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Computer will not even boot with the original Windows XP cd

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by lilacs22

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Yesterday ran in to a problem on one of my computers in my network (only 3 in network). When the computer was turned off and then turned back on, Windows would not load because a file was missing or corrupted. At one point it even stated 2-Config files were missing (it was the Ntldr, and the ntldr.com). I attempted to reboot from the Windows CD after first changing the boot sequence to start with the CD ROM drive. It will not boot at all and I cannot figure out why. I cannot get into the recovery councel or anything due to the computer not booting with even the CD. Please help with any suggestions!

11 replies

by mr.wiz

the computer was working before, check to make sure that you don't have a floppy disk in the drive.

by older mycroft

Now, usually I would hope to be fully aware and loquacious and give a flourishing verbal solution to this problem, but I'm just on my way out the front door.

Can't leave you until the next nice bloke comes along so I suggest the following:

Google the words "ntldr virus" and catch the copious amounts of entries that come bouncing back.

It can be overcome.

Edited for 'speedy' typos!

by lilacs22

Hi Old Mycroft! If it is indeed a virus, do you have any links or suggestions on how to overcome it? I was simply going to download a bootable disk from the Microsoft website and try to at least get into my recovery console that way BUT the standard 1.44mb is not large enough for the file (even though Microsoft says it is). My computer that I was attempting the download on said to try using a high capacity disk, but I do not have a zip drive on my computer. I do not want to lose the programs on this computer to say the least of the data that is irreplaceable. If you, or anyone else has any further suggestions, I would be quite grateful. Thanks

by danke

Give us some errors, bud. We are not telekinetic. When you put the CD-Rom in the drive, and boot the computer, are you getting any errors? Do you hear the cd-rom drive rev up? Is it asking you to "Press a key to boot from cd..."? Is it stopping anywhere? Are you getting a Non-System Disc Error?

We want the whole shi-bang... The more information the better.

by lilacs22

OK here is everything....initially when we tried to turn on the corrupt computer, the Dell screen appeared and then instead of loading Windows, went to a gray screen. I tried rebooting and then went into the setup screen and tried booting in safe mode, It attempts to load but after 6 files it stops cold (the last file to load is the config/system/log. At one point, and I can't remember what I did that caused this error message, it said "ntldr file missing or corrupt" and also listed another file like "ntldr.com" or something like that....I know it ended in .com and it appeared to be some kind of nt loader file also. That screen has never come up again. Anyways, I could not find the original reinstallation setup disk, so I used one from one of the other computers (I did go in bios and changed the boot to the CD drive first).How-ever, the corrupted computer had only service pack 1 and the CD I have been attempting to use has service pack 2. I do not know if this is an issue or not but I don't think it should be. The light for the CD drive does light up and there is 2 beeps but the drive does not sound like it is rotating at all. I then get a message on the screen that says "Strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility". Is that enough info? I hope that helps some.

by danke

There is no problem with booting from a SP2 disk. Doesn't matter what OS you have on your HD, if a CD is bootable it will boot from it.
That error sounds like it's not finding a boot device.
Double check and make sure your BIOS settings are right. Make sure you save them when you exit.
If this isn't working, clear your NVRAM and try all over again. http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&dn=1023538

Let me know what happens.

by lilacs22

I went over my BIOS quite a few times and definately save my changes when exiting. I think the drivers from my CD Rom are not loading for some reason. I am curious as to why clearing my NVRAM will help, would you please explain?

by sam1morgan

I have the exact same problem. I can boot from the windows CD only if I remove the primary hard disk. I can hook up the primary disk in another system as a secondary drive and access it, but I can not boot any system if it is the primary drive even trying to boot from the original windows CD. I believe it has something to do with the when the windows CD goes and checks the boot section of the hard drive. I am still trying to resolve this.

by sam1morgan

I was finally able to get my system back up. There is probably an easier way, but the following worked.

1. I was able to boot with Acronis's TrueImage Rescue CD and did a Backup of my primary disk.

2. I then used zap63 (http://mirror.href.com/thestarman/asm/mbr/zap63.zip) to wipe the first 63 sectors of my disk.

3. I used Acronis Disk Director to restore my partition table. I was still unable to boot from my Windows CD

4. I used Partition Magic 8 boot disk and formated the C: drive. I was now able to boot from the Windows CD.

5. Booted Windows CD and installed Windows.

6. Used Acronis TrueImage to restore the C: partition ONLY from the backup I did in step 1.

7. System rebooted and came up with all my programs/data restored.

by sgt_shultz

do you think it may have been a severely fragmented drive. that will cause the 'no ntldr' error.
thanks for posting your resolution

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