Boot Record Kaput

[shaky]

I'm posting this on behalf of a friend who is unable to use her own computer.

Following a normal power-on self test sequence on an XP-home system the following error message is present:



searching for boot record from IDE-0=ok
ctl alt del to restart

So, can the boot record be repaired and if not can someone be kind enough to post an idiots guide to re-installing the operating system without destroying everything else on the disc.

A successful solution to this problem will earn me many Brownie points here so I'm relying on you guys.

[spork]

The first part, "searching for boot record from IDE-0=ok" is actually reporting no problem, as IDE 0 (zero) is your first physical drive. The latter part, "ctl alt del to restart" is odd. Do you have any other clues/error messages than this? Any recent problems other than this?

[TopBunk]

You should be able to change the bios boot sequence to boot from a floppy or a CD. There is then a dos command which may be format c: /mbr or something like that - I'm sure someone will oblige with the actual command line.

I had to do this once a few years ago, the /mbr switch means 'make boot record'. This could be the answer to your friends problem?

[Memetic]

I'd try booting from something like a Knoppix (http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/) CD and if you can access the drive save a back up of all the vital data. Then attempt to fix the drive, there are various tools included in the Knoppix distribution. Having made a back up of the important stuff the risk is lower when the tinkering starts. :D

Some guides on using Knoppix for recovery:

http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix/

http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-knopx.html


A few suggestions for you gleaned from the web...

From : http://www.computing.net/windows2000/wwwboard/forum/59766.html

Boot the computer and push F4 to enter the start up menu. then select last known good configration, this should fix your problem. Have a nice day.

From : http://forums.devhardware.com/archive/t-23968

I had a similiar issue with an HD that had 18GB of mp3 (some very rare) on it... I used an application called Stellar-Phoenix (www.stellarinfo.com ) if you can get the hd to be recognized in Device Manger, then you should be able to retrieve the data. The nice thing about this product is the demo version will tell you if the program can even retrieve your lost data before you have to go out and buy the license. They have separate versions for NTFS and FAT filesystems. It worked for me, and hopefully it will work for you. BTW - the license was $100 US for NTFS, and a little less for FAT.

Good luck!

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

shaky,

Have you added any RAM lately or done anything else inside your case?

(I would make sure the ribbon is fully attacked on both ends. Mobo and Hard Drive.)

If you have not added any RAM and the ribbon is on the Hard Drive securely, I would boot with the WinXP CD and go into Recovery Console. In there I would run FixMBR:

fixmbr device name

(In this care device name would be the drive letter of your Hard Drive.)

Take Care,

Richard

[shaky]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have already tried most of them. I could not get any time to have another look today but I had already begun to suspect the ribbon cable scenario as proposed by Richard. The case has not been opened but I can remember the same thing happening to one of my own boxes a few years ago.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

shaky,

What happened when you tried FIXMBR?

Your next option would be to use the WinXP CD to do a Repair.

Take Care,

Richard