Bootsect Command-Line Options

Bootsect Command-Line Options

Bootsect.exe updates the master boot code for hard disk partitions to switch between BOOTMGR and NTLDR. You can use this tool to restore the boot sector on your computer. This tool replaces FixFAT and FixNTFS.

Bootsect Commands

Bootsect uses the following conventions:

bootsect.exe {/help | /nt52 | /nt60} {SYS | ALL | <DriveLetter:>} [/force]

For example, to apply the master boot code that is compatible with NTLDR to the volume labeled E, use the following command:

bootsect.exe /nt52 E:

Command	Description
/help	Displays these usage instructions.
/nt52	Applies the master boot code that is compatible with NTLDR to SYS, ALL, or <DriveLetter>. The operating system installed on SYS, ALL, or <DriveLetter> must be a previous version of Windows Vista.
/nt60	Applies the master boot code that is compatible with BOOTMGR to SYS, ALL, or <DriveLetter>. The operating system installed on SYS, ALL, or <DriveLetter> must be Windows Vista.
SYS	Updates the master boot code on the system partition used to boot Windows.
ALL	Updates the master boot code on all partitions. ALL does not necessarily update the boot code for each volume. Instead, this option updates the boot code on volumes that can be used as Windows boot volumes, which excludes any dynamic volumes that are not connected with an underlying disk partition. This restriction is present because boot code must be located at the beginning of a disk partition.
<DriveLetter>	Updates the master boot code on the volume associated with this drive letter. Boot code will not be updated if either 1) <DriveLetter> is not associated with a volume or 2) <DriveLetter> is associated with a volume not connected to an underlying disk partition.
/force	Forcibly dismounts the volume(s) during the boot code update. You must use this option with caution. If Bootsect.exe cannot gain exclusive volume access, then the file system may overwrite the boot code before the next reboot. Bootsect.exe always attempts to lock and dismount the volume before each update. When /force is specified, a forced dismount is attempted if the initial lock attempt fails. A lock can fail, for example, if files on the destination volume are currently opened by other programs. When successful, a forced dismount enables exclusive volume access and a reliable boot code update even though the initial lock failed. At the same time, a forced dismount invalidates all open handles to files on the destination volume. This can result in unexpected behavior from the programs that opened these files. Therefore, use this option with caution.

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Volume Boot Code, not Master Boot Code

TimFisherIT | Edit | Show History

The bootsect command updates the volume boot code, not the master boot code. The master boot code is part of the master boot record and there's only one per physical disk. The volume boot code is part of the volume boot record and there's one per volume.

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Not available in Vista recovery?

Freqy ... Charlieb000 | Edit | Show History

Q: Not in X:\boot, which doesn't exist to begin with. Which begs the question, what use is it?

A: You could always build your own ISO and include bootsect JM

A2: Just type it into the address bar (X being the correct driver letter). it works (some sort of super hidden folder i guess). but alas, i only see memtest.exe, (and no, its definately not there).

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bootsect and windows xp

John86 | Edit | Show History

I you're running Windows xp and want bootsect you can get it from the WAIK, it is located at "Windows AIK\Tools\PETools\x86\bootsect.exe". You can then copy it to the "%systemroot%\system32" directory and use it from the command line.

* Yes you need to install WAIK on your computer to get bootsect.exe

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You have to boot the system with your Windows 7 / Vista installation disk.

mmmelaney | Edit | Show History

This is one of MS's little attempts at making life difficult for power users. Boot with your repair or installation disk and go into the command line under repair options. If you don't have one type "repair disk" in your start search dialogue to create one. Backup your system with something like Drive Image XML and make a boot disk for it before messing with these commands! Windows has a backup image tool too but I've never used it. :(

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Bootable USB

imsaguy ... taning | Edit | Show History

This is great if you need to make a USB drive bootable.

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