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Thread: Help - NTLDR is missing

  1. #1
    Senior Member dgfds01's Avatar
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    Default Help - NTLDR is missing

    Ok before anyone tells me to Google around, I did but still can't find a solution. So hear me out...

    I've been trying to install Win XP on a freshly formatted hard drive. To cut a long story short, we've had an old computer lying around doing nothing much because the hard drive had crashed. Decided it's something my parents could use so I got an old, workable hard drive lying around. I no longer use it since I've upgraded to one with greater capacity.

    Anyway, I formatted the drive and popped it into the computer. Put the Win XP CD in and attampted to install. But the thing returns a message "NTLDR is missing".

    The boot sequence has been set to boot from CD. Unfortunately, that's not happening. It won't even get to the stage where it says "Press any key to boot from CD". BIOS does recognise the CD drive.

    I've tried swapping CDs and CD drives. Still the same thing.

    I've checked the cables and the jumpers, no probs there.

    For the record, I can boot from the floppy drive.

    Any ideas? Help would be very much appreciated.

  2. #2
    Senior Member HuangYushi's Avatar
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    I'm no expert in this, but you didn't mention not reading the document below in your post:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314057
    Might that be helpful?

    Or perhaps the following:
    1. http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
    2. http://www.quickonlinetips.com/archi...ey-to-restart/
    Jin Yong's Ode to Gallantry [侠客行].
    Quote Originally Posted by atlantean0208
    what about SPT, I need my SPT fix ASAP, pretty pleaseeeee...
    Soon ... SOON!

  3. #3
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    You're getting the error message because the BIOS is not detecting a bootable disk on your hard drive. Did you format the drive properly? The "NTLDR is missing" message suggests there are some Windows boot files still on the boot partition. But that's not the real issue. Your problem is your CD Boot sequence. It seems the XP CD is not recognised as a bootable disk by the BIOS or CD Drive. Therefore, during the boot process, it by passes the CDROM boot option and checks for any OS on your hard drive.

    2 things you can test:

    1. Pop another bootable disk in the PC. if it works, then its your XP CD that is faulty.

    2. Take the XP CD and boot it up from another PC/laptop. If it works, then it could be your CD Drive or BIOS.

  4. #4
    Senior Member dgfds01's Avatar
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    Yushi, thanks but I've gone through those sites before. No help.

    Quote Originally Posted by u4ria View Post
    You're getting the error message because the BIOS is not detecting a bootable disk on your hard drive. Did you format the drive properly? The "NTLDR is missing" message suggests there are some Windows boot files still on the boot partition. But that's not the real issue. Your problem is your CD Boot sequence. It seems the XP CD is not recognised as a bootable disk by the BIOS or CD Drive. Therefore, during the boot process, it by passes the CDROM boot option and checks for any OS on your hard drive.

    2 things you can test:

    1. Pop another bootable disk in the PC. if it works, then its your XP CD that is faulty.

    2. Take the XP CD and boot it up from another PC/laptop. If it works, then it could be your CD Drive or BIOS.
    Thanks but... if you read my post, you'll see I've tried both those options.

    Is there anything I can do to fix the BIOS?

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by dgfds01 View Post
    Is there anything I can do to fix the BIOS?
    You're at your last leg of practical options

    You can try updating the BIOS (if there is one from the vendor's website and the BIOS patch actually fixes the problem). Given it's an old PC, the chances are pretty slim.

    I said 'practical' because there are other ways to install XP on the PC without using the CD drive. You can image XP on a USB drive and boot it from there (assuming the BIOS can boot from USB sources). Another way is to boot from a network but we're getting into technical stuff here and again it depends on your BIOS supporting this feature.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Linda's Avatar
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    do u think it might be a hardware compatibility problem?

    just because they're both old doesn't mean they're compatible.

    else like u4ria said, image ur xp boot up disc, and try it, else take out another hard drive that you know is still functioning and put it in, if it loads then it could be problems with ur other hardware.

    or maybe ur 'old' computer is really old and is taking its last breath. you should consider a memorial for it. ^_^
    Currently in love with Bae Suzy...for superficial reasons.

  7. #7
    Senior Member dgfds01's Avatar
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    Thanks for the advice guys. Sorry for the delay replying, have been quite busy.

    U4ria, how hard is it to image XP to a USB drive and boot from there? I'm not a complete noob when it comes to computers but I'm no expert either. The computer can boot from external sources (I'm assuming that includes USB).

    I tried getting hold of an external CD drive but no one I know seems to have one.

    Linda, I don't think it's a compatibility issue since the hard drive originally came with the computer. We transferred it to another computer when we upgraded. The CD drive hasn't been moved.

    If nothing else works I'll have to take your advice and come up with a fitting memorial (ie sell of all the parts). A working machine is worth more than the sum of its parts though, that's why I'm a bit reluctant. The thing is approaching 7 years now... it's not too bad: P4 1.8 Ghz, 512MB RDRAM (cost a fortune back then), 40 GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, GPU is a NVidia GeForce 128 MB card (don't remember the model).

    The thing is actually my parents' computer. Since it crashed they've been using an ancient P3 laptop, which while sufficient for their needs, leaves much to be desired. I'm trying to get this fixed so they have another option.

    Otherwise I really should buy them a new one. Except that every time I bring up the subject, they drown me with a flood of protestations - we don't need one, you should keep your money, buy something nice for yourself. Parents! Sigh.

    Anyway, thanks for all the help.

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