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Windows doesn't install ?
Posted by Anbu
Published on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Problem:
Windows doesn't install! I want to wipe the Master Boot Record / wipe my HDD clean!
Solution:
Windows doesn't install! I want to wipe the Master Boot Record / wipe my HDD clean!
Solution:
If you can no longer install Windows due to messed-up boot settings, there is a way to reset them. Here is how to do that. This guide also works if you want to wipe your HDD for other reasons; except security reasons: with this guide the data will still be there and is recoverable by professionals.
Download the base FreeDOS ISO, and burn it on a CD. Boot the CD. You will get a command prompt; below I assume the drive letter for that prompt is "X". First, try erasing the master boot record only, and keep the partitions intact. For that you need to type the following commands:
X:> CD FREEDOS
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK /MBR
That will wipe the Master Boot Record on the HDD. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL
If it still doesn't work, you choose to proceed with wiping the HDD. Be aware this deletes any recovery partition as well! Start FreeDOS again. Type the following commands:
X:> CD FREEDOS
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK
That will start the FDISK utility. Delete all partitions (the interface is self-explanatory).
Close FDISK.
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK /MBR
That will wipe the Master Boot Record on the HDD.
Press CTRL ALTDEL
To also remove the partition table, download Knoppix from knopper.org, burn the ISO on a CD, boot from that CD. Type startx if XWindows doesn't start automatically; after XWindows starts, press ALT+F2 to get the runbox; type qtparted. Remove and rebuild the partition table.
Finally, use FDISK or a clean XP orVista installation CD to re-create the partitions as you wish them.
Download the base FreeDOS ISO, and burn it on a CD. Boot the CD. You will get a command prompt; below I assume the drive letter for that prompt is "X". First, try erasing the master boot record only, and keep the partitions intact. For that you need to type the following commands:
X:> CD FREEDOS
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK /MBR
That will wipe the Master Boot Record on the HDD. Press CTRL+ALT+
If it still doesn't work, you choose to proceed with wiping the HDD. Be aware this deletes any recovery partition as well! Start FreeDOS again. Type the following commands:
X:> CD FREEDOS
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK
That will start the FDISK utility. Delete all partitions (the interface is self-explanatory).
Close FDISK.
X:\FREEDOS> FDISK /MBR
That will wipe the Master Boot Record on the HDD.
Press CTRL ALT
To also remove the partition table, download Knoppix from knopper.org, burn the ISO on a CD, boot from that CD. Type startx if XWindows doesn't start automatically; after XWindows starts, press ALT+F2 to get the runbox; type qtparted. Remove and rebuild the partition table.
Finally, use FDISK or a clean XP or
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