How to fix the MBR without overwriting HD and without Recovery CD

Question

My Drives [c:/, HP_Tools (E:/) and Recovery (D:/)] have all turned into simple volumes due from trying to delete space from c:// and creating another partition to backup my files, so I can recover my computer to factory settings.

So I did some research and I learned that the MBR files are corrupt. (Am I right?)

So how can I fix that but keep all my files? I don't have a recovery disc to my computer. I have that built in, but because of the drives turning into simple volume, I can't go to that by pressing F10(or whatever I have to press).

I have an HP Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit Laptop

Answer 1

You can boot from some LiveCD Linux distribution and use TestDisk. It's an utility to inspect and fix hard drive problems and includes an options to either restore MBR from the backup or generate a new MBR.

Answer 2

You could borrow or download a copy of Windows Home Premium Sp1, just downloading the image is legal as far as I'm aware. Using this to boot into Windows Recovery console you would use the fixmbr command.

Instructions (taken from Here)

1. Insert Win 7 installation DVD and boot from DVD drive. While in some older systems you may have to change boot order through system BIOS, most newer systems allow booting from DVD without changing boot order by simply clicking on any key when prompted to doing so.

2. Choose your default "Language", "Time", and "keyboard Input" on the first window and click next.

3. You're now presented with 3 choices. Click on "Repair Your Computer" to gain access to the System Recovery window. Now choose "Command Prompt" in order to run the desired utility which is called "bootsect.exe". Bootsect is located inside the boot folder so change your directory to boot. Now run "bootsect /nt60 C:\" if you had Win 7 initially installed in the C partition. Alternatively, you can run "bootsect /nt60 SYS" or "bootsect /nt60 ALL" to repair the system partition or all partitions. Eject the DVD, and restart computer. Your computer should now boot Win 7 again.

Here is a list of Torrents taken from a popular site. This is provided to show how easy it is to find a download of what you;re after. I would however reccomend caution when downloading torrents.

Answer 3

If it is a HP Laptop, it already has the maximum 4 partitions allowed, so you cannot create another partition with damaging one or more of the other 4, which you have discovered. So you cannot do what you want, use an external usb hard drive to store your data.

HP uses a custom Master Boot Record, using a recovery or regular Windows disc to fix the MBR will break this custom MBR, then your factory restore partition will not work.

HP has no easy method to repair the custom MBR other than do a full restore from the restore partition or HP recovery media. So back up your data and do a HP recovery.

I suggest you make your HP recovery media asap, label them appropriately and store in a safe place. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c01867124

Also make this disc http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02058933&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

If you did not make your recovery media and cannot boot the PC: You can order recovery media here

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00810334&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

.

.