Computer will not boot up shows msg "loading PBR for descriptor 2...done" and hangs up there

That message indicates that the Dell backup partition is trying to load but can't. I would suggest that this indicates a hard drive failure. You can try pressing ctrl+F11 during the startup to try to access the system restore partition, but it looks like, to me, the hard drive is toast.

try this do a total recovery or factory reset from windows recoverypartition.to get there tap on F8,F10 OR DEL.then there use the use tools there to recovery.do this when windows boot one tap a second.

And again and again and drives you up the wall.OK-boot sector is corrupted, or hard drive is going south.What you can try is system restore.On boot see which button is designated for that-usually f10 or f12.Start tapping that button and follow instructions. If that failed, the only option is to reinstall OS.If you have a lot of stuff that you want to save, install Windows in different folder, say WindowsA.All your stuff will be saved on the Hard drive-My Documents.Good luck and keep us posted.

"Loading PBR for descriptor 2 ... failed" would be the exact error message if the MBR is unable to load the partition boot record for the second partition. There may be more, but here are three possible causes:
1) the partition table is corrupted so that the descriptor points to the wrong place (i.e., says the partition is one place when it's really somewhere else);

2) the partition table descriptor points to the right place, but the boot record there is corrupted or has been erased;
3) The hard disk is failing and having trouble reading the sector with the boot record.

To check (1), visit www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm and download the dsrfix utility. In short, if dsrfix reports a clean bill of health, then (1) isn't the problem.

To check (3), run hard disk diagnostic tests. Press F12 when the machine is starting and see if the bios boot menu offers you a hard disk diagnostic test that you can run. Or even better, if you know the brand of the hard disk, most manufacturers should have a free diagnostic utility you can download to test the hard disk.

If it's not (1) or (3), then use Ctrl+F11 to run the Dell restore utility to recreate the Windows partition.

PBR is the partition boot record and holds information regarding how to boot.
Dell systems use three partitions on the Hard disk - descriptor 1 is the Dell Utility partition, 2 is the XP partition, and 3 is the Dell Restore partition.

The error you are getting is due to a corrupt boot record.

Try this:
1- Start up the computer and click F12 to give you the boot-up options.
2- Insert Windows Installation/Recovery CD into CDROM, choose CDROM boot option and click enter.
3- Let the installation process continue until it prompts you "Press R to repair". . .this should then take you into the DOS mode.
4- Type in FIXBOOT and when prompted, press "Y" to start creating the new boot partition. If everything goes right, you should get a message saying the partition was corrupted and a new one was created successfully.
5- Remove the CD and reboot your system, everything SHOULD be ok now.

N.B: Dont try a FIXMBR or you'll loose you hidden dell partitions, meaning if you haven't backed it up onto DVD, you cant go back to the original factory settings if you ever need to.

That is the boot loader message to boot to the NTFS Primary boot partition (Primary Boot Record for Descriptor 1 is the Utility partition)
Normally, this message flashes and the system boots, since it is not there is a failure in the boot process.
#1 run diags on the Hard Drive (CTRL+ALT+D at boot) and see if it passes
If it does
#2 Boot to you XP CD, press R for recovery console, and run the COMMAND CHKDSK /R see if the system will boot
If no go, go back to recovery console, try the command BOOTCFG /Rebuild then see if the system will boot
If That fails, try reinstalling Windows
If Diags Fail or all the above fail, replace the hard drive

I suspect that the viruses had infected some of the files that windows needed to boot up. The moment you ran the Mcafee, the scanning might have deleted or quarantined those files. That is the reason you're having this Loading PBR message because it is now trying to boot from the network and not from the hard drive. You will need to repair windows using the CDs that came with the computer (the Operating system CD/DVD) and run CHKDSK /R at the screen where it says 'repair your computer using the command prompt". If this does not work, chances are, you may need to reinstall windows and everything and that all information in your hard drive will be wiped out.

your hard drive has been corrupted due to improper shutdown

Boot to the Diagnistics FN+POWER at boot, run hard drive diagnostics. The PBR Descriptor 2 message is part of the normal boot process (directing the boot loader to Primary Boot Recond 2, the C: Drive) but usually flashes on an off so fast most people never notice it. Since the boot process is not going past the re-direct it is indicative of a bad hdd (Since the re-image process crashed)
Most likely you are looking at a hard drive replacement.
Regardless you are going to need an XP CD (you'll have to reinstall windows or run recovery console at a minimum)

hi there.. i'd really hate to say it but you have to reinstall your operating system.. honestly even if your're gonna try running chkdsk/p or /r it still no good it will just waste your time.