How to restore mbr so Windows XP will boot

[JMMM]

I have a Dell system, with Windows XP Pro. I installed a
second hard drive and installed Linux. However, I allowed
Linux to load the Grub bootloader ont he Windows XP disk.
Now, when I try to go into Windows XP, it gives me the
Dell utility diagnostics and I can;t get past it to
Windows XP Pro.

I think I need to reset the MBR. I have another WIndows
XP Pro system. Is there a way to create a boot diskette
from the "good" win xp pro system and use it to fix the
other one? I'd need some specific instructions.

Thanks, I hope!

 

[Dublevay]

Reboot from the Win XP Pro installation disk. Follow it through, and select
the repair options. One of the options will allow you to repair the boot
sector.

JW

 

[jch]

You can type help to see the available commands. Use fixmbr.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

Reboot from the Win XP Pro installation disk. Follow it through, and select
the repair options. One of the options will allow you to repair the boot
sector.

start, help, recovery console commands.

You need fixmbr (if the mbr is bad) and fixboot (if the partition boot
sector is mangled, which is possible).

Unless, of course, Dell have done something mystical with hidden system
restore partitions, in which case all normal bets are off (and it's 'ask
Dell' time).

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a Dell system, with Windows XP Pro. I installed a
second hard drive and installed Linux. However, I allowed
Linux to load the Grub bootloader ont he Windows XP disk.
Now, when I try to go into Windows XP, it gives me the
Dell utility diagnostics and I can;t get past it to
Windows XP Pro.

I think I need to reset the MBR. I have another WIndows
XP Pro system. Is there a way to create a boot diskette
from the "good" win xp pro system and use it to fix the
other one?

It is preferable to use the Windows XP CD (I think Dell provides a
'proper' one, and boot that - Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk.
Boot the XP CD and, instead of Setup, take the immediate R for Repair.
Assume any password requested is blank, and TAB over. USe the command
FixMBR

If that is not available on your CD, look for a Windows 98 startup
floppy (borrow, or download an image from www.bootdisk.com)

Boot that and give
FDISK /MBR

You will then need to work out some other way to get at the Linux.
Alternatively there may be a way in grub to set up a second boot item
there, to boot the XP partition - I don;t know grub, but that is
possible in the earlier lilo