Repairing Master Boot Record

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and to
restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
saying it is unable to repair.
Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site which
came up clean.
I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?

Thank you

 

[Andre]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

from a boot disk if you run the option fdisk /mbr it recreates the master
boot record..

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q69013

there are some details on it, but there are some things to watch for before
you run it..


"Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
> When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
> idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and
to
> restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
> saying it is unable to repair.
> Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
> program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
> repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
> I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
which
> came up clean.
> I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
> even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>
> Thank you
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

The most likely correct response to this is to ignore it, then run Scandisk
and/or other disk diagnostic disks to make sure it's healthy.

My only other recommendation is to stop using Norton products and instead
use something that's more Win9x friendly. AVG, AVAST, or EZ Antivirus from
Computer Associates (E-Trust), for example.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
> When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
> idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and
> to
> restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
> saying it is unable to repair.
> Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
> program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
> repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
> I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
> which
> came up clean.
> I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
> even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>
> Thank you
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
> When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
> idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and to
> restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
> saying it is unable to repair.
> Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
> program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
> repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
> I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site which
> came up clean.
> I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
> even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>
> Thank you
Get the latest updates from Norton and then run a full scan.
Choose ignore if it says the boot record has changed when you try the scan.
After the scan, if it found no problems close down the Norton interface and then
reopen it.
Try to scan a simple file with Norton and if it again gives you that Boot Record
has changed, accept it.
Norton comes up with that message many times right after I do an Norton
LiveUpdate.
It's a pain.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

And yet, you *still* use it?!?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:X-udnTQL8PEGrZDeRVn-vA@comcast.com...

> Norton comes up with that message many times right after I do an Norton
> LiveUpdate.
> It's a pain.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Gary,

Have you ever wondered if Peter Norton has considered changing his name?
<G>

--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uJ7WRYQqFHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> The most likely correct response to this is to ignore it, then run
> Scandisk and/or other disk diagnostic disks to make sure it's healthy.
>
> My only other recommendation is to stop using Norton products and instead
> use something that's more Win9x friendly. AVG, AVAST, or EZ Antivirus from
> Computer Associates (E-Trust), for example.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
>
> "Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
>> When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have
>> no
>> idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected
>> and to
>> restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new
>> window
>> saying it is unable to repair.
>> Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
>> program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
>> repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
>> I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
>> which
>> came up clean.
>> I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
>> even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>>
>> Thank you
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

As a matter of fact, that question *did* cross my mind several months ago,
<s>.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Ron Badour" <Sorry@NoAddress.com> wrote in message
news:%23DWDvUSqFHA.2276@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Gary,
>
> Have you ever wondered if Peter Norton has considered changing his name?
> <G>
>
> --
> Regards
>
>
> Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
> Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
> Knowledge Base Info:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
>
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uJ7WRYQqFHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> The most likely correct response to this is to ignore it, then run
>> Scandisk and/or other disk diagnostic disks to make sure it's healthy.
>>
>> My only other recommendation is to stop using Norton products and instead
>> use something that's more Win9x friendly. AVG, AVAST, or EZ Antivirus
>> from Computer Associates (E-Trust), for example.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>>
>> "Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
>>> When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have
>>> no
>>> idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected
>>> and to
>>> restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new
>>> window
>>> saying it is unable to repair.
>>> Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
>>> program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
>>> repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
>>> I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
>>> which
>>> came up clean.
>>> I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
>>> even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>>>
>>> Thank you
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:45:02 -0700, "Jackie_D"
<JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
>idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and to
>restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
>saying it is unable to repair.
>Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
>program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
>repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
>I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site which
>came up clean.
>I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
>even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>
>Thank you

Jackie,

Nav stores the MBR information when it's run the first time. If the
MBR is changed for any reason then NAV assumes it has a virus and
offers to fix it.

I accidentally let NAV "fix" it one time and it rendered the drive
useless. Using Fdisk /mbr did not fix it, I had to use a special
utility (Mbrwork) to restore it.

