was given a Toshbia Satellia laptop, it has no operating system it was wiped clean when I got it. When I try to install one. The computer says it is missing the NTLDR and to press ctl alt & del. I can get into the bios. I have tryed to install windows but it starts installation and then shuts down.
It will restart, but sometimes it shuts down. How can I diaignos this problem?
I have another laptop so I am able to download what ever I need.
Can someone tell me what I need to do to correct this problem.
Or is the laptop salvagable? If not I will sell it for parts. I am not an IT tech but have some knowledge about computers. need help?
Thanks
Cathy
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Question
0
Votes
NTLDR missing no operating system
9th Nov 2011
Answers (11)
1
Vote
Start off with the Ultimate Boot CD available free here
http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html
And do some Diagnostics pay particular attention to the RAM.
Now what OS are you trying to install and what type of HDD is fitted to this unit?
If it's a SATA Drive and you are attempting to install XP you may need to make a Slipstreamed Image and include the SATA Driver as XP doesn't natively support SATA Drives.
Also if there is more than 1 RAM Module you may need to remove all but 1 RAM Module to install the OS and then when it's Installed refit any extra RAM. Timing Issues between different RAM Modules can play Havoc with Windows Installations.
Col
And do some Diagnostics pay particular attention to the RAM.
Now what OS are you trying to install and what type of HDD is fitted to this unit?
If it's a SATA Drive and you are attempting to install XP you may need to make a Slipstreamed Image and include the SATA Driver as XP doesn't natively support SATA Drives.
Also if there is more than 1 RAM Module you may need to remove all but 1 RAM Module to install the OS and then when it's Installed refit any extra RAM. Timing Issues between different RAM Modules can play Havoc with Windows Installations.
Col
Updated - 9th Nov 2011
Replies
Col
I checked the cd is does work on my other laptop. the OS is Windows XP PRO until I could get it up and running to see if it can be upgraded. Ram is 512 MB DDR and only 1 chip is available. HDD 80 GB, Enhanced IDE. Don't know how to find out about the SATA Drive.But Thanks for the link will try it.
Cathy
I checked the cd is does work on my other laptop. the OS is Windows XP PRO until I could get it up and running to see if it can be upgraded. Ram is 512 MB DDR and only 1 chip is available. HDD 80 GB, Enhanced IDE. Don't know how to find out about the SATA Drive.But Thanks for the link will try it.
Cathy
cw_creativetouch@...
10th Nov 2011
I have tryed several boot programs, can't get into the ram.
I have no Os on the laptop yet. tyr to install in won't recognize the OS
Tryed reboot from Cd, still not chance it still gives me
NTLDR missing pess ctrl alt del to restart
I have no Os on the laptop yet. tyr to install in won't recognize the OS
Tryed reboot from Cd, still not chance it still gives me
NTLDR missing pess ctrl alt del to restart
cw_creativetouch@...
17th Nov 2011
OK if you have a IDE Drive that isn't the issue.
However the Install Media you are attempting to use what is it? Is it a Recovery Disc from another Maker or a M$ branded Install Disc.
If it's a Recovery Disc it was made for different hardware and will not work with this system, this is a very common thing to happen as the system makers cripple their Recovery Disc's to only work with their hardware.
Col
However the Install Media you are attempting to use what is it? Is it a Recovery Disc from another Maker or a M$ branded Install Disc.
If it's a Recovery Disc it was made for different hardware and will not work with this system, this is a very common thing to happen as the system makers cripple their Recovery Disc's to only work with their hardware.
Col
OH Smeg
19th Nov 2011
1
Vote
boot order
When youre attempting to do a fresh install, is the cd boot priority?
or are you hitting f9 for boot list then selecting the proper boot device.
because generally laptops have the hard drive as the primary boot and optical as the secondary.
ALSO, is the optical drive compatible with the O/S boot disk? (cd drive wont run dvd) assuming that youre probably not using the original boot disk. (what O/S btw)
corrupted boot disk
these are just a few ideas off the top of my head
or are you hitting f9 for boot list then selecting the proper boot device.
because generally laptops have the hard drive as the primary boot and optical as the secondary.
