Tallis Brig asked:
I Accidentally Screwed up my 80 Gig HDD with Windows ME. It seems i deleted my Master Boot Record. I have repeatedly tried to use “Fdisk /MBR” to repair the problem, but the command doesn’t seem to do anything. I can access all of my files using the DOS on my boot disk, but Windows still won’t boot up. I can, however, boot up Xubuntu using a live CD. If I Use the Xubuntu Install to disk feature, it gives me the option to create a new partition. Would Creating a new partition, and installing Linux Create a new MBR? Would that help get Windows ME going again? or would that only compound the problem?
December 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
It would fix the MBR, but the MBR would not point to the Windows ME installation. So there is no point in trying that.
Most likely the Fdisk function on the boot floppy you have is either corrupted or missing. Try creating a new floppy through someone elses computer.
Typing the command “fdisk /MBR” is exactly what you are supposed to do. Have you tried booting since you have done that?
When it actually runs, I don’t recall whether it tells you it fixed it or just goes straight to another DOS prompt. SO there is a chance that it worked, try booting.
If it is still messed up, try installing a fresh copy of ME without formatting. It should solve the issue.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
It will not repair your mbr but it will give you access to your windows me. Once you’ve got xubuntu installed, install the ntfs/fat32 configuration tool, that will allow you to access your entire windows partition, then you can repair your ME installation.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
all the suggestions above are good. However, I would try SLAX Linux. It has a MBR fix with it for windows. You can designate the area or let it go by itself. SLAX is an ISO CD boot. Worked for me.