Personally I would not let NAV fix anything other than removing a
virus. I suggest an AV program like AVG (free) or the others that
Gary suggested.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.ptd.net/~bwatt/

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uW3XgDSqFHA.544@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> And yet, you *still* use it?!?
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
>
> "Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
> news:X-udnTQL8PEGrZDeRVn-vA@comcast.com...
>
> > Norton comes up with that message many times right after I do an Norton
> > LiveUpdate.
> > It's a pain.

Yep, it's only a small pain.
Incidentally, does the free AVG do as good a job on monitoring for viruses,etc
while surfing on the Internet as NSW2003Pro
seems to do?
I am thinking of switching.
Do you know of any problems with uninstalling the anti-virus portion on
NSW2003Pro and keeping the Norton Utilities intact, mainly Ghost,DiskDoctor and
SpeedDisk and using the free AVG?
The reason I want to keep DiskDoctor and SpeedDisk is that they are a lot faster
than the ME defrag and 98's scandisk.
Also, does it monitor you incoming and outgoing mail as well as NSW2003Pro does?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Can't help you. I am an expert in neither program. I use CA products.
Suggest a new thread.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:Z5GdnaHxb60obJDeRVn-uw@comcast.com...
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uW3XgDSqFHA.544@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> And yet, you *still* use it?!?
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>>
>> "Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:X-udnTQL8PEGrZDeRVn-vA@comcast.com...
>>
>> > Norton comes up with that message many times right after I do an Norton
>> > LiveUpdate.
>> > It's a pain.
>
> Yep, it's only a small pain.
> Incidentally, does the free AVG do as good a job on monitoring for
> viruses,etc
> while surfing on the Internet as NSW2003Pro
> seems to do?
> I am thinking of switching.
> Do you know of any problems with uninstalling the anti-virus portion on
> NSW2003Pro and keeping the Norton Utilities intact, mainly
> Ghost,DiskDoctor and
> SpeedDisk and using the free AVG?
> The reason I want to keep DiskDoctor and SpeedDisk is that they are a lot
> faster
> than the ME defrag and 98's scandisk.
> Also, does it monitor you incoming and outgoing mail as well as NSW2003Pro
> does?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:eF90EeZqFHA.904@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Can't help you. I am an expert in neither program. I use CA products.
> Suggest a new thread.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune

Thanks,
I thought you used it and just wanted your opinion.
I'll do some further research.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

'S OK! I wish I could steal enough time to set up a decent multi-boot system
here. I tried Virtual PC but it's a dog on my hardware, and I have to use my
RAID to support the HDDs because there's five of them and three optical
drives. Damned Highpoint controller on this board is about as touchy as can
be. Thinking of getting a card to replace the controller.

Anyway, once I get some decent test beds up, I intend to install a lot more
things like AVG, AVAST, even NIS, purely so I can support them.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:XsCdnfJol5mjvZPeRVn-2A@comcast.com...
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:eF90EeZqFHA.904@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> Can't help you. I am an expert in neither program. I use CA products.
>> Suggest a new thread.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>
> Thanks,
> I thought you used it and just wanted your opinion.
> I'll do some further research.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

1st off, thank you for the replies: Now an update: I ran the fdisk and format
tools per the instructions in the link you sent, Andre. (Although the doc.
warned me all I had on drive c during the format would be lost, it wasn't.)
I still get the messages when trying to run Norton, so I took Gary's advice
and downloaded AVG, so far, so good there, altho was wondering the same as
Buffalo as far as keeping NSW utilities,will check maybe in the AVG forums on
that.
Since I had been having some windows problems,(crashes, various errors, and
trouble loading windows), I decided to try re-installing.The system
restoration cd informed me that The first hard drive does not contain a FAT
16 or FAT 32 windows partition. (I have only one hard drive, and the FAT 32
partition was successful) it goes on to advise me to install DOS CD-Rom
drivers manually--see file C:\Configs.txt (have had NO luck finding this
file) and then to partition disk drive using fdisk b4 running restoration cd
again.

