hitachi Travelstar DK23EA-20
Inerface ATA-100 with 44 pin IDC connector type.

Got it.  So you think there's an adapter left inside the laptop that connects that IDC 44pin connectoron HDD.  I'll take a peek a little laterthis week.  Thanks!

Oh so you think its an adapter, and not part of the HDD itself.  I'll double check this later.

Hi,

yes you don need it, just remove it like I mentioned earlier so the drive will fit an external IDE drive bay and you're set.

Cheers

Thanks guys, I'll see if its removable when I get to it, this weekend.
Update.  Looks like it is removable.  Thanks nobus!!

Let me see if I can attach it to USB that way and backup data.  Will update soon.  Thanks.

tx for the update - it is much simpler than you thought - in the end...

exactly.  Didn't think about it.
Thank you!!

Yes. I'm glad I suggested removing it a long time ago.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29127141/Bootmgr-error-on-old-laptop.html?anchorAnswerId=42744804#a42744804

Then nobus said it wasn't removable and now says it is...Lol

i can't see where i said it was not removeable???? i Always said to remove it

@Nobus.
After I said it was removablr you jumped in and said it wasnt. Then more comments were made then you said it was removable. Look back on all the comments.
I clearly asked jer/him to remove it long before you. Thanks.

no you said i " By loooking at the pictures it looks like a sata jumper is on the drive."  it is no sata jumper, it is a sata adapter to a propietary disk connector, as HP used often

Exactly nobus. I said it was a sata jumper and that it was removable.