The Windows MBR (Master Boot Record) can be corrupted unintentionally, generally during the installation of another OS (Operating System). To be able to reboot Windows again, you’ll need to repair it.
The typical message of a corrupted MBR is “Operating system not found.” To correct this, a utility like MbrFix.exe will be needed. You should run it from a floppy disk, optical or USB device. Then you’ll just have to follow the instructions from the Windows 7 installation disc to fix your MBR.
- Insert your Windows 7 Installation DVD and boot from the DVD drive. If needed, change the boot order via system BIOS to be able to boot from the DVD drive.
- Select your Language, Time and Keyboard Input on the first screen and click Next.
- Click the Repair Your Computer option to access the System Recovery window. Choose Command Prompt to run Bootsect.exe. This program is located in the boot folder so change your directory accordingly. Next, run “bootsect /nt60 C:\” (without quotes!) if Windows 7 was initially installed in the C: partition. You can also run “bootsect /nt60 SYS” or “bootsect /nt60 ALL” (without quotes!) to repair the system partition or all partitions, respectively. Eject the Windows 7 installation DVD and reboot your computer. It should now boot Windows 7 normally.
Things You Need to Know
- Do not use the quotes when typing “bootsect /nt60 C:/”
- You must be a little bit familiar with MS-DOS commands before attempting this
- You’ll need the Windows 7 Installation Disc
Recommended Tool to Speed Up your PC
To speed up your Windows 7-based computer, use FixCleaner. FixCleaner is an advanced computer utility designed to remove errors and boost the performance of home PCs.