"Andre" wrote:

> from a boot disk if you run the option fdisk /mbr it recreates the master
> boot record..
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q69013
>
> there are some details on it, but there are some things to watch for before
> you run it..
>
>
> "Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
> > When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
> > idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and
> to
> > restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
> > saying it is unable to repair.
> > Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
> > program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
> > repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
> > I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
> which
> > came up clean.
> > I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
> > even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> >
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Bill,
Thanks for your input. I have downloaded AVG...it's working well, so far.
Where do I find the utility, Mbrwork, that you mentioned, and....is it
friendly to the slightly technically challenged?

thanks,
Jackie

"Bill Watt" wrote:

> On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:45:02 -0700, "Jackie_D"
> <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have no
> >idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected and to
> >restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new window
> >saying it is unable to repair.
> >Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
> >program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
> >repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
> >I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site which
> >came up clean.
> >I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
> >even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
> >
> >Thank you
>
> Jackie,
>
> Nav stores the MBR information when it's run the first time. If the
> MBR is changed for any reason then NAV assumes it has a virus and
> offers to fix it.
>
> I accidentally let NAV "fix" it one time and it rendered the drive
> useless. Using Fdisk /mbr did not fix it, I had to use a special
> utility (Mbrwork) to restore it.
>
> Personally I would not let NAV fix anything other than removing a
> virus. I suggest an AV program like AVG (free) or the others that
> Gary suggested.
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill Watt
> Computer Help and Information http://home.ptd.net/~bwatt/
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

From that evidence, I would suggest that the drive is still messed up. I
would scrape up (er, back up) your personal files, and otherwise prepare to
FDISK the drive and start over from scratch. First, though, get a disk
diagnostics app that runs from a bootable floppy and make sure that drive is
worth playing with. If this disk isn't perfectly healthy, go get a new one,
install to that, and later copy your personal files over.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5A873B54-7642-4677-81C9-CA507FC530A5@microsoft.com...
> Since I had been having some windows problems,(crashes, various errors,
> and
> trouble loading windows), I decided to try re-installing.The system
> restoration cd informed me that The first hard drive does not contain a
> FAT
> 16 or FAT 32 windows partition. (I have only one hard drive, and the FAT
> 32
> partition was successful) it goes on to advise me to install DOS CD-Rom
> drivers manually--see file C:\Configs.txt (have had NO luck finding this
> file) and then to partition disk drive using fdisk b4 running restoration
> cd
> again.
>
> "Andre" wrote:
>
>> from a boot disk if you run the option fdisk /mbr it recreates the
>> master
>> boot record..
>>
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q69013
>>
>> there are some details on it, but there are some things to watch for
>> before
>> you run it..
>>
>>
>> "Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E7DCFA02-7F3F-44B8-9011-A5189D4C6E85@microsoft.com...
>> > When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have
>> > no
>> > idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected
>> > and
>> to
>> > restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new
>> > window
>> > saying it is unable to repair.
>> > Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
>> > program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
>> > repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
>> > I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
>> which
>> > came up clean.
>> > I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at
>> > an
>> > even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>> >
>> > Thank you
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

No, MBRWORK is not novice-friendly. It allows you to view and edit the
actual code in the MBR, etc. If you don't know a *lot* about what you're
doing, don't touch!