ALSO, is the optical drive compatible with the O/S boot disk? (cd drive wont run dvd) assuming that youre probably not using the original boot disk. (what O/S btw)
corrupted boot disk
these are just a few ideas off the top of my head
9th Nov 2011
Replies
Thanks for the info. as far as I know the OS has been deleted i have been trying to install Windows XP Pro that is what the comoputer came with to see if it can be upgraded. However I was able to get inot the bios and made sure it was bootable to the hard drive. had try the cd first but didn't work. The OS cd I have does work on my other laptop. No not hitting f9, No I don't have the originial disk.
cw_creativetouch@...
10th Nov 2011
0
Votes
agree with all the above and..
you state it starts the install then reboots, it does sound like it may be blue screening on the install or may have an overheat problem, (does the laptop feel overly hot when it reboots?)
for a good test, not only should run diags from ubcd (or ubcd4win) per Oh smeg, but you may want to try booting from a linux live CD (ie knoppix, ubuntu, ultimate edition 3 lite (this one works well on older hardware),, or any flavor of linux)
see if that cd boots and runs ok. then we know theres no overheat problem and probably needs a driver as also stated in a prior post.
let us know how it goes.
for a good test, not only should run diags from ubcd (or ubcd4win) per Oh smeg, but you may want to try booting from a linux live CD (ie knoppix, ubuntu, ultimate edition 3 lite (this one works well on older hardware),, or any flavor of linux)
see if that cd boots and runs ok. then we know theres no overheat problem and probably needs a driver as also stated in a prior post.
let us know how it goes.
10th Nov 2011
1
Vote
The Install Disc you are using is a M$ Branded Install Disc
And not a System Makers Recovery Disc is it?
if it's a System Makers Recovery Disc it doesn't have all of the default Drivers and so on necessary to be used successfully with other Hardware and will give you the error message that you are getting.
You may want to try using nLite to make a Slipstreamed Install Disc with the necessary Drivers but I'm not sure how well that would work as I've never tried doing it.
http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
And the directions for use are listed under Guides here
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/
Col
if it's a System Makers Recovery Disc it doesn't have all of the default Drivers and so on necessary to be used successfully with other Hardware and will give you the error message that you are getting.
You may want to try using nLite to make a Slipstreamed Install Disc with the necessary Drivers but I'm not sure how well that would work as I've never tried doing it.
http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
And the directions for use are listed under Guides here
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/
Col
Updated - 10th Nov 2011
0
Votes
NTLdr mising
When you use the installer media don't just try to install into the existing partition. First delete any partition information already on the disk, then create a new partition with slightly different parameters from the original partition. Format, then install the OS.
Failing this, the Ultimate Boot CD mentioned above has tools to allow you to fix the boot loader. This CD can also be configured to boot off of USB flash drive provided your BIOS allows you to boot off alternate USB disk media.
Failing this, the Ultimate Boot CD mentioned above has tools to allow you to fix the boot loader. This CD can also be configured to boot off of USB flash drive provided your BIOS allows you to boot off alternate USB disk media.
10th Nov 2011
Replies
can't partition it still has only get
NTLDR missing Press Ctrl, + Alt+ Del to restart
tryed several boot programs nothing works yet
NTLDR missing Press Ctrl, + Alt+ Del to restart
tryed several boot programs nothing works yet
cw_creativetouch@...
17th Nov 2011
0
Votes
NTLDR Missing
You get an error during installation attempts of XP-Pro?
Can you tell me exactly where in the process you get the error or stop failure @?
Also before anything else I would suggest you try using Partition Wizard 5 which is a Linux Distro to reformat the entire HDD 2 or 3 times and then create a Primary Partition with the amount of MB's you want for your OS. Here is where you get that tool @ -->
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
It's called UNetbootin and it is pretty simple to use to make bootable USB drives to run Linux distros off of. Reformat the HDD and create an NTFS partition in the Linux OS then try again.
Since the installation CD works on the other Laptop I think that the HDD on the original laptop is almost certainly the problem and I just recently had a problem similar to yours, but Partition Wizard helped me out in that case and I bet it will fix your problem too.
Can you tell me exactly where in the process you get the error or stop failure @?
