Use of FIXMBR - risks

[goombawaho]

I was just curious as to how risky it is to run FIXMBR if that's NOT the real problem. In other words, if I just booted up to XP recovery console and ran FIXMBR on this functioning computer, is there any chance that it will render the machine not bootable???

The reason I ask is that I tend to wait until all other options are gone before I resort to FIXMBR to try to get a non-bootable machine running. But if it wasn't a big risk, I could move that up in the troubleshooting list. Had a situation the other day where I could have saved some time.

If it's a gamble, I wouldn't want to start doing it like I would a CHKDSK.

 

[BadBigBen]

Warning This command can damage your partition tables if a virus is present or if a hardware problem exists. If you use this command, you may create inaccessible partitions. We recommend that you run antivirus software before you use this command.

...

If the fixmbr command detects an invalid or non-standard partition table signature, fixmbr command prompts you for permission before it rewrites the MBR. The fixmbr command is supported only on x86-based computers.

Source: From the Horses Mouth - aka Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[mscallisto]

BadBigBen

Do you know if there's a difference between fixmbr and Fdisk /mbr?

I've used Fdisk /mbr a few times and never had a problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/69013

says:

Fdisk has an undocumented parameter called /mbr that causes it to write the master boot record to the hard disk without altering the partition table information.

sam

 

[BadBigBen]

Do you know if there's a difference between fixmbr and Fdisk /mbr?

not really, except for the obvious, and that it no longer is supported under W2k+ and starting with Vista FIXMBR is no longer available, here it would be "bootrec /FixMbr" (Recovery Environment)...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

Well, you know that Microsoft saying something doesn't really mean something - automagically. In other words, I wanted the "real world scoop".

For example, I had a virus that rendered the computer non-bootable. The Norton Bootable Recovery Tool found the issue but said it couldn't fix it (hurray NBRT!!!).

So, then what to do about giving the fixmbr a shot. I guess I'll continue to warn people that it's the last best effort to save their computer and get permission before pulling the trigger.

In other words, it may be a bit like russian roulette.

 

[BadBigBen]

Goom,

my part of the world, I've never had any trouble using FIXMBR and never had partitions lost from using it...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

That's what I was wondering about - real world experience. Is your part of the world different than mine, I wonder??

 

[linney]

266745 - Error Message When You Run fixmbr Command

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;266745&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

153973 - Recovering NTFS Boot Sector on NTFS Partitions

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;153973&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

See about DiskProbe in this article.

Troubleshooting Disks and File Systems

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457122.aspx

 

[BadBigBen]

Is your part of the world different than mine, I wonder??

probably so... we use different languages!

though the underlying work is probably the same, I work for a small company that builds Workstations for Scientific Corporate Research, installing NAS, SAN, HPC, networks, etc....

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

I never would have guessed that you weren't a brit or a yank from your verbiage.

 

[BadBigBen]

I never would have guessed that you weren't a brit or a yank from your verbiage.

that is due to the fact that I grew up in the US (Army Brat; Green Card and all) and attended both school systems German and American... and believe it or not, I understand technical writing, e.g. manuals, whitepapers, etc., a lot easier in English then in German...

enough of the [off topic]... ;-)

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[goombawaho]

We need an off-topic section. Where do I request that??

 

[linney]

Try the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page, this will give you options to E-mail or leave a suggestion for site management.