A sudden power failure or a bad spot on a disk can cause the Master Boot Record to becom...

A sudden power failure or a bad spot on a disk can cause the Master Boot Record to become corrupted, preventing a computer from booting. In Windows XP/Vista/7, Windows Server 2003/Server 2003 R2, and Windows Server 2008/ Server 2008 R2, you can fix the Master Boot Record using the Recovery Console. This project gives you the opportunity to start the Recovery Console to see how to fix the Master Boot Record in these operating systems. For this project, you’ll need the installation DVD/CD-ROM for the operating system. Also, you will need the password for the Administrator account.

To view how to fix the Master Boot Record in Windows XP or Server 2003/Server 2003 R2:

1. Make sure all files are saved (and users are logged off of a server). Insert the DVD/CDROM for your operating system, but take no action if you see an installation start-up window. Shut down the operating system and computer.

2. Power on the computer, enabling it to boot from the DVD/CD-ROM.

3. After the Windows Setup program starts, continue with the installation process until you reach the Welcome to Setup screen. Press R (for repair) on that screen. In Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, this action takes you to the Recovery Console. Figure 4-26 shows the Welcome to Setup screen in Windows Server 2003.

4. Select the drive containing the \WINDOWS folder in Windows XP or the \Winnt folder in Windows Server 2003, such as by typing 1 to access the folder on drive C. Press Enter.

5. Enter the Administrator account password and press Enter.

6. The fixmbr command is used to fix the Master Boot Record from the command line. Type help fixmbr and press Enter to view the help information for this command. IF

YOU HAVE PERMISSION FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR ONLY, type fixmbr and press Enter.

7. Type exit and press Enter to leave the Recovery Console and reboot.

To view how to fix the Master Boot Record in Windows Vista/7 or Server 2008/Server 2008 R2:

1. Make sure all files are saved (and users are logged off of a server). Insert the DVD/CDROM for your operating system, so that you can boot from it after you shut down your computer—but take no action if you see an installation start-up window.

2. Shut down the operating system and computer.

3. Turn on the computer, and if necessary press the key combination to boot from the DVD/CD-ROM drive.

4. When the Install Windows window appears, make your selections for the Language, Time and currency, and keyboard or input method and click Next.

5. Click the link for Repair your computer (see Figure 4-27).

6. Ensure that the correct operating system is highlighted in the System Recovery Options box and click Next.

7. Select Command Prompt in the list of system recovery options.

8. If necessary, enter the Administrator account password and press Enter.

9. The fixmbr command is used to fix the Master Boot Record from the command line. Type help fixmbr and press Enter to view the help information for this command. IF YOU HAVE PERMISSION FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR ONLY, type fixmbr and press Enter.

10. Type exit and press Enter to leave the Recovery Console and reboot.