Definition: The master boot code is one of several parts of the master boot record and performs the first set of important functions in the process of booting.
Assuming the master boot code is executed properly by the BIOS, the master boot code hands off booting control to the volume boot code, part of the volume boot sector, on the partition on the hard drive that contains the operating system.
If for some reason the master boot code is not executed properly, you may see errors like Missing operating system, Invalid partition table, or Error loading operating system. Which of those errors seen is an indication as to what part of the master boot code execution failed.
Also Known As: MBC
Examples:
"The master boot could couldn't load the Master Partition Table so it gave me the 'Invalid partition table' error. Repairing the MBR corrected the problem."
