What is Digg?144 Comments
- chris9902, on 01/16/2008, -12/+82put in the Windows CD. press R to get the command prompt, select your HDD then type "fixmbr"
how would you get a LiveCD if your computer can't boot? - KyjL, on 01/16/2008, -2/+34fixmbr?
- MWeather, on 01/16/2008, -4/+28"how would you get a LiveCD if your computer can't boot?"
How would you get a Windiows CD? Buy one? Like that'll happen. - tarquell, on 01/16/2008, -3/+25you have a floppy drive?
- r00t3d0ut, on 01/16/2008, -5/+26i cannot believe how ignorant some people are regarding linux. i've saved countless client's information from their crashed windows machine by using livecd's such as knoppix and ubuntu.
- arsgeek, on 01/16/2008, -3/+23Or this could be for techs like myself who always seem to have a LiveCD in their bag but don't always have an XP or Vista cd/dvd hanging about.
- netdroid9, on 01/16/2008, -2/+21There are other ways to screw up your MBR than intentionally changing it, you know
- PleaseJustDie, on 01/16/2008, -0/+18If the only OS you have installed is windows (XP and below, not sure if this would work with vista) you can use a windows 98 boot disk and fdisk /mbr from the command prompt.
- grimfandango, on 01/16/2008, -1/+15it's not ignorance, it's understanding that most people don't know much about fixing their MBR and even less about wtf linux is.
- selrahc, on 01/16/2008, -2/+15Recovery CDs actually seem to be pretty rare now. A lot of computer just come with a recovery partition, you have to pay an extra $30 to get a cd.
- MooD2, on 01/16/2008, -0/+12Live Linux CDs are great help when rescuing important files, but i still prefer using 98 boot disk to fix broken MBR.
- grimfandango, on 01/16/2008, -2/+14p.s. you get a gold star for being such a diddly hole.
- grimfandango, on 01/16/2008, -1/+12must be drafty.
- delrin500, on 01/16/2008, -3/+14Or you can just build a Windows98 boot floppy and type fdisk /mbr
I had to do it yesterday on a Win2000 box - Darkshine, on 01/16/2008, -0/+11Don't copy that floppy!
- MeatBiProduct, on 01/16/2008, -0/+10i've yet to make a friend that has a linux install CD sitting around. I have them sitting around so maybe I'm that friend....
- daizaru, on 01/16/2008, -2/+11It's a nice alternative but it's not like it can't be done with a windows cd either. Maybe the title should just leave the word "windows" out altogether.
- dupswapdrop, on 01/16/2008, -1/+10Just do the old mac fix from the 80's hold computer about 1 foot above table slam down on table top hard as you can. There now your bits are reset. Try to reboot if no boot repeat!
- rubbsdecvik, on 01/16/2008, -0/+9While I don't carry a XP disk around with me, I do carry my USB flash drive with SystemRescue Linux on it. I've fixed about 3 XP machines with it because they wouldn't boot, and I'm only a student in college. Many laptops do NOT ship with XP or Vista CD's anymore. If they do, many college students don't bring it with them when they go to college. This is something that is very helpful.
- grimfandango, on 01/16/2008, -1/+10how are you going to ask them to send you a cd? you can't get on the net to ask. pff.
- xpgpx, on 01/16/2008, -1/+9What the hell is everyone so hostile for? "Hey look at me I know way more then you so I’m gonna call you out and cut you down" is this freaking High School. If you have something to say that contradicts the opinion of another trying convincing the person NICELY. Does anyone catch the irony of this comment? Please tell me yes. And don’t give me that "that isn't irony" bull *****.
- cawpin, on 01/16/2008, -0/+8No, you just have to MAKE the recovery CD when you get the computer.
Also, most of the time "fixmbr" won't do it by itself. You also have to issue "fixboot". - sooska, on 01/16/2008, -1/+9mirror?
- deionm, on 01/16/2008, -1/+8i cannot believe how arrogant some people are regarding linux. i've saved countless client's information from their crashed windows machine by using the windows recovery console and WinPE (or BartPE for those that cannot get the license).
at home i use both, but at work, i'm not going to go out of my way to use linux just because i can. boot to recovery console --> choose your windows partition -->fixmbr. done. - orangefly, on 01/16/2008, -0/+7that fix is much more permanent....
- spyrochaete, on 01/16/2008, -0/+7The recovery partition can be nice, actually. It takes about 15 minutes to restore the factory preset image instead of you having to spend hours installing the OS, software, and drivers. The worst thing about recovery partitions is that you have to uninstall all the spyware and trial software that Dell shoves down your throat.
