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Missing ntldr

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by hop228a

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I have an intermitting problem with my desktop computer,and its driving me insane.

When I boot up after showing the POST and PCI listing,I get the error message:

Missing NTLDR.

21 replies

by hop228a

Thanks for the link.

Tried all the instructions, yet to no joy, still getting the error message.

I'm starting to wonder if this is a hardware issue with the HDD?

by dmiles

Method 1: Use a Boot Disk to Start the Computer

Create a Windows 2000 boot disk that contains the following files:
Ntldr
Ntdetect.com
Boot.ini
Ntbootdd.sys

301680 HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows

101668 How to Use a Windows Boot Disk to Prevent Boot Failure
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
311578 HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows 2000

Insert the boot disk into the computer's floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.
Copy the Ntldr file, the Ntdetect.com file, and the Boot.ini file from the boot disk to the system partition of the local hard disk.
back to the top
Method 2: Use the Recovery Console
Use the Windows 2000 Setup disks to restart the computer, or use the Windows 2000 CD-ROM to restart the computer.
At the Welcome to Setup screen, press R to repair the Windows 2000 installation.
Press C to repair the Windows 2000 installation by using the Recovery Console.
Type the number that corresponds to the Windows installation that you want to repair, and then press ENTER. For example, type 1, and then press ENTER. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
229716 Description of the Windows Recovery Console

Type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.
Type map, and then press ENTER. Note the drive letter that is assigned to the CD-ROM drive that contains the Windows 2000 CD-ROM.
Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after you type each one, where drive is the drive letter that you typed in step 4 of "Method 2: Use the Recovery Console," of this article:
copy drive:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy drive:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

If you are prompted to overwrite the file, type y, and then press ENTER.

For reference see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article
318728

by hop228a

Thanks for the instructions.

I tried them already.Those are similar/exact instructions from the link joematus has provided, but still no fix.

by sueboring

You may need to re-install your operating system, when i have had that message it is because essential files have been lost or damaged in the operating system. An operating system repair may solve this. good luck.

by hop228a

Yes,just completed reinstall since my last post.This is the 3rd time now that I have reinstall from the same problem.

What are the chances of this problem caused by a faulty HDD?

by jkaras

I always thought you got that error by leaving a non bootable floppy in the floppy drive.

by sueboring

Have you tried using norton systemworks to check the hard disk for problems, if it is a hard drive problem it should show up on there, or scan disk and defragment the hard drive, the other option is to get a new hard disk and use your old one as a slave drive.

by hop228a

Yeah I ran defrag/scandisk/dos scandisk and the DFT from western digital,all reported okay.

by sueboring

The only other thing i can think of and i dont know if it could be is a virus on the motherboard. have you tried putting another hard drive in to see if it does the same thing?

by hop228a

I did have a spare HDD for the pass 5 years or so, right uptill last month when I gave it away,it was just sitting around collecting dust. Typical, just when you need something.

by berserkk

>Comment from hop228a@hotmail.com on 03/17/04:
>I thought you get the "Non-system disk ....." >message.

Windows NT/2000 give the error message "Missing NTLDR" when no boot media is detected (i.e. non-bootable cd-rom / floppy )

In the bios is the hard disk detected as primary master? try setting the boot sequence to :
1. hdd (c:\) first
2. cd-rom
3. floppy

by hop228a

It would have helped had I mentioned at the start, that I am running XP PRO.

Its an intermitting problem.

by 1stladytech

Even though the hdd passes diags, I would still try another hdd. If the drive is intermittently not spinning up fast enough for the mb to detect it at post, you will get this error. One way to check this before purchasing a new drive is when you get the error, you should still be able to see the bios post on the top half of your screen. Towards the bottom of that screen, you usually get a list of IDE devices, does your drive show? If it is not id-ing to the mb, it will not be in the list. Good luck

Vickie

by hop228a

Sadly I haven't got any spare HDD to test.

Looking at the post,the HDD is listed.

by detek

Did you use any hard drive utility, like ghost, to transfer your data into a larger hard drive before upgrading your operating system to XPpro?

by hop228a

Sorry bit confused.

Not sure where you got the ideal of me having said anything about transfering data from a small drive to a larger and about upgrading XP PRO?

Anyways, going back to you question. The only HDD utility I've used is the DFT and as mentioned,I haven't transfer any data nor upgraded to XP PRO.

Thanks for your time.

by cliffl

Have you recently changed something ? put in another hard drive with a different operating system.
NTLDR is a Read only/Hidden/System file that the system uses to start up, so if it cant find it you wont start.
When you do get it to start do a thorough check of your hard drive in case it is about to fall over !!
Back up all your data. Make sure all cables etc are connected properly. Take them out and reinsert.

by hop228a

The only device/hardware I've changed reasonly is upgrading the graphics card.I have done no upgrade on HDD.Having research on this NTLDR,yes it does mention about the file being something relating to start up,but what I can't understand is why it imtermitting boots,unless yes that file is currupted.Yes,as mentioned already,when I am able to boot up,I have ran HDD DFT,scandisk,defrag and no faults found.Reseated all data/power cables and still nothing.

Well,since my first posting,I have restall XP PRO and so far (touch wood) its still running ok.

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