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Not a typical "NTLDR is missing" issue....

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15 replies

by m4rc

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A friend has a Compaq Presario desktop. S.M.A.R.T has indicated that the HDD is damaged and will inevitably fail. I purchased a new HDD and installed WinXP Pro. After the installation, upon turning it on, I receive the error "NTLDR is missing". Considering its a brand new install, this thoroughly confused me. I proceeded to load up the Recover Console and performed both fixmbr and fixboot, with no luck. I know the XP setup disk is good because if I place the HDD in another PC (other than a Compaq), it loads with no problems. Suggestions?

15 replies

by m4rc

It was a brand new HDD and I installed it in the Compaq and then installed Windows.

by m4rc

It was a brand new HDD which I installed in the Compaq and then installed Windows.

by older mycroft

And what is the model of this HDD ?

Also, is this XP Pro install disc a full retail one?

by dhanraj114

Check this link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318728

I also faced this problem but i was having this problem because of booting device selection.

When i selected primary boot device as DVD drive and started booting from my xp cd, it solved.

Hope this may help you.

by m4rc

the CD-ROM drive, but don't press anything when prompted "Press any key to boot from cd...", it freezes at that screen and won't even attempt to load from the HDD.

by riskyone101

Clear and reset Bios, make sure you do not add a password to bios yet until after installation of windows. Once you have completed the bios clear and reset, reinstall windows.

by m4rc

after I attempt to update the BIOS.

by rob miners

if the System is locking up. You may do irreparable damage. Try this first.

Clearing the BIOS settings

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00864922&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3340210#N1447

Check the memory.

You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM. If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

by m4rc

a Compaq Presario SR2170NX, HDD model 160GB Western Digital, and yes, it is a full retail XP setup disc.

by m4rc

I just re-installed Windows. It now boots properly with no issues, so I'm assuming all the hardware is fine. Probably overkill, but at least its working now. Thank you all for all your help and suggestions.

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