Solved Can I use Windows 7 install disc to fix faulty Vista Master Boot Record?

Hello,

Here is the situation: Partition Table Doctor suggested I change the total sector number of my hard disk for some unknown reason, and I did. After I rebooted, Vista wouldn't boot. I had something like this happen on my other computer, and I used the Windows 7 disc to fix the MBR in a jiffy.

But I am wondering whether there is any danger in using Windows 7 install disc to fix a Vista x64 Home (not sure if Premium) Master Boot Record. I don't have a Vista disc because Gateway didn't include one with the laptop when I bought it.

Thanks for your help.

Hello ayuda, and welcome to Vista Forums.

No, you wouldn't be able to use the Windows 7 installation disc to do startup repair on Vista.

However, if you like, you can download an official Vista with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Vista Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable installation DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do a startup repair with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks very much Shawn. I will get on this right away and post an update later with the results.

Dean

For what it's worth, the windows 7 install disc kindly offered to repair my vista boot configuration, and lo and behold, everything is back to normal. Anyway, it's great to know my data is safe now. Thanks again.

That's great news. I wouldn't have thought it would work with Vista.

Brink said:

That's great news. I wouldn't have thought it would work with Vista.

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Well the 2 do use the same file system so if that's all he needed then it doesn't surprise me although it offering did. However if the OP really needed to repair the OS then it wouldn't work.

Startup repair works fine - system restore doesn't seem to.

Brink said:

That's great news. I wouldn't have thought it would work with Vista.

Click to expand...

Probably a good idea to get a vista repair cd together. Easy to do - you only need the boot.wim from the vista d/l Shawn linked to.