Dualboot XP & Vista: How to backup & Recover MBR?

Question

I found out a while ago Vista overwrites the bootloader of XP to create the dualboot system. Instead of reinstalling everything I'm used to using tools like Norton Ghost & Acronis to recover from DVD images.

In a hypothetical situation: if I were to put back an Image of Windows XP by Norton or Acronis, would it be able to put back my MBR as well??

I really want to be able to backup and recover the Master Boot Record. Any information on other options also very much appreciated.

Answer 1

1. Yes. There are programs that back up your MBR. I don't know if those specific programs do that, though. Try

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

if you can't find a program that does; this CD has a few programs that do just that.

2. You can restore the XP MBR at any time by inserting the XP CD and starting the Recovery Console. You then enter

fdisk /MBR

to reinstall the default XP MBR.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what your trying to accomplish but here is a link to a free MBR utility.

http://www.geocities.com/mbrwizard/

Answer 3

Bootcamp isn't a application to place in 2 working structures- it purely partitions the rigidity to allow you set interior the 2d. All computers have the equipped in skill to allow you opt for for. For a working laptop or computer, i might propose downloading gparted and burning it to a disk. Boot from that disk and you would be supplied with a map of your stressful rigidity. good click on the great huge block and resize it. Then click on now sparkling spot and make a sparkling ntfs partition (confirm you opt for for ntfs). Hit be sure and watch for it to resize. Now, it relatively is purely such as you used Bootcamp on a mac- once you insert the installation disk you will get to compliment which partition to place in it on. confirm you opt for for the hot one. once you're installation Vista now, the bootloader might desire to at once know XP and you gets asked which OS to load (it relatively is not as great with the aid of fact the Macs with the aid of fact they use a greater moderen technologies besides, inspite of the shown fact that it nevertheless works). in case you're installation XP, you will might desire to manually regulate the bootloader as a manner to come back into Vista (with the aid of fact domicile windows isn't smart sufficient to renowned the greater moderen OS).