Master Boot Record problem

[CJW]

I'm working on my parents computer & after having to take most of it apart & put it all back together correctly, I'm now stumped at getting it to boot correctly. I've gone through a few diagnostic routes & it all came down to a faulty/corrupt Master Boot Record.

I am able to get into Safe Mode w/Command Prompt so I can see if there is anything I want to get off the drive before I try reformatting & reinstallation. Of course, I've found a bunch of files but I don't know how to copy them to a Flash Drive using the Command Prompt. I tried attaching my drive to theirs & booting into my OS, but that did not work for some reason.

So, how do I copy files to a Flash Drive while in Safe Mode w/Command Prompt. Also, Would Bootrec /FIXBOOT -or- Bootrec /FIXMBR help me?

I believe my parents computer is running XP Media Center Edition.

 

[genet]

Would Bootrec /FIXBOOT -or- Bootrec /FIXMBR help me?

It's a good idea to run both commands.

Here is more info: link

 

[RolandJS]

somebody posted this batchfile:
rem bootrec fixers
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /ScanOs
bootrec /RebuildBcd
exit

-- I never tried yet, so I can't verify what happens.

 

[Layback Bear]

What exactly does this mean from post #1?

I'm working on my parents computer & after having to take most of it apart & put it all back together correctly,

Check you boot order in the bios.

 

[RolandJS]

LaybackBear, my guess is that if computer is a desktop, the OP probably removed everything, reseated everything, and post/booted to determine if any honest error lead to hdw hiccup. If laptop, can remove and reseat HD and RAM.

Addendum: LaybackBear's reply gave some great places for OP to look over, to make sure of, and so on.

 

[Layback Bear]

Well I wasn't really looking for a guess.
What I'm looking for is information about the sata hard drive hook ups.
If they were changed the boot order could be wrong.
The system flag could also be wrong.

 

[CJW]

Thanks for the replies, sorry for the delayed update.

1. I booted the computer using my 7 installation media.
2. Brought up the Command Prompt.
3. Ran the following commands: (Resulting text is in parenthesis)

bootrec /fixmbr (The operation completed successfully.)
bootrec /fixboot (The operation completed successfully.)
bootrec /rebuildbcd (Scanning all disks for Windows installations.)
(Please wait, since this may take a while...)
(Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 0
The operation completed successfully.)

4. I then exited & restarted the computer. The boot logo displayed, then the computer just rebooted itself. After the computer went through this rebooting loop 3 times (I was trying to type this up on my laptop at the time) the Log On to Windows window came up. So I entered the password & SUCCESS!

Not sure why it stated-Total identified Windows installations: 0; but it did work, so I'm happy. I was able to copy the pictures & other files I needed to a flash drive & now going to rebuild my parents a computer using spare parts; they don't know this yet though

Question: when at the Command Prompt, should I have entered the commands when the display stated:
X:\Sources -or- go to C: first?

 

[genet]

Not sure why it stated-Total identified Windows installations: 0; but it did work, so I'm happy.

The bootrec /rebuildbcd command will search for Windows installations not included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and then ask you if you'd like to add one or more to it.

bootrec /rebuildbcd

The bootrec /rebuildbcd command will search for Windows installations not included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and then ask you if you'd like to add one or more to it.

You should see one of the following messages at the command line.

Option 1

Scanning all disks for Windows installations.

Please wait, since this may take a while...

Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 0
The operation completed successfully.

Option 2

Scanning all disks for Windows installations.

Please wait, since this may take a while...

Successfully scanned Windows installations.
Total identified Windows installations: 1
[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? Yes<Y>/No<N>/All<A>:

If you see:

Option 1: This result most likely means that Windows installation data in the BCD store exists but bootrec couldn't find any additional installations of Windows on your computer to add to the BCD.

Option 2: Enter Y or Yes to the "Add installation to boot list?" question.

 

[CJW]

genet:

Thanks for all the help. I copied what I needed & now going to build my parents a 'Frankenstein'. It won't be their main comfuser, just one the kids & grandkids can play on, so I won't need anything to beefy for them.

 

[CJW]

Update.
I was able to rebuild my parents computer (they don't know it yet) & everything is working good.

I was wondering if anyone can give me suggestions on how to get their XP Pro w/SP3 upgraded to 7 Pro w/SP1.
If I recall, I can't upgrade through Windows Update; but I need to get new media instead, correct?

 

[Layback Bear]

You can not upgrade from XP to Windows 7.

You must do a Clean install of Windows 7 and then activate it using the proper COA key.

Tutorial by Brink:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[CJW]

That's what I thought, thanks.