Dead MBR

Yesterday I turned on my computer to find out that my mbr is missing. Now, when I start my computer it says "PLEASE INSERT INSTALLATION CD AND PRESS "ENTER"". I need my mbr repaired so my O/S shows up on the vista boot CD so I can fix the boot. I have no idea how to fix this. Please help!

--Thanks

 

Some third-party programs or disk corruption can damage an MBR. You can try suggestions here:
http://mbrwizard.com/mbrprobs.shtml

I've never used the methods, so I can't vouch for them.

 

Boot from the DVD and run Startup Repair.

 

If the startup repair doesn't find your OS then try booting from the Vista DVD to a command prompt and use the following command.

bootrec.exe /fixmbr

Before you do this if you have anything important on this drive make sure it is backed up.

 

If you can access the bootrec command, you can also try other switches:

bootrec /scanos
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

 

I've tried all 3 commands and still nothing...

But it did find my windows when i used scanos

still not showing up on the repair windows screen when i first boot into the windows disk though....

 

Here's an 'illustrated' tutorial using startup repair:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html

 

i;ve already tried that. it doesnt show up in the menu like in figure 4

 

If you have Maxtor or Seagate HDDs you might be able to repair the MBR with a "Maxblast" CD; I've done it. The fix is in the utility section of Maxblast.