The Error «A Disk Read Error Occurred» or «BOOTMGR is Missing» – How to Fix

While working with the computer, you must have seen a number of errors, and one of them can be A disk read error occurred. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart or BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart. Read this article on the causes behind these errors and how to fix them.

Errors like this can be triggered by many factors such as wrong BIOS configuration, a virus infestation, damage to the hard disk and so on. Here are some possible solutions:

Disable external storage devices

If there are any external devices connected to your computer, such as DVD or USB drives, disconnect them to see if the error appears again.

Check the connection

Although your computer worked all right last time, it doesn’t mean that it will work properly the next time you start it. It is quite possible that such an error can be caused by poor contact with the hard disk, so it’s a good idea to test the quality of connection.

Check the device with other PCs

In addition to a hard disk problem, other PC components may break down as well. That means that you should check the disk operability with another computer which is in good working condition.

Check the OS boot priority

Choosing a wrong bot priority in BIOS can also result in one of such errors. If your computer has several storage devices, you should check the boot sequence settings.

Restore MBR or boot sector

Damage to MBR, the Master Boot Record, can also cause read disk errors. To fix it, you will have to bot from a Windows installation disk or USB drive.

Click Next. Select Repair your computer.

Then Troubleshooting

Then Advanced options

Open the Command Prompt.

Type the commands:

bootrec /fixmbr

– to overwrite the master boot record (MBR)

bootrec /fixboot

– to write a new boot sector.

After restarting the computer, the operating system should boot properly. Learn more about automatic recovery in Windows from the video:

Update BIOS

If BIOS was not updated for a long time or you installed new computer parts, the outdated BIOS may affect how Windows boots. In the end, you may have to update it.

You can watch a video in our YouTube channel and see how to update BIOS.

Reset BIOS

In some situations, the problem can be fixed by resetting BIOS. You can do it in its settings or manually, be removing the corresponding battery.

Check the RAM

A malfunctioning RAM stick or slot can also generate the error A Disk Read Error Occurred.

You can find a good tutorial on that matter in one of our articles.

Run disk defragmentation

If you can connect the faulty disk to another PC, you can defragment it with the help of system-integrated utilities. Doing it can be one of the ways to tackle the problem with seeing the message A Disk Read Error Occurred.

Also, you can use other software tools as well, and you are welcome to learn more from the video:

Run CHKDSK command

Start the command prompt the way described in point 6, and type the following:

chkdsk disk name: / r, (for example, chkdsk с: / r), and press Enter.

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

How does a corrupted boot sector affect the boot process?

A corrupted boot sector can prevent a computer from booting properly. It can cause the computer to freeze, display a blue screen of death, or display an error message. It can also prevent the operating system from loading and cause the computer to enter an endless loop of reboots. In some cases, a corrupted boot sector can even cause the computer to become completely unresponsive.

What is the difference between a logical and physical error on a hard drive?

A logical error on a hard drive is an error that affects the data stored on the hard drive but does not affect the physical components of the hard drive itself. Examples of logical errors include file system corruption, accidental deletion of files, or a virus infection. A physical error on a hard drive is an error that affects the physical components of the hard drive itself. Examples of physical errors include bad sectors, head crashes, or motor failure.

What are some common tools that can be used to diagnose hard drive errors?

  1. CHKDSK: This is a Windows utility that scans and repairs hard drive errors.
  2. Hard Drive Diagnostic Software: This type of software can detect and diagnose hard drive errors.
  3. SMART Monitoring Tools: SMART stands for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. This type of tool monitors the health of a hard drive and can detect errors.
  4. Disk Scanning Utilities: These utilities scan the disk for errors and can be used to repair them.
  5. Drive Imaging Software: This type of software creates a copy of the hard drive, which can be used to restore the drive if it becomes corrupted.

Can a "disk read error" be caused by a faulty hard drive controller?

Yes, a disk read error can be caused by a faulty hard drive controller. The controller is responsible for reading and writing data to and from the hard drive, so if it is not functioning correctly, then the drive may not be able to read or write data correctly, resulting in a disk read error.

