MBR Woes - Error 255/Error 8255 Error writing master boot record

[pressafrica]

Hi
I am receiveing the following error message and am at a loss to repair it: Error 255/Error 8255 Error writing master boot record

I was installing Redhat Linux 8.0 when it came up with an error during the install. It then shutdown and rebooted the machine. When you reboot and use FDISK/MBR it says : "Error writing fixed disk. The master boot code has NOT been updated"

When I run fdisk without the /MBR Switch I can see three partitions as listed:
partition: 1 status: a type: Non-DOS Volume label: (blank) Mbytes: 103 System: (blank) Usage: 1%
partition: 2 status: (blank) type: Non-DOS Volume label: (blank) Mbytes: 18206 System: (blank) Usage: 95%
partition: 1 status: (blank) type: Non-DOS Volume label: (blank) Mbytes: 768 System: (blank) Usage: 4%

I can not delete any of these partitions using fdisk. When I use the Partition Magic rescue disks I can see the following three Partitions:
*./boot Linux Ext3 103.3MB Used 12.1MB Unused 91.2MB Active Primary
*./ Linux Ext3 18206MB Used 708.3MB Unused 17496.8MB None Primary
*./ SWAPSPACE2 Linux Swap 767.8MB Used 0.0MB Unused 767.8MB None Primary

Again when I try resize, delete etc when I press the apply button I get the following error: Error#58 Unable to write to the boot sector. Virus protection software may be running. I do not have any virus protection software running nor is there a virus protection option in the BIOS.

When I run the check partition for errors I get the following report
Error #993 Partition contains open files. Use the operating system check utility.

It does not enable the fix button and obviously I am unable to run the operating system check utility.

I am unable to give you the part info other than the drive is an IBM20GB thinkpad drive.

I have tried using programs such as bootcontrol to try and write a new MBR - no go. I have tried reprogramming the MBR using debug and a set of assembler commands.

I have tried using windows 2000 server in recovery mode from the CD with the FIXBOOT command, no joy!

I have tried everything I can think of to rectify this error. I am now desperate as I live on a little island in the caribbean and have no access to anything other than internet.

Many thanks,

Mike

 

[kshugart]

Seems you answered yourself.
Your description read (2) partitions as partition 1. Is that correct?
What is with W2K? Were trying to install RH8 as dual boot system?
If this is a fresh install, check to see if the HDD is being recognized properly in BIOS and what RH8 reads. They should read the same Hdd parameters.
At this point I am at a loss as to what you are trying to do and on what as I cannot make out what system or computer you are using. i.e., thinkpad, tower, running RH8 or W2K, or tried using a Mac, I don't know how to respond, please be more specific. Klon Shugart
Data Recovery Specialist
Microsoft Certified/ mcp 2000

http://www.adv-data.com