- inactive, on 01/16/2008, -1/+8Super Grub CD is my favorite fix.
- spyrochaete, on 01/16/2008, -0/+7I'm a freelancer too and I never bring my own commercial software with me. There's nothing more pathetic than a client begging you to pirate your personal software for them.
- arsgeek, on 01/16/2008, -1/+7Yes. I'm a freelance tech who often finds that I'm at a friends house, or relatives, or friend of a relative at a moments notice, without my work gear. They have a 3 year old PC with no idea where their XP/restore disk is because they 'filed' it away when they purchased the computer. I have an Ubuntu cd on me as there's always on my person (well, in my car). End of problem.
Could I stick an XP cd in my car? Sure, but why bother? - Speed, on 01/16/2008, -0/+5Ever try installing Windows XP on a SATA drive without a floppy? Not fun.
- cyberoidx, on 01/16/2008, -1/+6So you'd wait like days (months) for Canonical to send you cd's? ***** MBR mate, i'd buy a new computer in that much time.
- grimfandango, on 01/16/2008, -1/+6real people. in the real world. doing real jobs. to pay for their real homes and families.
thanks for your waste of space comment. - chris9902, on 01/16/2008, -2/+7well if you have Windows installed I'm guessing you have a CD. It didn't just magically fly onto your hard-drive.
And every PC or Laptop you buy comes with a recovery disk. There's more chance you'd have a Windows CD than a Linux one. - theaceoffire, on 01/16/2008, -0/+5That is not always a solution for XP/Vista pre-installs. While anyone can get a live cd, not everyone can get free Window's cd.
- Eddible, on 01/16/2008, -1/+5Haha, witty.
- Joners, on 01/16/2008, -0/+4Nice alternative to having to use a windows disk, most people that I know outside of the normal tech circles dont own windows disc and have some pre-imaged restore CD ship with their PC, so nice to have another alternative to use.
- spyrochaete, on 01/16/2008, -0/+4That's a motherboard issue, similar to USB keyboards not working at the BIOS. My last 2 motherboards didn't require any special blue screen SCSI driver to install XP on my SATA hard drive from my SATA DVDRW.
Besides, floppies are for suckers. 3 motherboards ago I just burned a custom image of XP with nLite (http://www.nliteos.com/). nLite lets you inject boot, pre-install, and post-install drivers, software, disable XP features, and much much more. It's one of the best, most professional free apps I've ever used. - RobotBanana, on 01/17/2008, -0/+4As someone who just today had to repair an MBR on a laptop with SATA drives (without easily available drivers) and no floppy drive, I thank you for this article. It was a big help.
- sirhomer, on 01/16/2008, -1/+5The average Digg IQ is about 80, and it drops to 60 when there is the word "Windows" in the title of a news story.
- cyberoidx, on 01/16/2008, -0/+4as someone else said (2) fixmbr doesn't solve problems all the time, to make sure just add fixboot.
And if you really have a PIBKAC problem, just use the foll commands, hit enter for new line.
chkdsk /r
fixboot
fixmbr - Murdats, on 01/16/2008, -1/+4Im sorry, I am an idiot.
I was meaning MFT not MBR - yule, on 01/16/2008, -2/+5It works well if you have Windows on the disk first, and then let Ubuntu's installer find it and include it in grub. Getting rid of Ubuntu and keeping Windows calls for what's described here.
- phr0ze, on 01/16/2008, -3/+6Digg this bastard down. The immature prick.
- jgtg32a, on 01/16/2008, -1/+4What is Knoppix is that some sort of Ubuntu?
- mahdaeng, on 01/16/2008, -0/+3You take your Vista box golfing with you?
- yule, on 01/16/2008, -1/+4Unless you only have windows to load. Then there's no point to using GRUB, as the bootloader from windows will be there anyway.
- cyberoidx, on 01/16/2008, -0/+3fixboot ftw.
- rabiddachshund, on 01/16/2008, -1/+4Or that people would actually read some comments before posting. I think this makes 4 times that the same thing has been said.
- BassJunkie, on 01/16/2008, -1/+4Most people have already mentioned the recovery console method, the only problem with this is in assuming all windows users have access to a windows installer disc. I've seen plenty of laptop's and PC's from high street retailers, only a few of them actually come with a windows CD. Most won't even come with a disc now and opt for a HDD based recovery and some use ghost which means you don't get a windows disc so no recovery console!
In which case you have to either use a live cd or get a copy of someone else's disc. Besides most of the repair lines would probably recommend a re-image at this stage anyway :-P - known, on 01/16/2008, -3/+6How frequently do you need to fix Windows MBR?
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