Reinstalling the operating system often means that you need to format the hard drive of your computer. Nevertheless, due to viruses and hardware failures, the Windows XP bootloader recovery process may be required at any time. You can reinstall the bootloader without formatting the disk or losing files. Some of the main causes of its failure are viruses, hardware failure, or errors during the installation of Windows XP. Bad bootloader - your only problem? Below is an instruction on how to restore the Windows XP bootloader without reinstalling the entire operating system.
This bootloader is called the master boot record, as well as the MBR. It controls the launch of the hard drive and allows the computer to turn on its OS. The bootloader offers many useful features and improvements. It also has a powerful system for controlling the device. Unfortunately, some changes in your computer or virus may damage, modify or delete it. This may affect the functioning of the PC. As a result, it will either be unable to boot at all, or it will start with problems loading some parts of the OS. The bootloader recovery process for Windows XP can be performed using the operating system installation CD or disk recovery.
You can restore the Windows XP bootloader by completing the following steps:
Turn on the computer and install the launch from the installation disk.
Start the recovery console.
Boot the computer from the installation disk to restore the bootloader Windows XP
First of all, you should insert the Windows XP installation disk or the system recovery disk into the optical drive and restart the computer. Now, to boot the installed version of Windows, the PC will start from the CD. You should press the necessary key when prompted, and then you need to wait for the program settings to load.
Starting Recovery Console
A message should appear on the screen that the installer is greeting you. Press the R key. This will cause the recovery console to start in order to try reinstalling Windows XP on the computer. If you need an administrator password in the settings of Windows XP, you must enter it. Then select the installation of Windows XP. Then wait until the command prompt appears and enter the Fixmbr command. Press the “Y” key when prompted that the “FixMbr” utility intends to overwrite the damaged bootloader with a new copy. After that, the recovery procedure for the Windows XP bootloader will be completed.
Tips for completing the process
Remove the boot disk from the drive and select "Exit" on the command line. This command may cause the PC to reboot. This will allow the computer to download the new bootloader file, and then you can continue to launch Windows XP in normal mode. It is also recommended that you install antivirus software to remove viruses and protect the bootloader files so that you do not need to repeat the Windows XP bootloader recovery procedure in the near future.