Linux Format forums

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject: Win, Lin and the MBR

Hi all. I've been a bit of a Numpty.

I seemed to have deleted the MBR from my PC.
(I dual boot between XP and Ubuntu. & I stupidly just deleted the Linux
partition, without amending the bootloader...DOH!)

So anyway. I believe the solution is to insert the Windows disc,
then get to a command prompt and type "fixmbr"
However....I cant find my old administrator password anywhere.
(The origional administrator account went a bit screwey, so I created an new one.
But when I enter the password for the new admin acc, it doesnt work, So im assuming that
its wanting the "origional", admin acc password?)

Is there anyway to retrieve it, or bypass this stage so that I can actually
get to the dos prompt and type the actual command?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Fat_Tuesday · Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:14 pm Posts: 77

I've had this before - try leaving the password blank and just press Enter. Spent ages trying different permutations of my admin password and it wasn't asking for that one.

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks very much Fat_Tuesday.

Ive already tried that one.

But cheers anyway Very Happy

RedWillow · LXF regular Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 2:05 pm Posts: 716

Here are some alternative ways of restoring the Windows MBR:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/hermanzone/p18.htm

Super Grub Disk looks to be the best option. Take the ms-sys one with a large pinch of salt. It talks about installing ms-sys while using the live CD. Which is fine, except that ms-sys is not in the Ubuntu repos. Instead, you have to download it from here:

http://packages.debian.org/etch/i386/ms-sys/download

Whether it actually works, I don't know.

ollie · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 4:42 am Post subject: RE: Win, Lin and the MBR

Try using Petri's Recommended Password Reset Utility or PC Login Now to reset the password for "Administrator". Wink

majortomgb · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 8:38 am Post subject:

If you're normal user account had admin rights then you can just use that one

donoreo · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject:

You can use some of the utilities on the Ulitmate Boot CD to either reset or blank that password or to fix the MBR.
_________________
I cannot deny anything that I did not say.

GeordieJedi · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

Thank you Red Willow, Ollie, majortomgb, & Donoreo.

Its very much appreciated. I'll give 'em a go and let you know how I come on.

Cheers Very Happy

wyliecoyoteuk · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: RE: Win, Lin and the MBR

RedWillow · LXF regular Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 2:05 pm Posts: 716

GeordieJedi · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

Whey!

I now have a working PC! Thank you VERY much to all who responded.

I ended up using all of the tools, and creating 3 different .iso's.
Super Grub Disc, and FixMbr, were increadably useful.
But.....the most important thing is, I now have a working PC!

(All I wanted to do, was clean it, defrag it, strip out any old apps. Just so
I could install Linux and use it as a dual booting server).