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    Need help! (a copy of Dell MBR file)

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by susan966, Jan 23, 2008.

  1. susan966

    susan966 Newbie

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    Hello,

    My Dell E1505 laptop crashed and in trying to reinstall the operating system I lost the ability to use the Dell system restore process, which I have now determined that I need. (After reinstalling XP, half the hardware no longer works!) Having read everything I can find on the net on this problem, the most useful information being here
    www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm

    It seems that what I need is a copy of the MBR (main boot record?) file from a Dell computer running Windows XP. ("If your computer briefly displays the blue "www.dell.com" bar at the top of the screen during bootup, it has a working Dell MBR.")

    Can anyone help me with this? I believe that you would have to download this program (dsrfix)
    www.goodells.net/dell/restore/files/dsrfix.zip

    then boot your computer from a DOS boot disk after saving the mbrsaver program to the disk (mbrsaver is included in dsrfix; or you could create a boot CD from the dsrfix ISO file)

    then run the command "mbrsaver /s dellmbr.bin " to save the MBR sector, and send it to me.

    I know this is a lot of trouble to go to for a stranger, but if anyone can help me with this, I would be MOST grateful!!!!!

    Susan
     
  2. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    Before you go through all that, check to see if you have the Dell Resource CD. (Since you managed to install XP, I'm assuming that this disk came with your computer along with your XP cd) If you do, pop it in and follow the prompts to install the driver's you need to get everything running.

    If you don't-see if you can connect to the Internet in any way (Wired or Wireless) If so, go to the Dell support site ( support.dell.com and find your model-there you can download and install the driver's manually. Just make sure that Windows Firewall is turned on and that you only visit the Dell site, to ensure that your computer stays somewhat secure during this process.
     
  3. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Agree with booboo... and I'll add that if you're having hardware trouble, it may help to boot into "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking Support" to install the drivers.
     
  4. susan966

    susan966 Newbie

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    Hi Booboo,

    Thanks for the suggestion. That's what I've been working on for the last two weeks and still not able to find the right drivers for all the hardware I have. There is no specific info for my exact computer and it's basically only partly working. That's why I want to access the system restore partition.

    Susan
     
  5. capntang

    capntang Notebook Guru

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    Did you repartition and reformat the drive? If so, any "system restore" partition may have been erased. Restoring the Master Boot Record won't help you with that.

    It sounds as if you've already installed Windows successfully. As has been suggested, you'll still have to install device drivers for the hardware components that aren't readily recognized by Windows.

    Go to the following address:
    http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen

    If you have your service tag number, it's best to use that. If not, select the appropriate model matching your notebook. You'll be given the opportunity to select the appropriate operating system as well.

    Just download and install all the appropriate drivers and software referenced on that support page, and you should gain the use of all your hardware. You will need to know a few specifics - such as whether you have a Dell or Intel branded wireless card.

    You can download the files to another computer if your notebook is not currently connecting to the internet. Simply save the files to a USB drive or burn them to a CD in order to transfer them to your laptop.
     
  6. susan966

    susan966 Newbie

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    Thanks for the help, but as I said, I have already done all of that and the computer is not working properly. Looking up by service tag does NOT result in getting the right drivers for me. Yes I have the restore and utility partitions intact. I JUST NEED THE MBR IF ANYONE CAN HELP!!
     
  7. capntang

    capntang Notebook Guru

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    You sound really intent on getting that Master Boot Record backup...

    Unless you have modified the computer's hardware configuration since it was shipped from Dell, the drivers you need are located on that web page. I guarantee it. How are you so certain the drivers listed on that page aren't the correct drivers?

    When you say "the computer is not working properly," what exactly do you mean? Can you be more specific? Perhaps the original "crash" was caused by hardware failure and no amount of system restore or driver reinstallation is going to solve the problem.

    I'm sorry, I can't provide you with an MBR backup as I don't have one. I can assist you in locating the proper drivers, which is all you need anyway. The recovery image won't perform any miracles as all it does is restore a Windows XP image (which you've essentially already done by reinstalling) and install the proper drivers. It will contain the same drivers that are freely available on that support page, only the ones on that support page are likely more up-to-date.
     
  8. BlackRussian

    BlackRussian Notebook Deity

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    How to repair damaged Master Boot Records and boot sectors
    http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid68_gci1268124,00.html

    Dell drivers
    http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...SPIRONI6400/E1505&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
     
  9. violeta834

    violeta834 Newbie

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    Hi! I have the same problem and I am using the same tutorial.. did you find someone to give you the dell MBR file??

    Can you help me...??