MBR issue and identifying installed OS.

[uzi9mm]

I tried the search function and it is down

Anyways, is there some sort of magic bootable kit or liveCD that will fix and repair missing and or corrupt MBR's?

I have a computer that a friend gave me to fix, but he is not sure what OS it had (he is very computer illiterate) So I was also wondering is there anyway to identify what version of Windows it had on it.

 

[carnageX]

The windows CD has the fixboot and fixmbr commands.

XP, boot into recovery console. Vista / 7, open the command line tool.

 

[uzi9mm]

The problem is, it will not boot at all, the cursor blinks and it goes to a black screen after post.

And I am not sure what windows version is on the computer either. I was able to hook up the drive to another computer and explore the drive, but I am unsure what version it was running.

 

[carnageX]

Easiest way to differentiate between XP and Vista/7:
Under the OS's drive.. does it have 'Documents and Settings' or does it have the 'Users' folder?

If it has 'Documents and Settings' its XP. If it has the 'Users' folder it's Vista or 7.

Can it boot off of any discs?

 

[KSoD]

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

Universal Boot CD. can try that and see if it will work to fix the boot.