How to Repair a Damaged Master Boot Record in Windows XP
Monday, September 3, 2007 15:42Posted in category Windows XP Tips
To fix your Master Boot record you will need the Windows XP CDROM. The CDROM has a tool called the Recovery Console, which is designed to help you repair a damaged master boot record or boot sector. To start the Recovery Console and fix your damaged MBR.
follow these steps:
- Place the Windows XP Setup CD in the CDROM and Restart your computer.
- You may be prompted to press any key to start the computer Windows XP setup. Otherwise it may try to boot from the hard drive and skip right past.
- Once the computer starts to load the Windows XP setup screen, you’ll see a prompt to press the R key to start the Recovery Console.
- When Recovery Console starts, it will prompt you to enter a number corresponding to the Windows XP installation that you need to repair. In most cases, you only have one installation of Windows XP so you’ll enter “1″.
- Important: If you press ENTER without typing a number, Recovery Console will quit and restart your computer without repairing the Master Boot Record.
- You may then be asked to enter your Administrator password. If you don’t enter the correct password, you cannot continue.
- When you receive the Recovery Console command prompt, type fixmbr.
- You will then be prompts to verify that you want to proceed.
- Select Yes.
Your damaged Master Boot Record will be replaced with a new Master Boot Record, and you should then be able to boot your system normally.
If replacing the Master Boot Recorded didn’t fix your error, its possible you may need to repair the boot sectors.
To repair the boot sectors repeat the steps above, but issue the fixboot command instead at the Recovery Console command prompt.
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Doug says:
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Hey Shawn,
Thanks for the tip. I had a MBR error and followed your steps and it seems to have fixed my problem. I do have one question? Should I go ahead and repair the boot sectors as well?
Shawn DesRochers says:
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Hello Doug,
You’re very welcome, I am glad I was able to assist you.
If your computer is booting fine you shouldn’t have to repair them.
My philosophy is don’t mess with something that’s not broken!
Take care,
Shawn DesRochers
Tal says:
February 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Will the above procedure also keep my files on the hard drive? If I recover the master boot file, will I be able then to access all my files?
David says:
November 20th, 2010 at 8:12 am
what’s wrong with an occasional “i love it” if you do..and if there is nothing more to say about the design..and it also sais a lot about the person who is commenting. (maybe he or she has nothing more tos ay about it than than,..or has a very limited vocabulary)