My laptop will not boot. It appears the MBR is gone. HW seems to be OK.

[sfs-dls]

Laptop will not boot.  All recovery options have failed.  HW appears to the OK.  I think the MBR is corrupted (or gone).  Windows 10 came preinstalled, so I don't have media.  I have a system recovery CD, but apparently can't boot from that.  I have a recent full backup - if I can get the pc booted (and BU software reinstalled).  Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

[iomare]

Hi,

When you say the hardware seems to be OK, have you performed diagnostics as boot?

Turn off the PC by holding the power button

Turn on the PC and repeatedly keep hitting the ESC key until startup menu appears

Press F2 to enter diagnostics

Perform the system test or at least the Hard Drive test

Does the Hard Drive pass the test.

You can create bootable media with Windows 10 on it directly from Microsoft (on a different PC), you do not need product key as it is in the firmware.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You can then boot from the USB drive and try to repair the current installation or perform a clean install.

I would like to add that you should replace the mechanical Hard Drive with a 2.5" SSD (and reinstall the OS) as it will give a great boost to the everyday performance of the PC for a low price.

Hope it helps,

David

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[sfs-dls]

Thanks, David.   Yes, it has passed all of the HW UEFI diagnostics.  I was able to build a bootable USB drive and can reinstall the OS ( I have not reinstalled yet.)  I'm kind of an old guy and still remember my DOS days.  This type of problem seemed to be more common back then.  So, using the diskpart utility, I have discovered that everything that was on the C: & 😧 (recovery) drives is still there and intact.  I would really love to find a way to just fix the boot issue without having to do a reinstall / restore.  Any suggestions ?

Yeah, I agree that getting an SSD is the best way to go; just don't know if I can do that right now.

Thanks again,

Stuart