On November 20, 2004 08:02, Lanman wrote: ...
But the fact that something is preventing me from writing to the MBR has me very curious too. This is the first time I've ever seen this at all in about 10 years, and re-doing the BIOS would usually kill any TSR or other virus embedded onto the motherboard.
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If anyone has another idea, please keep them coming. I'll check in once in a while from the jobsite to see what's what (IMAP is a wonderful thing!), since I don't go anywhere without Mr. Laptop!
Adios Amigos! Buenos Dias!
Just a wild guess, but it sounds like there might be something in the BIOS or the drive (or something to do with the BIOS/motherboard/drive combination) that's preventing writing to the MBR. Perhaps something intended to prevent boot sector viruses (someone with the Windoze only mindset might have decided that you don't need to ever change the MBR; the same "we know best" mindset that keeps them from letting you turn off the abs brakes or the air bags in your car, and keeps pilots from taking evasive action in fly-by-wire planes).
Try looking for an "MBR write protect" BIOS setting or drive jumper. Maybe even a motherboard jumper.
Or maybe it has some of the new DRM ("Denial of your Right to Modify") technology from M$. You might have to go to Redmond on bended knee and kiss Gates' ring for permission to install non-M$ software. Google "Trustworthy Computing" for details.
Ron, Nice try, but I don't DO Windows here at my shop except for clients who are emotionally dependant or otherwise addicted to a lack of imagination.
Speaking of Windows, my new HP ZD7000 laptop (for example),was quickly de-loused using Mandrake 10.1 and except for the typical Winmodem uselessness and a laptop that sucks battery power (due to the Intel P4-3.2Ghz CPU and 17" display) faster than the TGV in France, it's been sweet. Ya gotta love this stuff. I'd rather go without a modem than run Windows.
I'm going to check the owners manual for the motherboard to see if there is a write protect jumper but there's definitely nothing in the BIOS that mentions a boot virus protection option. Only one to allow automatic BIOS Updates and I tried that both on and off to see if it was responsible.
Either it's a jumper, it was never there in the first place or Asus forgot to include it in subsequent BIOS updates. As previously mentioned, I am keeping a large hammer nearby in case of emergency or extreme frustration.
-- Lanman Registered Linux User #190712
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