Got "bootmgr is missing on booting. Downloaded a recovery disk. went through procedure after repair, system hung several minutes while trying to load 3 updates, updates not aparently loaded, then went to configure desktop, several more minutes and blank desktop. Ubuntu runs ok, and XP runs ok on same computer. Ideas please as all files on vista drive yet can not be found for vista backup or restore by recovery program.

neosmart, a link from this site. Vista was preinstalled and supposed to be backed up on the HDD accessable by F8. This all happened after creating a partition to put Windows XP. I have now been able to get the desktop back but in "default" mode by ctrl+alt+del and using task manager to run explorer. However, on booting F8 does not work, in fact the system is running as though tied down, wifi network is working. Looking at the installation from XP everything is there, all files and pics etc, but the repaired Vista does not find.

Does the Windows Vista user account have Administrator privileges?

and if it is a registered version then log off the system and then log in as an admin. after that right clock the internet explorer button and click on run as an administrator. then u can surf it....