What is the purpose of the "bootrec" command in Windows?

The "bootrec" command is used to repair the Windows bootloader in the event of a boot failure. It can be used to scan for, and repair, corrupt system files, rebuild the BCD, and fix the master boot record.

Comments (13) #

  • Parth Gorde 2.07.2023 11:52 #

    i wanted to install windows 7 on my computer, I had got partition , so i have to clean a partition in disk 0, disk 0 had 2 partition 1, i did cleaning on disk0 partition 1, and partition 2 had data, now because of cleaning the partition 1 i mistakly cleans all the disk 0, so i want to recover the data from disk 0 partition 2 how to do it

    • Hetman Software 5.07.2023 10:00 #

      I'm sorry to hear about the accidental wiping of Disk 0 partitions. Recovering data after such an action can be difficult, but there are still a few steps you can take to recover your data:

      Stop using the affected drive: It is very important to avoid any further reading or writing operations to the drive to prevent overwriting the deleted data. Continued use of the drive may reduce the chances of successful data recovery.

      You can scan your files with the free version of Hetman RAID Recovery. It will show you the files it can find for recovery. The preview window will show you whether your files are corrupted or not.

      If all is well, you will be able to log in and recover your files.
  • Norman Strefling 3.09.2020 00:19 #

    Can a system backup be used to restore a computer that is experiencing a "disk read error"?

    • Hetman Software 3.09.2020 00:46 #

      No, a system backup cannot be used to restore a computer that is experiencing a "disk read error". This type of error usually indicates a hardware issue, such as a failing hard drive, and restoring from a system backup will not fix the problem. You will need to replace the hard drive or repair it in order to fix the issue.

  • Abraham Omohundro 2.09.2020 20:14 #

    How can a user prevent a "disk read error" from occurring in the future?

    • Hetman Software 2.09.2020 20:47 #

      1. Make sure the computer is free of dust and dirt.
      2. Check the SATA/IDE cable and make sure it is firmly connected to the motherboard.
      3. Check the hard drive for errors using a disk utility program such as CHKDSK.
      4. Make sure the BIOS settings are correct.
      5. Run regular disk defragmentation and disk cleanup.
      6. Make sure the hard drive is not overloaded with too many programs or too much data.
      7. Make sure the hard drive is not failing by running a diagnostic tool such as SeaTools.
      8. Update the BIOS and other system drivers to the latest version.
  • Jayden Kesteven 2.09.2020 16:19 #

    Are there any third-party software tools that can be used to repair the Boot Manager?

    • Hetman Software 2.09.2020 16:38 #

      Yes, there are several third-party software tools that can be used to repair the Boot Manager. These include Windows Boot Genius, Easy Recovery Essentials, Boot-Repair-Disk, and Boot Repair Tool.

  • Absalom Goulding 2.09.2020 12:01 #

    What is the process for repairing the Boot Manager using the Windows installation disk?

    • Hetman Software 2.09.2020 12:30 #

      Insert the Windows installation disk into your computer's CD/DVD drive. Restart your computer and boot from the disk. Select the “Repair your computer” option from the main menu. Select the “Troubleshoot” option. Select the “Command Prompt” option. Type the following command and press Enter: bootrec /fixmbr Type the following command and press Enter: bootrec /fixboot Type the following command and press Enter: bootrec /scanos Type the following command and press Enter: bootrec /rebuildbcd Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

  • Val Barsby 2.09.2020 08:50 #

    Can a damaged or missing Boot Manager cause a "disk read error" message?

    • Hetman Software 2.09.2020 09:20 #

      Yes, a damaged or missing Boot Manager can cause a "disk read error" message. This is because the Boot Manager is responsible for loading the operating system from the hard drive, so if it is missing or damaged, the computer will not be able to access the data on the drive and will give the "disk read error" message.

  • Maxim Cherniga 31.08.2020 22:35 #

    If you still have questions about fixing such errors as «A disk read error occurred» and «BOOTMGR is Missing», post a comment to ask us.

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