MBRWizard - Save, restore and repair MBR
Shadow
without having to boot into the winXP recovery mode( which does not
work if you've installed SP3)
See command line help in zip
Read it VERY carefully
Works for windows XP - win7
http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php#tabs-4
Saved me a headache.
Keep it in your rescue kit, or put it on your BART.
VanguardLH
http://mbrwizard.com/
http://www.firesage.com/
Different hostname but same site (both resolve to 74.208.27.24).
They're playing with a new site layout but currently it is under their
old site at: http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php
The problem with saving and then later restoring the boot sector (446
bytes of the MBR) is that you could end up restoring a boot sector
virus. If you just need to replace the bootstrap code area of the MBR
with standard bootstrap code, you can use:
Win9x bootable floppy/CD:
Run: fdisk /mbr
(available at bootdisk.com)
WinNT+:
Run: fixmbr
(from Recovery Console mode, installed or from install CD)
Lots more features are listed for MBRwizard but they duplicate functions
already available in the OS or are superfluous.
Save/Restore MBR bootstrap code:
Only has value if you have customized bootstrap code. The standard code
(for DOS/NT or grub) can simply be restored using methods available in
the OS or with the install CD/utility. If you have customized code, it
is unlikely that you created it. You installed some program, like
Acronis TrueImage or other MBR bootstrap usurpers, and you can simply
use their recovery CD or install program to replace the bootstrap code
again.
Wipe MBR
Delete MBR
Why? The BIOS only uses the MBR bootstrap code from the first detected
storage device. MBRs still exist on all other drives (because obviously
they still need a partition table, disk signature, etc) but the
bootstrap area won't get used. Whatever is in there doesn't need to get
wiped or deleted as it won't get used. In fact, if you wipe/delete the
MBR of a clone drive and then expect it to work when you have to slide
it in place of a failed disk, it won't boot.
Fix or repair corrupt MBR
Presumably this means to replace the bootstrap area of the MBR with
standard bootstrap code (but whose?). This can be done as mentioned
above.
Create/update the disk signature
Only meaningful for NT-based Windows which uses the disk sig bytes in
the MBR to track the disk should its physical position get moved so the
OS can still assign the same drive letters to the partitions within.
Just use Rescan Disks in the DiskManagement applet (diskmgmt.msc) if you
need to add disk sig to a new disk or have to make them different in the
rare situation they happen to be the same for disks within the same
system.
Sort partition table
Huh? What's the point? Regardless of which position the partitioning
data is stored (i.e., in which partition table entry), it still defines
the same start/end of a partition. Superfluous.
Save/Copy/Restore Sectors
Unless this wizard for the MBR is also a disk/partition imaging program,
this doesn't make sense. There is only one 512-byte sector for the
entire MBR which encompases the bootstrap code, partition table, and
disk signature. So what are these other sectorS (plural)?
Wipe Disk
Not an MBR function. Lots of utilities can do this. Seems superfluous
as regarding MBR utility.
Boot Menu: Select bootable partition
Well, guess where it has to put this code? It would have to be another
MBR usurper (replaces the MBR bootstrap code) same as, for example, GAG
(gag.sourceforge.net) and other multi-boot managers. So you end up with
non-standard (custom) MBR bootstrap code instead of the standard code
that this utility says it will replace.
Shutdown/Reboot the Machine
This is really needed in an MBR utility? Since standard bootstrap code,
multi-boot managers, or anything else that usurps the MBR bootstrap get
loaded and passed control by the BIOS before any OS gets loaded, what's
so tough about just hitting the Power or Reset buttons on the case?
Delete Partitions
Hide/Unhide Partitions
Set Bootable/Active Partition
Change Partition Type
Other than the last one, these are already afforded in OS utilities.
If this utility had been provided as an .iso image (or an installer that
lays an image onto removable media) for use with a bootable device
(floppy, CD, flash drive) then I might've put it in my software toolbox.
However, their statement "We currently provide three released versions
of MBRWizard for download, each targeted for a specific operating
system" means this utility will only run after you boot your OS - and
that is often WAY TOO LATE to be doing MBR restores or replacement. If
you can't load the OS, what good is a utility that only runs under that
OS?
Note that this freeware is for personal-use only, not for business use.
If "RWizard has long been a trusted solution" then why is its domain
registration only start on 01-OCT-2007? Doesn't seem "long" to me.
