MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record

How to Restore the Windows 7 MBR (Master Boot Record)​

   Information

If you have been dual booting with Linux, then you probably know one of the Linux boot managers like Grub or LILO has been installed in the MBR of your hard drive. What can you do when you no longer want Linux on that hard drive? This tutorial will show you how to use your 7 DVD and BOOTSECT.EXE to restore the "bootsector code" of the MBR and allow you to begin booting to Windows 7 again.

   Tip

You can use this method to update the bootsector code for Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 or switch between Bootmgr and NTLDR. Just check the Microsoft TechNet site for the correct command.

Here's How:1. Boot your computer to the Windows 7 DVD (or to a "Repair CD"). At this screen choose to install now.

2. Select your language and click next.

3. Click the button for "Use recovery tools".

4. Then select "Command Prompt".

5. When open, the command prompt will look like this:

6. The command we will use, bootsect.exe, is in a folder (named boot) on the DVD.We need to know what drive letter has been assigned the DVD drive to access the folder.

Type: [B]diskpart[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]
 
Type: [B]select disk 0[/B] (zero)
and press [B]Enter[/B]
 
type: [B]list volume[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]

In this screen shot, the 7 DVD is letter: G

7. Use your DVD drive letter and

Type: [B]exit[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]
 
to close Diskpart
 
Type: [B]G:[/B] (use the letter of your DVD drive)
and press [B]Enter[/B]
 
Type: [B]cd boot[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]
 
Type: [B]dir[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]

to verify that bootcect.exe is there (if you really need to)

8. To restore the "bootsector code":

TYPE: [B]bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]

NOTE: If this method fails to restore the MBR, you can try the bootrec command as it is also a tool for repairing the MBR.


9. When completed successfully,

Type: [B]exit[/B]
and press [B]Enter[/B]

This will close the command prompt window.

10. Now select Shut Down or Restart

11. Then you can reboot your computer into Windows.

Related Tutorials

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• How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7
• Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to Repair Boot Issues
• Repair CD - System Repair Disk
• System Repair Disc - Create
• System Recovery Options
• Advanced Boot Options
• Bootmgr is missing - Fix

 

[jraju]

Hi, iseeuu,
excellent tutorial on inner windows system.
But I have a doubt.
In environment mode, you are in x:\source, that media being a dvd or usb.
how commands in x: drive would fix the mbr in c: in the reserved partition?
or should we execute these commands by going to the c: from x: to correct the boot records?
Your tutorial also gives insight to how to view the inner boot folder details.
But please clarify my doubt.
Sometimes, when i access the advanced boot options, I find no Repair this computer listed
what that it means?
Whenever you install windows, the startup repair is preloaded with windows installation.
Microsoft says, that if the menu is not there, then it is not preinstalled with windows
please clarify those.
In short, if you have repair this computer menu in advance boot, then when you evoke command prompt from repair this computer menu in adv.boot,options, then you could use those commands like bootrec /fixmbr, rebuildbcd etc. or
otherwise, if you use the installation media, then you have to execute this command by going to c: from X: am i correct