Also before anything else I would suggest you try using Partition Wizard 5 which is a Linux Distro to reformat the entire HDD 2 or 3 times and then create a Primary Partition with the amount of MB's you want for your OS. Here is where you get that tool @ -->
http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
It's called UNetbootin and it is pretty simple to use to make bootable USB drives to run Linux distros off of. Reformat the HDD and create an NTFS partition in the Linux OS then try again.
Since the installation CD works on the other Laptop I think that the HDD on the original laptop is almost certainly the problem and I just recently had a problem similar to yours, but Partition Wizard helped me out in that case and I bet it will fix your problem too.
Updated - 11th Nov 2011
Replies
tryed it, it won't work - still only get NTLDR missing Press Ctrl, + Alt+ Del to restart
cw_creativetouch@...
17th Nov 2011
0
Votes
DBAN
Download Darik's Boot and Nuke, burn it, then boot to it and once it comes up type in autonuke.
That will completely wipe the drive, then try doing the XP install again or try a Linux distro
That will completely wipe the drive, then try doing the XP install again or try a Linux distro
17th Nov 2011
0
Votes
Reformat or replace HDD
My attitude from an IT perspective is this..if it takes you longer than an hour...that is one hour..not pulling your hair out replacing file after file for 3 hours...to fix a problem, then
reformat the drive, and THEN re-install the O/S. If you are ghosting a "STD LOAD" and it happens on two or more units..trash the ghost and build another one at home when the pressure is off and you wont forget anything like an adobe reader or an I/E patch or service pack.
Last resort? Break out the tools. You gotta replace the drive. BTW...the client should be backing up DAILY on a thumb drive or a shared back-end common drive. The last thing you need is an overbearing pissed-off project manager breathing down your neck while you are in his office trying to look professorial and fix his machine.
reformat the drive, and THEN re-install the O/S. If you are ghosting a "STD LOAD" and it happens on two or more units..trash the ghost and build another one at home when the pressure is off and you wont forget anything like an adobe reader or an I/E patch or service pack.
Last resort? Break out the tools. You gotta replace the drive. BTW...the client should be backing up DAILY on a thumb drive or a shared back-end common drive. The last thing you need is an overbearing pissed-off project manager breathing down your neck while you are in his office trying to look professorial and fix his machine.
18th Nov 2011
0
Votes
Reformat or Replace HDD
It appears you are trying to do a clean install. If so:
Determine the maker of the hard drive ( Seagate, Western Digital, etc ). Go to the manufacturer's site and download their hard disk diagnostic software. Follow instructions to create a cd/dvd then take it to the laptop and boot to it to run tests. If the drive has no significant issues, use the Diag Tool to low-level format the drive.
When done, you will have a factory-initialized hard drive. Retry the clean install. If it still fails, try it again with another - different - Windows install DVD. If it fails yet again, start looking at RAM timing issues. You can then locate and download numerous utilities to test the RAM.
Determine the maker of the hard drive ( Seagate, Western Digital, etc ). Go to the manufacturer's site and download their hard disk diagnostic software. Follow instructions to create a cd/dvd then take it to the laptop and boot to it to run tests. If the drive has no significant issues, use the Diag Tool to low-level format the drive.
When done, you will have a factory-initialized hard drive. Retry the clean install. If it still fails, try it again with another - different - Windows install DVD. If it fails yet again, start looking at RAM timing issues. You can then locate and download numerous utilities to test the RAM.
18th Nov 2011
0
Votes
Could this happen because...
I was cleaning up a laptop HDD partition with The Eraser (courtesy: SourceForge). With the HDD in a USB enclosure (plugged into the tower) I did a QuickFormat then set The Eraser to overwrite the blank space. I put the HDD back in the laptop expecting to use the recovery partition... but "NTLDR missing..." Does this mean the drive root got "erased" too?
18th Nov 2011
0
Votes
NTDLR Missing
Use the working computer to search the internet for "NTDLR Missing" and you will find several answers--
for XP one of the solutions is:
Windows XP users
1.Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
2.When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
3.Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
4.Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
5.You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
6.Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.
copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
7.Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.
from the site: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
for XP one of the solutions is:
Windows XP users
1.Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
2.When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
3.Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
4.Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
5.You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
6.Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.
copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
7.Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.
from the site: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
Updated - 18th Nov 2011