Also, if you look at their new site, it appears they are gearing up to
change this freeware into payware. Otherwise, why do they have a "Buy
Now" link on their new site? It takes you to their PayPal page to buy
it for $4.99. The new site also states "License: Commercial". Turns
out their *command-line* version (CLI = command-line interface) is still
freeware, not their GUI version which has all the features they listed.
Shadow
If you have the XP3 update installed, fixmbr is no longer an
option with your original XP SP2 install disk. (try it)
I was without my computer for 4 hours last week (my debian
lenny ---> squeeze update scrapped the Grub entry, and I could not
boot), and ubuntu complained that the boot area was "damaged" when I
tried to restore it using my ubuntu live CD, and refused to install.
I finally managed to fix the mbr with this utility from a BART
CD, THEN ubuntu admitted I had a valid mbr and proceeded to reinstall
GRUB. I then booted into ubuntu to re-enable my slackware, backtrack,
debian, winXP, ubuntu and other grub 2 options.
I believe all the useful functions are valid for the freeware
command line version. Just grab it before the guy takes it away. It's
only a few hundred KB.
[]'s
As to the virus boot problem, I believe that is the idea
behind making a backup.
I know you can reset by using dd and writing a number of 00 in
the first sectors of the drive, but it is very risky. I did it once ,
it worked, but I would not recommend it.
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=446 count=1
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=1
which one is the valid one :)
Ron May
> Shadow wrote:
>
> > Saves your MBR, and quickly recovers your mbr if grub2 fscks it up,
> > without having to boot into the winXP recovery mode( which does not
> > work if you've installed SP3)
> >
> > http:// firesage. com/
> >
> > See command line help in zip
> > Read it VERY carefully
> >
> > Works for windows XP - win7
> >
> > http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php#tabs-4
> >
> > Saved me a headache.
> > Keep it in your rescue kit, or put it on your BART.
<V...@nguard.LH>
> The problem with saving and then later restoring the boot sector (446
> bytes of the MBR) is that you could end up restoring a boot sector
> virus. If you just need to replace the bootstrap code area of the MBR
> with standard bootstrap code, you can use:
<V...@nguard.LH>
To VanguardLH,
True as far as it goes, but this looks pretty useful to me as one who has a
dual boot Ubuntu/Vista MBR created via Grub2. If something hoses my custom
MBR, but the drive itself still works, I may be really glad to have a
backup MBR safely tucked away.
There are other options. I can recreate the MBR with Grub2, of course, but
this is certainly easier and more efficient. I can also create a full
image on a dedicated spare backup drive, or create an ISO on my 2TB USB
drive, but who's going to do that on a daily or even weekly basis?
The GUI version isn't free but it is cheap. The CLI version is freeware
for personal use with redistribution restrictions similar to Sysinternals.
If I ever need it and it works, it'll save me considerable time, effort and
heartburn. If it doesn't work, I'm no worse off. It's simple as that.
(Thanks Shadow)
--
Ron M.
Registered Linux User #511161
Ubuntu/Vista Dual Boot
Nomen Nescio
> True
*SHADDUP*
Bjorn S.
(Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:24:40 -0500):
>True as far as it goes, but this looks pretty useful to me as one who has a
>dual boot Ubuntu/Vista MBR created via Grub2. If something hoses my custom
>MBR, but the drive itself still works, I may be really glad to have a
>backup MBR safely tucked away.
Recently noticed this CLI program, MbrFix
<http://www.sysint.no/nedlasting/mbrfix.htm>
says it can do:
MbrFix /drive <num> fixmbr {/vista|/win7}
to:
Update MBR code to W2K/XP/2003, Vista or Win7
(say if you installed Grub/Gag to the mbr and want it removed)
D/L from: <http://www.sysint.no/nedlasting/mbrfix.zip>
or via
<http://www.sysint.no/products/Download/tabid/536/Default.aspx>
Found Mbrfix mentioned (first) among other utilities at;
<http://thestarman.narod.ru/asm/mbr/BootToolsRefs.htm>
Lots of MBR info there (The Starman's Realm)
<http://thestarman.narod.ru/index.html>
and about Vista and Win7, check out: <http://www.multibooters.co.uk/>
among other things, whether to install GRUB to the MBR on the boot
drive or to a Linux partition, see under the "Linux and Lilo/Grub"
heading near end of: <http://www.multibooters.co.uk/multiboot.html>.
--
All the best,
Bjorn S. - I only post via <news.individual.net>.
