How to Fix the XP Boot Record Without a CD
The master boot record is the set of data on the hard drive that XP computers are hard-coded through the BIOS to load when the computer is turned on. It is critical to the startup process, and if it becomes damaged in some way, the computer likely cannot start.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Make a Bootable Floppy Disk
-
1
Insert the floppy disk into the functioning computer.
-
2
Click the "Start" menu and "My Computer." Right-click the "A:\" drive and click "Format." Click the "Create an MS-DOS Startup Disk" checkbox and click the "Start" button in the Format window.
-
-
3
Download the MbrFix utility (see Resources section). It is a small .exe file. Copy this file to the floppy disk. This is the utility you will use to repair the boot record.
Repair the Master Boot Record
-
4
Remove the floppy disk from the functioning computer and insert it into the floppy drive of the computer with the damaged boot record.
-
5
Start the computer and allow it to boot from the floppy drive.
-
6
When you see an MS-DOS prompt that reads "A:\>," enter the following command:
mbrfix /drive 0 fixmbr
This will begin the repair process. If you have more than one hard drive, change the 0 in the command to the appropriate number. For example, if your second hard drive is the boot hard drive, you would enter 1 rather than 0.
-
7
Remove the floppy disk and restart the computer. The master boot record should be restored.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Although this method should work, it is always better to repair a Windows installation with a proper Windows installation CD. Try to find yours before resorting to this method.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit floppy disk image by cegli from Fotolia.com
