MBR Fix when Rescure Disk Not Available

SGlassman · 07-31-2008, 10:54 AM

Hello Forum,

Just out of curiousity and being somewhat new to the Linux world, I was wondering if there is a way to fix a corrupt MBR if rescue disk is not available. I'm asking because I'm gearing up for the RHCT and in the long run the RHCE. I'm utilizing a book to supplement my learning. It does list how to use the linux rescue and grub-install. What I'm trying to find out is if there are other ways of fixing an overwritten MBR.

Thanks again!

Cheers :-)

johnson_steve · 07-31-2008, 11:07 AM

while you should be abble to reinstall the bootloader from the system without a rescue disk, how would you boot it if the MBR is messed up? I think you would need some type of 'rescue disk' though it could be just about any live cd or even a thumb drive. If the system boots up by itself then yes you can fix it without any kind of disk.

pixellany · 07-31-2008, 02:20 PM

I assume you are referring to situations using GRUB or LILO. GRUB is by far more common, and is used by RedHat.

To install GRUB, you have to have GRUB!! ("Fixing the MBR" means to put a version of GRUB Stage 1 into the MBR.)
There are tow methods to install GRUB: "grub-install", or opening the GRUB shell, and entering some commands. (Most docs I have read recommend the latter.)

See the link in my sig for many gory details.