How To: Recover the Boot Record in Windows XP

Author: Cezar Renta

Aug 6th, 2008

What is the Boot Record?

Every partition has its own boot record. The boot record is used to store the first bits of software executed. Also, the boot record holds instructions needed to start Windows XP.

In some occasions, the boot record can be altered or damaged by an user error, damaged software or different types of malware or viruses.

The boot record can be fixed easily via the Windows Recovery Console using the “fixboot” command. The fixboot command has only one argument, the drive letter of the partition on which you want the boot record fixed.

Example: fixboot d:

If the user omits the drive letter argument of the fixboot command , the fix will be applied to the current partition drive.

Entering the Recovery Console is also easy, all you need to do is boot with a windows xp boot disk. When the system boots, you will be presented with 3 choices:

1. To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

2. To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

3. To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press the “R” key and choose the Windows Installation drive.

santanu

run the control panel ,but no icon present in the panel.how to display in the control panel icon? pls urgently recover the problem.

santanu
http://www.filecluster.com Cezar Renta

if you don’t have the Control Panel icon, you can go Start > Run then type control and press Enter..you should go to the Control Panel
r

I’m sorry, but this does nothing. When my computer is crashed, I can’t type ANYTHING in it to make it boot up. Typing “fixboot” doesn’t make my computer come on and all of a sudden it works again. You have to boot up before you can type stuff! Hello!
http://www.filecluster.com Cezar Renta

Maybe if you read the tutorial…there is a line saying and I quote “Entering the Recovery Console is also easy, all you need to do is boot with a windows xp boot disk. “..wonder what that means? Hello!
http://www.best-registrycleaner.net Best Registry Cleaner

The fixboot command has only one argument.