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User

"Jackie_D" <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:073CEE50-2144-4EA0-945A-DE42E6A9A269@microsoft.com...
> Bill,
> Thanks for your input. I have downloaded AVG...it's working well, so far.
> Where do I find the utility, Mbrwork, that you mentioned, and....is it
> friendly to the slightly technically challenged?
>
> thanks,
> Jackie
>
> "Bill Watt" wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:45:02 -0700, "Jackie_D"
>> <JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> >When I run NAV, I get a message telling me the MBR has changed. (I have
>> >no
>> >idea why this is happening). I choose the option that it is unexpected
>> >and to
>> >restore it to insure it does not contain viruses. Then, I get a new
>> >window
>> >saying it is unable to repair.
>> >Also when running Disk Doctor, thru Norton, I get the message that the
>> >program is fixing DOS Boot Record, then; Boot Record could not be
>> >repaired-unable to continue the rest of test.
>> >I was able to run a complete virus scan at trend micro housecall site
>> >which
>> >came up clean.
>> >I am at a loss as to why the boot record is in need of repair, and at an
>> >even greater loss as to how to repair this. Any help, please?
>> >
>> >Thank you
>>
>> Jackie,
>>
>> Nav stores the MBR information when it's run the first time. If the
>> MBR is changed for any reason then NAV assumes it has a virus and
>> offers to fix it.
>>
>> I accidentally let NAV "fix" it one time and it rendered the drive
>> useless. Using Fdisk /mbr did not fix it, I had to use a special
>> utility (Mbrwork) to restore it.
>>
>> Personally I would not let NAV fix anything other than removing a
>> virus. I suggest an AV program like AVG (free) or the others that
>> Gary suggested.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Bill Watt
>> Computer Help and Information http://home.ptd.net/~bwatt/
>>
>>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:Z5GdnaHxb60obJDeRVn-uw@comcast.com...
> snip
> Incidentally, does the free AVG do as good a job on monitoring for viruses,etc
> while surfing on the Internet as NSW2003Pro
> seems to do?
> I am thinking of switching.
> Do you know of any problems with uninstalling the anti-virus portion on
> NSW2003Pro and keeping the Norton Utilities intact, mainly Ghost,DiskDoctor and
> SpeedDisk and using the free AVG?
> The reason I want to keep DiskDoctor and SpeedDisk is that they are a lot faster
> than the ME defrag and 98's scandisk.
> Also, does it monitor you incoming and outgoing mail as well as NSW2003Pro does?

I stopped using AVG a while back, and switched to the free version of AVAST.
Reports I have indicate that AVG is lately doing a poor job of detecting newer
trojans, and I do not rely on it as the sole A-V on a system any longer. So far, I
am happy with the protection afforded by AVAST. Another free A-V that I have gotten
good reports about, is Anti-Vir. Certainly, eTrust is at least as good as
Symantec's product for virus protection.

Any problems associated with uninstalling the A-V portion of NSW should be no
different than problems from uninstalling it along with the rest of NSW. NAV leaves
behind a LOT of Registry entries and files, no matter how you uninstall it, and the
SOP is to clean up the Registry after the uninstall.

There is no good reason to monitor ingoing and outgoing email....even Symantec
support itself admits that. The main reason for adding email scanning is to make
the consumer "feel good". The resident system scanner does all that is needed. I
do not even install the email-scanning modules of any anti-virus app I install.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:48:02 -0700, "Jackie_D"
<JackieD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Bill,
>Thanks for your input. I have downloaded AVG...it's working well, so far.
>Where do I find the utility, Mbrwork, that you mentioned, and....is it
>friendly to the slightly technically challenged?
>
>thanks,
>Jackie

This is the Mbrwork menu:

Please Choose one of the following options:

1) Backup First Track 2) Restore First Track
3) Reset EMBR area to zero 4) Reset MBR to zero
5) Install standard MBR code 6) Set a partition active
7) Change active hard drive 9) Edit Partition Entry
C) Capture Sectors R) Restore Sectors
T) Transfer Sectors P) Compare Sectors
E) Exit

Choose Option:

As you can see it's not user friendly and is very technical. It's
for the advanced user. If you ever have the problem where you can
access the C:\ prompt in Dos but the DIR command shows no folders or
files then using Fdisk /mbr may repair it. There are warnings for
using this command as well. See this:
FDISK /MBR rewrites the Master Boot Record
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q69013/
Warnings are near the bottom of the MS article.

If you ever have this situation and Fdisk /mbr does not help then
the disk may be a candidate for Mbrwork. Have a knowledgeable friend
search Google for it and run it from a write enabled floppy.

From what you say I would advise you to get a knowledgeable friend
to help you if you ever need it. There may be other conditions
present.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.ptd.net/~bwatt/