Format and repair boot sector
If Windows does not want to start, it often helps to format and repair the boot sector. We show you how it works.
Format and repair boot sector under Windows 2000 and XP
On Windows 2000 and XP, format and repair the boot sector of your Windows partition using the Windows installation CD:
- Insert the Windows CD in the drive and start your PC.
- Boot from CD. The boot order can be set in the BIOS boot menu. The instructions for use and your computer explain how to access the boot menu. Usually one of the keys [Esc], [F2], [F8], [F9], [F10], [F11], [F12], [Tab] or [Alt] has to be pressed after switching on the computer,
- Press any key to start from CD. Navigate to the "Repair menu" by pressing the [R] key and open the "Recovery console" using [K].
- First enter "fixboot c:" in the console (if your operating system is installed on a partition other than c, replace the "c" with the correct drive letter). This command overwrites the old boot sector to start the operating system.
- Then enter "fixmbr c:" (replace the drive letter if necessary). This command replaces the master boot record that contains your system's partition table.
- Replacing the sectors can take up to 15 minutes. You can then restart your PC and boot from the hard drive as usual.
Format and repair boot sector in Windows Vista, 7 and 8
In order to rewrite the boot sector, some commands differ under Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 despite the same procedure:
- Insert the Windows CD or the recovery CD in the drive and start your PC.
- Boot from CD. The boot order can be set in the BIOS boot menu. The instructions for use and your computer explain how to access the boot menu. Usually one of the keys [Esc], [F2], [F8], [F9], [F10], [F11], [F12], [Tab] or [Alt] has to be pressed after switching on the computer,
- Press any key to start from CD. Navigate to "Troubleshoot" and open the "Command Prompt" in the "Advanced Options".
- The console opens in which you first enter "bootrec.exe / fixboot". This command overwrites the old boot sector to start the operating system.
- Then enter "bootrec.exe / fixmbr". This command replaces the master boot record that contains the system's partition table.
- Replacing the sectors can take up to 15 minutes. You can then restart your PC and boot from the hard drive again.
With boot problems it is not always necessary to format and repair the boot sector. This practical tip explains the causes and solutions for errors. With the Ultimate Boot CD, you can format and repair the boot sector without a Windows CD.