Mbr error 3 on boot

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fkasner

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Apr 13, 2010
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Hello,
I'm running an HP Pavilion quad core x64 Vista. When I boot up I get an error message "MBR Error 3". All the stuff I have consulted want to sell me an editor for something. While the error clearly appears to be in the master boot record. XP and earlier had a readily available fix for replacing the MBR. But I can't find any such for Vista. I tried running the repair operation on the install disk but it didn't remove the MBR error 3 warning. The computer seems to run properly after finishing the boot.
 
Solution
Insert Windows Vista Installation CD/DVD, and boot from it.

Select language and keyboard or input method, click Next and choose to Repair your computer.
Then you will need to select the operating system that you want to repair.

In the Systems Recovery Options dialog box click Command Prompt, and type the following:

Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
Bootrec.exe /FixBoot

If you want to completely rebuild Windows Vista Boot Configuration Data,
then you should issue the following command:

Bootrec.exe /Rebuildbcd

This command scans all disks for installations that are compatible with
Windows Vista. Additionally, this option also allows select the
installations that you want to add to the Boot Configuration Data store.

Matan Eldan

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Mar 7, 2010
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Insert Windows Vista Installation CD/DVD, and boot from it.

Select language and keyboard or input method, click Next and choose to Repair your computer.
Then you will need to select the operating system that you want to repair.

In the Systems Recovery Options dialog box click Command Prompt, and type the following:

Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
Bootrec.exe /FixBoot

If you want to completely rebuild Windows Vista Boot Configuration Data,
then you should issue the following command:

Bootrec.exe /Rebuildbcd

This command scans all disks for installations that are compatible with
Windows Vista. Additionally, this option also allows select the
installations that you want to add to the Boot Configuration Data store.
 
Solution

timbo88

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Jan 11, 2011
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Thanks Matan.

Having had this Mbr error for six months I finally tried your fix. It worked perfectly and the explanation was very easy to follow. Thanks again.
 
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