CNET Editors' review
This handy application manages your master boot record (MBR), but the interface and program complexity render it appropriate for advanced users only. MBRFix's command-line-executable interface has 13 functions that are easily listed with the /? option. The utility was designed to save an MBR to a file for transfer or backup. Drive-partition information is easy to get and delete with two command-line arguments. Advanced users will find it simple to read, write, or generate drive signatures with the proper arguments. The included HTML document page lists the arguments but expects users to understand their use. MBRFix is a tiny executable and operates quickly; most operations are completed in a few seconds. However, users can accidentally delete partitions and important data. Accordingly, we highly recommend this invaluable freeware tool only for system techs and advanced users who often install operating systems and switch out drives.
Publisher's Description
From Systemintegrasjon:
Tool to fix or create Master Boot Record (MBR) on hard disks (supports Windows PE). Supported commands: display drive information, drive size in MB as return value, display partition information, save MBR and partitions to file, restore MBR and partitions from file, update MBR code to W2K/XP/2003, delete partitions in MBR, read disk signature from MBR, write disk signature from MBR, generate disk signature in MBR, read state from byte 0x1b0 in MBR, write state to byte 0x1b0 in MBR, get volume information for partition.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 17 votes
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Current version:
3.4 starsout of 17 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Command line tool that didn't even work"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
It was free, although I it's not a pro if it doesn't work.
Cons
Avoid if you want to fix your mbr
Summary
After several wasted hours trying to get this to run, I found mbrwizard with a nice graphical interface, and fixed my hard drive in less than 5 minutes! http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php
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"Avoid... Unusable!"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Free, that's the only good part.
Cons
Too difficult to use. Finding a way to run it was impossible, as was finding the options I was looking for.
Summary
A command line interface for such an app is ridiculous, I suspect it has done more damage than good on most computers... like mine. :( After further searching I found mbrwizard with a nice gui and boot disk builder. http://firesage.com/mbrwizard.php
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"Essential in recovery of messed up dual boot systems"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Bare bones, but this utility has all the basic features to reset a MBR when dual boot goes haywire after failed OS installs. Way better than trying to rebuild or restore a boot record manually.
Cons
I had no problems with this application, but It does assume you know a bit about boot records, so I'd recommend a bit of online reading before just using it in "blind faith mode" ... the info with the program itself is just adequate.
Summary
I used it to recover both Linux, XP and Win7 MBRs , all OK ! This after several failed installs of dual boot XP Pro SP3 and Win 7 Pro, Linux and Vista (eecchhh) - relocated MBR was too far gone to be recognizable. MBRfix recreated a usable boot record in seconds as opposed to the hours I might have spent reformatting and restoring from backups. I recommend this to anyone running mutli boot systems.
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"Worked Great"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Used to remove Ubuntu boot. Did great job
Cons
None that I can think of.
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"Did the job"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Easy to use and understand
Cons
Nothing untoward comes to mind
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"Fixed Seagate cloning issue"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Resolved a BSOD error caused by using a Seagate utility to clone to a larger drive. Would occur whenever I tried to backup my system to my Windows Home Server. Saved a lot of hassle.
Cons
Use is a bit complicated. Required having to go to the website for the proper commands. I hate to have to RTFM. Not a big deal tho.
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"Only good windows access"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
Don't know
Cons
No good if you can't get into windows, which I can't, I need a MRB fix for dos, so far all I have tried don't work.
Summary
I didn't notice the screenie was for a dos box, I thought it was DOS dos, alas does not appear to work in native DOS or from a bootable disk
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"Does exactly what it says on the tin!"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
I have been getting an MBR error at boot time for months. This software fixed my MBR error very quickly and with no fuss (on a system with XP SP3).
Cons
Actually for me, there are no cons. But I guess it isn't the easiest of things to use if you are not confident using a command line.
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"This ROCKS!"
Version: MbrFix 1
Pros
I've been looking for something simple like this for ages. I too have lots my boot disks, so needed this to fix up my MBR after playing around with Linux.
It works, it is easy and it is free. It is good!
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"Worthless with an interface from 1980"
Version: MbrFix 1
Cons
Wow...I can't believe Download.com allows a DOS program. This is 25 years out of date.