Ron May
Thanks Bjorn! Grabbed a copy of MbrFix and looked around the Sysint.no site
a bit. Will go back and look around some more as well as check out your
other links. Looks good!
Shadow
wrote:
>Found Mbrfix mentioned (first) among other utilities at;
><http://thestarman.narod.ru/asm/mbr/BootToolsRefs.htm>
From this page:
////
3. MBRWizard 2.00 — Roger Layton is this tool's author; no one else!
Please see our NOTE* below about sites that tried to sell his software
as their own!
.....
* NOTE: There were at least two web sites illegally trying to sell
this program as their own! Only Roger's copyright notifications were
altered by these criminals! So, BE CAREFUL... Do some research before
buying any software, and do not become a fool by paying a criminal for
someone else's work; and possibly getting a 'buggy' or nonfunctioning
program instead.
////
The site I posted is signed by Roger Layton
http://mbrwizard.com/about.php
And points to his new site:
////
Visit the New MBRWizard Site for details.
http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php
////
If I posted a rogue site, I'm sorry, but it looks like the
real thing....
Franklin
There's also MBRWork from Terabyteunlimited which I have found reliable.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/downloads-free-software.htm
Starman doesn't list it.
http://thestarman.narod.ru/asm/mbr/BootToolsRefs.htm
jose secunda
speaking about things he knows nothing about.
I found MBRWizard about 18 months ago... when I restored my XP system
from a disk image and it would no longer boot. After much
troubleshooting it turns out the partitions were created in a
different order than the original, so the boot loader was looking in
the wrong place. I used mbrwiz to sort the partitions, the problem
was quickly solved, and XP was able to boot! Vanguard says, "Sort
partition table Huh? What's the point?"...you should think before you
speak (type).
Since there are many other inconsistencies in his message, let me take
a moment to clarify things as he seems to be spewing total garbage.
On Sep 19, 2:14 pm, VanguardLH <V...@nguard.LH> wrote:
> http://mbrwizard.com/http://www.firesage.com/
> Different hostname but same site (both resolve to 74.208.27.24).
> They're playing with a new site layout but currently it is under their
> old site at: http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php
>
> The problem with saving and then later restoring the boot sector (446
> bytes of the MBR) is that you could end up restoring a boot sector
> virus.
While this is true, it also holds true for system backups and other
means of backing up anything. Which is why you want to create the
backup before the corruption/infection/destruction happens. I have an
automated process running that restores the MBR backup each time my
kid's machine boots or shuts down... I don't think you can be too
careful with keeping the system safe.
> If you just need to replace the bootstrap code area of the MBR
> with standard bootstrap code, you can use:
>
> Win9x bootable floppy/CD:
> Run: fdisk /mbr
> (available at bootdisk.com)
>
> WinNT+:
> Run: fixmbr
> (from Recovery Console mode, installed or from install CD)
>
> Lots more features are listed for MBRwizard but they duplicate functions
> already available in the OS or are superfluous.
>
> Save/Restore MBR bootstrap code:
> Only has value if you have customized bootstrap code. The standard code
> (for DOS/NT or grub) can simply be restored using methods available in
> the OS or with the install CD/utility. If you have customized code, it
> is unlikely that you created it. You installed some program, like
> Acronis TrueImage or other MBR bootstrap usurpers, and you can simply
> use their recovery CD or install program to replace the bootstrap code
> again.
Perhaps you aren't aware that the MBR also contains the partition
table in addition to the boot code? While there are methods to
rebuild the boot record, all partitions would be suddenly lost if the
partition table became corrupt. I always keep a backup of my MBR, and
recommend you do the same.
> Wipe MBR
> Delete MBR
> Why? The BIOS only uses the MBR bootstrap code from the first detected
> storage device. MBRs still exist on all other drives (because obviously
> they still need a partition table, disk signature, etc) but the
> bootstrap area won't get used. Whatever is in there doesn't need to get
> wiped or deleted as it won't get used. In fact, if you wipe/delete the
> MBR of a clone drive and then expect it to work when you have to slide
> it in place of a failed disk, it won't boot.
Have you ever tried creating bootable USB drives, and had something
cached in Windows that wouldn't allow the disk to be recognized when
plugged in? A simple MBR wipe, unplug/replug the disk, and the disk
will be re-initialized like new. Voila!
> Fix or repair corrupt MBR
> Presumably this means to replace the bootstrap area of the MBR with
> standard bootstrap code (but whose?). This can be done as mentioned
> above.
True.
