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How to Repair a Corrupt MBR and boot into Linux

Posted by VISITOR on · 8 comments
All about Linux; By Ravi 		Mail this story
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This article pursues how to repair a Master Boot Record which has been overwritten by windows so that you can boot into linux. It lists steps to take so that you can get your GRUB or LILO boot loader back on MBR without pursuing a re-installation of Linux.

There are times when you inadvertently overwrite your Master Boot Record. The end result being that you are unable to boot into Linux. This is especially true when you are dual booting between windows and Linux OSes. Once when I was working in Windows XP, I accidentally clicked the hibernate button instead of shutdown. And windows somehow overwrote my MBR which housed the GRUB boot loader. At such times, it pays to have this cool tip at hand....

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Comments (8)

helios ·
It's stuff like this that resides (usually) on backwater, obscure websites to rot away. Kudos to LXER for recognizing the value of such articles. If nothing more, this particular piece deserves not only a bookmark, but a printed copy for future reference. Lots of New Linux Users panic when the mbr reaches "hosed" status. I know I did.

fortunately, my distro of choice, PCLinuxOS has written a script on the live cd to restore a cratered master boot record. Until other distros follow suit, this is an invaluable document.

helios
jdixon ·
From memory, Mepis also has a repair boot sector option. And, of course, with Slackware it's one of the setup options, so all you have to do is boot from the install CD, run setup, and reinstall lilo. Alternatively, one of the options when booting from the CD is to mount your system normally. Then all you have to do is run lilo. With Linux there are usually a number of ways to do things.
helios ·
With Linux there are usually a number of ways to do things......

Now if the rest of the friggin computing community would just get a clue.

Patience helios, following impatience leads to the dark side.
tuxchick ·
now helios, this linux-fanboyism and winduz-bashing is going too far. with windoze there also many ways to do things:

-BSOD -hard lockup without BSOD -email virus -Website cooties -spontaneous reboots -brand new fresh shiny exploits and conflicts after installing the latest Service Pack -vendor-sponsored spyware -"bad" spyware from the Wrong People -Trojan horses -rootkits -worms -Things that worked perfectly for months suddenly stop working, without any apparent cause

And so forth. So remember that the next time you feel the urge to praise Linux.
jimf ·
Yes helios, those red light sabers are really cool :D
dcparris ·
Gosh, TuxChick! You make me wanna rush down to Best Buy and pluck out $300-$400 for WinXP! Yeah, well, I'm broke. I guess poor 'ole Bill won't be able to take the wife and kid to Paris for dinner tonight.
helios ·
So remember that the next time you feel the urge to praise Linux....

In a moment of Lin-patriotism, I lost my professional bearing. It won't happen again, I promise. Now, just ignore the upcoming story about helios returning fire....ignore, ignore, ignore ;-)
bdumm ·
helios: all good things in all good time

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