Repair Windows – Master Boot Record and Boot Sector
Version: 45.2
Revision: 36 Build 78
How to repair Windows’ Master Boot Record and Boot Sector
Introduction: this guide will help you to repair corrupted boot files or missing boot files.
However, you’ll need a copy of “Windows XP CD” with “Microsoft Recovery Console” utility.
Part 1: Launch Recovery Console and repair master boot record.
1.] Insert a live – bootable disk.
Notes: watch for a “Press any key to boot from CD…” message when your computer is booting up!
2.] When you launch Windows XP you’ll need to press ‘F3’ to access the Recovery Console.
3.] Select a windows installation directory.
Notes: if you only have one Windows installation you will need to press “1″.
1: C:\WINDOWS
Notes: Recovery Console will load and will prompt you to enter your local administrator’s password.
This is often different from the domain administrator’s password.
Once you enter the password, you’ll be taken to a command prompt…
3.] Type this command…
Fixmbr <device_name>
Notes: you’ll need to replace “<device_name>” with your master drive. This is normally “C:\” as your default drive with “Windows” directories. Here is an example…
fixmbr C:
This will repair any broken “master boot record” from your “Windows” directory.
Tips: if you only have one operating system you can type this command…
Fixmbr
4.] If you’re finish with the repair, you can stop at this stage and use this command….
a.] Take out the Windows XP CD
b.] Type: exit
c.] Press ‘Enter’ to restart your PC
If you would like to continue and repair your “Boot Sector”, please look at “Part 2”…
Part 2: Repair Boot Sector.
1.] After part 1, you’ll need to type this command…
Fixboot C:
Alternative: If there is only one hard drive, you can use this command…
Fixboot
2.] Press “Enter” and answer “Y” [without the quotes].
3.] When everything is done and completed, please take out the “Windows XP CD”.
4.] Type this command…
Exit
5.] Press ‘Enter’ to restart your PC
6.] Done!
Notes: If Windows XP won’t start, it might be linked to these issues…
a.] Damaged boot sector.
b.] Missing ‘ntldr’ or ‘ntdetect.com’ files.
c.] Corrupt ‘ntldr’ or ‘ntdetect.com’ files.
To resolve these issues, you can perform this fix by entering these command…
COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C:\
COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\
- Please replace the letter ‘X’ with your CD-Rom drive letter.
Notice: if you’re prompted to overwrite either of the two files, press Y.
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