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    How to restore MBR for Vista?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by noxxle99, Oct 18, 2007.

  1. noxxle99

    noxxle99 Notebook Deity

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    Is this as simple to do as it is with XP? Put in the boot cd, go into recovery mode, and type fix mbr (or something like that)?
     
    noxxle99, Oct 18, 2007
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  2. solargaze27

    solargaze27 Notebook Consultant

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    It is really easy to restore the MBR for Vista. You can read about it at Microsoft's own support page here.

    Cheers!
     
    solargaze27, Oct 18, 2007
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  3. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    Is there another problem that's causing you to have to? Maybe we can help with that so you can keep Linux around.
     
    Ethyriel, Oct 18, 2007
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  4. chimpanzee

    chimpanzee Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you have the right stuff. My Vista DVD(comes with the notebook) don't have that option so it is either let it zap my whole disk(restore to factory content) or no way.
     
    chimpanzee, Oct 18, 2007
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  5. noxxle99

    noxxle99 Notebook Deity

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    it says the /fixmbr option "his option does not overwrite the existing partition table." Does that mean that I could potentially lose data by using the bootrec option?
     
    noxxle99, Oct 18, 2007
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  6. solargaze27

    solargaze27 Notebook Consultant

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    I have used "bootrec /FixMbr" and "bootrec /FixBoot "in the past when I have wanted to restore Vista's MBR and wipe out GRUB (although I am coming to like GRUB a lot more than Vista's boot manager). I have never lost data using either of these commands. However, as to whether it is possible, I honestly don't know. I would imagine if you are working with the MBR, there is always a chance that something could go wrong. If you are able to access your hard drive in some form, I would recommend backing your important documents up as a general precaution.
     
    solargaze27, Oct 18, 2007
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  7. noxxle99

    noxxle99 Notebook Deity

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    Solar do you know how to change the default booting OS with grub? I tried changing the line that says "default 0" to 5 and 6 (as suggested in the ubuntu forums), but this didnt work.
     
    noxxle99, Oct 18, 2007
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  8. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    '0' is just the first active (non-commented) entry. Count to your Windows entry from there. I would guess 3 or 4.
     
    Ethyriel, Oct 18, 2007
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  9. littleasian

    littleasian Notebook Consultant

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    which command do i use to get mbr installed on a vista computer?
    /fixmbr or /fixboot?

    also, does anyone know if i can use the vista upgrade cd in order to fix the mbr?
     
    littleasian, Oct 18, 2007
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  10. solargaze27

    solargaze27 Notebook Consultant

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    As Ethyriel said, you need to count down in GRUB to see whatever you want the default boot to be. The one thing to note though is that you do not count the line that says something like "Other Operating Systems." So, if you want to make Vista your default boot, then you would count down from the top to Vista/Longhorn but exclude the title line right above Vista/Longhorn. On my computer that ended up being 4 down.
     
    solargaze27, Oct 19, 2007
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  11. solargaze27

    solargaze27 Notebook Consultant

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    I do not know if you can use the Vista upgrade CD as I have a retail copy of Vista. What you need is to be able to get into Microsoft's command prompt. If you can get into Microsoft's command prompt through the upgrade CD then you can use the bootrec command. Bootrec /fixmbr will write a Vista MBR to the active partition. Bootrec /fixboot will right a new boot sector to the active partition that is compatible with Vista. I had to use both commands when I managed to destroy Linux beyond my ability to repair (I was dual-booting Linux and Vista) to get rid of GRUB and get back into Vista.
     
    solargaze27, Oct 19, 2007
    #11