Re: How to backup the MBR?
From: I'm Dan (dgREMOVE-THIS1261_at_cs.com)
Date: 05/19/04
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Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 01:21:55 -0700
"*Vanguard*" <no-email@reply-to-newsgroup.invalid> wrote:
> I have PartitionMagic 8 but don't see anywhere within it how to
> make a backup copy of the MBR (master boot record) and restore
> it. I also have DriveImage 2002 and don't see it backup up the
> MBR, either. Both work on partitions but do nothing to let me
> backup and restore the MBR.
Correct, and for good reason. Whenever PM or DI changes, moves, or restores
a partition, it *must* confirm or rewrite the partition table parameters to
make sure they are consistent with the changes made. Backing up the
partition table is therefore moot because PM or DI (and Ghost, Acronis, et
al) will always make sure the partition table fits the restored
partition(s). And *not* backing up/restoring the partition table makes it
possible to restore the partitions on replacement disks with different
parameters, or in different locations on the disk.
PM/DI won't check the boot code in the MBR, but for most people that's
pretty much a non-issue because the mere 450-odd bytes of the boot code is
very easily restored via fixboot or fdisk /mbr. However, this is not to say
backing up track 0 isn't worthwhile for a *small* group of people. If
you're using a third-party boot manager, a bios extension overlay (e.g.,
ez-bios or disk manager), or as you mentioned, special encryption overlay,
then yes, backing up the customized track 0 may be a good idea -- as long as
you understand it has its own caveats. But it should not be rolled into PM
or DI as an automatic procedure because that has the potential of causing
problems for the majority of users. It should be a separate, deliberate
operation.
> There are definite reasons NOT to use FIXMBR (from
> Windows XP) or FDISK /MBR (from a Windows 9x boot
> floppy); see http://www.cknow.com/vtutor/vtfdiskmbr.htm.
Boy, that guy goes overboard. Yes, there are a *few* reasons one may not
want to use fixboot or fdisk /mbr, but how many people fall into those
categories? Fixboot and fdisk /mbr are useful tools in the right
circumstances. Saying you should never use fixboot or fdisk /mbr is like
saying you should stay off the freeway because you might get killed out
there.
Third-party boot managers and bios extension overlays can be easily
restored/reinstalled. If you're using special encryption overlay (and how
many people fit this category?), then hopefully you're technically savvy
enough to know about the special requirements of the software, or else
you'll probably lock yourself out at some point anyway. And if you have the
monkey virus . . . well, let's just say that, like all viruses, you should
research how to *properly* remove the virus. Even then, a fixboot with DI
partition restorations will return you to a working system.
> So I need to figure out how to do a backup of my MBR ...
Use MBRWork, a free utility from www.bootitng.com. Boot from a DOS boot
disk, run mbrwork.exe, and save track 0 to a file.
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