Restore mbr

I need to restore my mbr. The usual way would be to start the computer with
the instalation cd, use the recovery console. and then a fixmbr would do the
trick. Unfortunately I get the password error decribed here
http://support.microsoft.com/search/...;en-us;Q308402

When I contact Microsoft for the hotfix I get redirected to Dell, who send
me right back to Microsof.

Is there any way to restoe the mbr WITHOUT using the recovery console? any
tool available on the net?

You have got to restore the MBR while booting up from the CD (or floppy on
older versions of Windows). You can not modify a hard disk boot record when
you are using an operating system that is on the hard disk. By booting from
the CD the hard disk is inactive, and available for modification.

"Grizzly" wrote in message
.be...
I need to restore my mbr. The usual way would be to start the computer
with
the instalation cd, use the recovery console. and then a fixmbr would do
the
trick. Unfortunately I get the password error decribed here
http://support.microsoft.com/search/...;en-us;Q308402

When I contact Microsoft for the hotfix I get redirected to Dell, who send
me right back to Microsof.

Is there any way to restoe the mbr WITHOUT using the recovery console? any
tool available on the net?

"Crusty (-: Old ******* :-)" wrote in
message ...
You have got to restore the MBR while booting up from the CD (or floppy on
older versions of Windows). You can not modify a hard disk boot record
when
you are using an operating system that is on the hard disk. By booting
from
the CD the hard disk is inactive, and available for modification.

I don´t mind booting from a floppy or a cd. In fact it is the only way as I
can't start the OS on the hard disk. That is not the problem. The problem is
that the recovery console (wich I inevitably get to when booting fron the
installation cd or the set-up disks) does not work properly (it asks for the
administrator password and even though I give a correct password it does not
work. It is a known error, and it is supposed to have a fix, but there is no
way to get it!). I just wan' t to know how to boot and restore the mbr with
some other method. Maybe an old DOS disk with some modifications?. I have
also tryied to skip the console (when using the instalation cd), go directly
to install windows xp, it recognises that a pevious winxp instalation exists
and offers to repear it, but on restart I have the same problem, the mbr has
been left intact and has not been restored.

Download either Home or Pro, as appropriate, disk creation found in the MS
KB article you referenced.
Create the boot files to floppy (or you may actually use only one disk,
instead of the six). The file spcmdcon.sys dated 10/5/2001 is located on
disk 6 (thus the reason you really only need 1 floppy).
Copy that file to the (hidden) cmdcons folder.
Reboot, and enter Recovery Console. Enter installation to use (1) and
enter for Administrator password (blank). Recovery Console now operable.
Had to figure this out for the E-Machine Techs.


"Grizzly" wrote in message
.be...
I need to restore my mbr. The usual way would be to start the computer
with
the instalation cd, use the recovery console. and then a fixmbr would do
the
trick. Unfortunately I get the password error decribed here
http://support.microsoft.com/search/...;en-us;Q308402

When I contact Microsoft for the hotfix I get redirected to Dell, who send
me right back to Microsof.

Is there any way to restoe the mbr WITHOUT using the recovery console? any
tool available on the net?

"Grizzly" wrote in
.be:


"Crusty (-: Old ******* :-)" wrote
in message ...
You have got to restore the MBR while booting up from the CD (or
floppy on older versions of Windows). You can not modify a hard disk
boot record
when
you are using an operating system that is on the hard disk. By
booting
from
the CD the hard disk is inactive, and available for modification.

I don´t mind booting from a floppy or a cd. In fact it is the only way
as I can't start the OS on the hard disk. That is not the problem. The
problem is that the recovery console (wich I inevitably get to when
booting fron the installation cd or the set-up disks) does not work
properly (it asks for the administrator password and even though I
give a correct password it does not work. It is a known error, and it
is supposed to have a fix, but there is no way to get it!). I just
wan' t to know how to boot and restore the mbr with some other method.
Maybe an old DOS disk with some modifications?. I have also tryied to
skip the console (when using the instalation cd), go directly to
install windows xp, it recognises that a pevious winxp instalation
exists and offers to repear it, but on restart I have the same
problem, the mbr has been left intact and has not been restored.



Download a Windows 98 boot floppy he

http://www.bootdisk.com

Use fdisk /mbr

Heed the warnings he

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=69013

and he

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?
url=/technet/columns/bong/winxppro/default.asp