> Create/update the disk signature
> Only meaningful for NT-based Windows which uses the disk sig bytes in
> the MBR to track the disk should its physical position get moved so the
> OS can still assign the same drive letters to the partitions within.
> Just use Rescan Disks in the DiskManagement applet (diskmgmt.msc) if you
> need to add disk sig to a new disk or have to make them different in the
> rare situation they happen to be the same for disks within the same
> system.
I have run into several situations where a restored Citrix or Exchange
server wouldn't run properly because the disk signature changed. I
created a build/restore process that also restored the disk signature,
ensuring the proper drive letters would be matched at first boot.
> Sort partition table
> Huh? What's the point? Regardless of which position the partitioning
> data is stored (i.e., in which partition table entry), it still defines
> the same start/end of a partition. Superfluous.
See above.
> Save/Copy/Restore Sectors
> Unless this wizard for the MBR is also a disk/partition imaging program,
> this doesn't make sense. There is only one 512-byte sector for the
> entire MBR which encompases the bootstrap code, partition table, and
> disk signature. So what are these other sectorS (plural)?
There are plenty of other sectors you may want to backup and protect,
check out volume boot record as one instance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_boot_record
> Wipe Disk
> Not an MBR function. Lots of utilities can do this. Seems superfluous
> as regarding MBR utility.
True
> Boot Menu: Select bootable partition
> Well, guess where it has to put this code? It would have to be another
> MBR usurper (replaces the MBR bootstrap code) same as, for example, GAG
> (gag.sourceforge.net) and other multi-boot managers. So you end up with
> non-standard (custom) MBR bootstrap code instead of the standard code
> that this utility says it will replace.
You really should do a little research before running your mouth.
This option does not usurp the MBR, or create custom bootstrap code.
It is a simple option that presents the primary partitions, and allows
the user to select the one they want to set as bootable.
> Shutdown/Reboot the Machine
> This is really needed in an MBR utility? Since standard bootstrap code,
> multi-boot managers, or anything else that usurps the MBR bootstrap get
> loaded and passed control by the BIOS before any OS gets loaded, what's
> so tough about just hitting the Power or Reset buttons on the case?
Perhaps not needed, but it can be nice in such a command line
application when creating a script to restore the MBR and auto-reboot
the machine.
> Delete Partitions
> Hide/Unhide Partitions
> Set Bootable/Active Partition
> Change Partition Type
> Other than the last one, these are already afforded in OS utilities.
True, depending on the OS. But nice to have all functions in a single
app.
> If this utility had been provided as an .iso image (or an installer that
> lays an image onto removable media) for use with a bootable device
> (floppy, CD, flash drive) then I might've put it in my software toolbox.
> However, their statement "We currently provide three released versions
> of MBRWizard for download, each targeted for a specific operating
> system" means this utility will only run after you boot your OS - and
> that is often WAY TOO LATE to be doing MBR restores or replacement. If
> you can't load the OS, what good is a utility that only runs under that
> OS?
I have been assured that this is coming. However, the current GUI
version already includes a boot disk builder to help create the media
for recovery.
> Note that this freeware is for personal-use only, not for business use.
> If "RWizard has long been a trusted solution" then why is its domain
> registration only start on 01-OCT-2007? Doesn't seem "long" to me.
I found references to mbrwizard in 2003 from a quick google search:
http://www.google.com/search?q=mbrwiz&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Opw&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&sa=X&ei=OWykTM7kJcOBlAfx6OSdDA&ved=0CA0QpwU&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A11%2F1%2F2003%2Ccd_max%3A12%2F31%2F2003
> Also, if you look at their new site, it appears they are gearing up to
> change this freeware into payware. Otherwise, why do they have a "Buy
> Now" link on their new site? It takes you to their PayPal page to buy
> it for $4.99. The new site also states "License: Commercial". Turns
> out their *command-line* version (CLI = command-line interface) is still
> freeware, not their GUI version which has all the features they listed.
I have reported a couple of bugs and requested some new features from
Roger over the past year or so, and must say that he has been very
helpful and responsive. Additionally, I received confirmation that
the command line version will remain free!
On a side note, they created the GUI version for those needing an
easier, more safeguarded way of making such changes to the system...
not bad for $5. You don't have to buy the GUI version, it's just
another option they are providing.
Anyway, I'm not sure of your agenda in your original post... perhaps
you wanted to spout untruths, or maybe you just wanted to hear
yourself speak, either way I find your "review" ignorant and unfair.
Thanks for listening,
Jose