How to Recover Your MBR in Windows XP

Computer viruses can infect the files and software applications on your computer, requiring you to use an antivirus product to disinfect them. However, viruses can also attack the Master Boot Record---or MBR. When a virus has damaged or deleted the MBR, Windows XP will no longer boot, preventing you from running antivirus software. If your MBR has been damaged, you can still recover your MBR in Windows XP if you have the original Windows XP product CD.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Place your Windows XP product CD in the CD drive. Start your computer. Your computer will boot using the data on the Windows XP CD instead of trying to read data on the hard drive with the damaged MBR.

2. Press keys as prompted while the setup program initializes until the "Welcome to Setup" screen is displayed. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press the "R" key to choose the "Repair" option. This will launch the "Windows XP Recovery Console."

3. Type the number displayed in the "Recovery Console" for the hard drive you want to fix. If you only have one hard drive, the number will be 1.

4. Type the password for your Windows XP administrator account if you are prompted to do so.

5. Type fixmbr at the command prompt in the Recovery Console, then press the "Y" key to confirm. The Recovery Console will begin the process of recovering your MBR.

Tips & Warnings

• Run your antivirus software immediately after you have recovered your MBR and restarted Windows XP.
• Changing your MBR in any way, including attempting to recover your MBR, can result in the loss of all the data on your hard drive. Therefore, only attempt to recover your MBR if there is no other option, or if directed to do so by a qualified computer professional.

References

• Information on using the Recovery Console to recover the MBR from Microsoft