Master boot record is first physical sector of hard drive that PC reads when booting up. The boot record has disk partition table and OS start up instructions. Master boot record can become damaged because of viruses and rootkits, power variations, hardware malfunction, or user error. Without a usable boot record, PC cannot start OS, and data is remote.

Boot Record Viruses

1.Boot record viruses are ordinary in older versions of Windows like Windows 95, 98, and ME. Few viruses and rootkits do cause problems with master boot records on new editions of Windows, containing XP and Vista. Infected websites can try to install rootkits on unpatched Windows OS. By using Windows Update to install vital system patches, users can avoid rootkit infections.

FixMBR Command

2. To solve boot record troubles on Windows 7 or Vista, users should utilize Windows Recovery Environment, which is enabled by running Windows installation disk. The other master boot record can be made by by \FixMBR command. A blue screen with a white cursor upon system start up may show an injured master boot record.

Backing up the Boot Record in Linux

3 Linux users can back up master boot record earlier than facing problems, and then utilize backup to restore hard drive's injured boot record. Linux users must know main hard disk's name and have administrator access. In case of master boot record problems, user can utilize a recovery software tool like Knoppix CD.

Boot Record Problems in Windows Dual-Boot Systems

4.Users who install both XP and Vista or 7 to a hard drive can face troubles because of master boot record and way in which OS boot. Users must install XP first. OS must live on individual hard drive partitions. Or else, installation program overwrites master boot record and makes Vista or 7 inaccessible.

Boot Record Problems in Windows XP

5 Windows XP PC may hang resting on start up if it is facing master boot record problems. Following POST and its associated beeps, screen will go black and no further action will happen. To solve this master boot record quandary, PC owner should utilize XP Recovery Console and fixmbr command.