Restoring the MBR in Arch.

stf92 · 05-28-2018, 07:02 PM

Hi: any utility to restore the master boot record (boot sector in the linux jaergon)? Lilo could do it (lilo -M /dev/sdX mbr) but the target is an eMMC device and lilo can't write it. Perhaps grub can? "Restore" means to write, in logical sector 0 of the disk, the code expected to be there to load the MS-DOS OS. Nothing to do with the partition table. The code begins with a 0xEB90 jump to the code proper.

frankbell · 05-28-2018, 08:04 PM

It's not so much a utility, but there is a dd command that will accomplish that. It's been a long time, but I have used successfully.

By the way, a web search for linux restore MBR turns up a plethora of articles.

stf92 · 05-29-2018, 03:50 AM

Hey, but dd won't operate in a vacuum! I must give some file. And where do I get the file? The answer if syslinux, as I have been told in another forum.

Rickkkk · 05-30-2018, 03:20 PM

Hey stf92,

Unless I'm misunderstanding your requirement (not impossible ...), I believe BootRepair (available as standalone live ISO) can restore the MBR. I've had success with both Windows and linux boots.

stf92 · 06-01-2018, 10:10 AM

In fact all I need is a 512 bytes file containing (almost) any MBR! In this the era of information I think I should be able to find it on the internet. Only not many people will ever ask for such a thing and there it can be a little dificult to acquire.

WFV · 06-12-2018, 07:26 PM

multsystem bootable usb used to have MBR repair tools, haven't used it in many years but always had success when I did.