Windows Vista - Windows XP Resetting the MBR - cursor blink at boot after recovery

After restoring a system via Ghost, which we are no longer using, or via ShadowProtect Version 3.0 (fixed in 3.1), one may need to reset the Master Boot Record (MBR) and Boot Sector on the new hard disk, replaced hard disk, or disk RAID array.

The key indicator that there is a problem is the blinking cursor in the top left corner of the screen after trying to reboot into the now recovered/restored OS.

The process has changed a bit as far as the command structure in Windows Vista versus Windows XP.

For Windows Vista:

1. Boot the Vista DVD
2. Choose the Repair option at the Install Screen (bottom left corner link)
3. Click on the Command Prompt option
4. bootrec /fixmbr [Enter]
5. bootrec /fixboot [Enter]
6. Exit [Enter]
7. Restart into the OS.

In Windows XP:

1. Boot the Windows XP CD
2. F6 if RAID drivers are required and install when prompted
3. Repair Windows
4. Logon to the Recovery Console
5. fixmbr \Device\HardDisk0 [Enter]
6. fixboot c: [Enter]
7. Exit [Enter]
8. Restart into the OS.

The system should then boot into the recovered OS with no issues.

Links:

• MS KB 927392: How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista
• MS KB 314058: Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console (provides an alternate way to get to the Recovery Console via the Startup folder on XP)
• Windows XP Product Documentation: Fixboot
• Windows XP Product Documentation: Fixmbr

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

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