"NTLDR is Missing" message when Windows Boot up

[Charles.Fabius]

Everything seemed to be working fine until we shutdown & restarted Windows XP
Home edition. My son claims last thing he was doing was exchanging emails
with his friends on MySpace. Ever since we cannot get past this "NTLDR is
missing message". Tried using Windows CD & repairing Windows, then
re-installing Windows(without re-formatting HD), but these measures proved
ineffective. Any helo would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Charles Fabius

 

[M Crespo]

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.

 

[Claymore]

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.






- Show quoted text -

Hello Charles,

This is the "normal" method to correct this error:

[Courtesy of ComputerHope]

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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.

---------------------------------------------------------------

If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.

1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.

 

[David Webb]

First, if your system has a floppy drive, verify that you didn't leave a disk in
the drive. If so, remove it and then restart the system.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

I will check connections, thank you

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Claymore,
I already ran the chkdsk /r and it found some bad sectors. But when I
rebooted it didn't seem to fix the problem. Anyways, I will rule it out from
the series of tasks you outlined. Will keep you posted. Thanks

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.






- Show quoted text -

Hello Charles,

This is the "normal" method to correct this error:

[Courtesy of ComputerHope]

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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.

---------------------------------------------------------------

If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.

1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

No floppy disk, but good thought. thanks

First, if your system has a floppy drive, verify that you didn't leave a disk in
the drive. If so, remove it and then restart the system.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Claymore, it seems that I am at a loss. I ran chkdsk /r once more just to
be thorough. This time it came back with no bad sectors vs the first time
when it repaired bad sectors. Then I ran fixmbr followed by fixboot. When I
restarted computer, it still gives "NTLDR is missing" message. Prior to that,
I did copy the specified files from the XP installation CD with same end
result. I suppose my only recourse at this point is to reformat HD &
reinstall XP from scratch, unless you can think of something else. In any
event, I appreciate all of your help,
Thanks,
Charles

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.






- Show quoted text -

Hello Charles,

This is the "normal" method to correct this error:

[Courtesy of ComputerHope]

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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.

---------------------------------------------------------------

If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.

1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.

 

[needlove]

If you have access to another working computer you can try this:
http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm

 

[needlove]

here is more info pertaining to ntdlr and the files it loads, ntorskrnl.exe
and hal.dll: http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1251081&page=1

 

[Claymore]

Claymore, it seems that I am at a loss. I ran chkdsk /r once more just to
be thorough. This time it came back with no bad sectors vs the first time
when it repaired bad sectors. Then I ran fixmbr followed by fixboot. When I
restarted computer, it still gives "NTLDR is missing" message. Prior to that,
I did copy the specified files from the XP installation CD with same end
result. I suppose my only recourse at this point is to reformat HD &
reinstall XP from scratch, unless you can think of something else. In any
event, I appreciate all of your help,
Thanks,
Charles

Hello Charles,

This is the "normal" method to correct this error:

[Courtesy of ComputerHope]

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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.

If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.

1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's odd. Sure you did the copy correctly? Just to check, at the
recovery console prompt, you could delete the files 'ntldr' and
'ntdetect' by going the the C: prompt (type in cd .. to get there -
the cd <space> followed by two dots). Then type in:
del C:\ntldr <Enter>
del C:\ntdetect <Enter>

Then at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>

Check that the two files don't exist.

Then do the copy again - see above. Make sure you get your CD drive
letter correct (If you're not sure, switch to the next drive letter
and do a 'dir' on the drive letters to find the drive your XP disk is
in).

After the copy, at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>
Check that the files have been copied.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Claymore,
I will keep your notes in a file. I should have been patient enough to allow
you to respond, but unfortunately, I already reformatted HD & installed
Windows XP from scratch. Should I encounter this situatuon again, I will
apply some or all of your suggestions.
Regards,
Charles

Claymore, it seems that I am at a loss. I ran chkdsk /r once more just to
be thorough. This time it came back with no bad sectors vs the first time
when it repaired bad sectors. Then I ran fixmbr followed by fixboot. When I
restarted computer, it still gives "NTLDR is missing" message. Prior to that,
I did copy the specified files from the XP installation CD with same end
result. I suppose my only recourse at this point is to reformat HD &
reinstall XP from scratch, unless you can think of something else. In any
event, I appreciate all of your help,
Thanks,
Charles

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.

Everything seemed to be working fine until we shutdown & restarted Windows
XP
Home edition. My son claims last thing he was doing was exchanging emails
with his friends on MySpace. Ever since we cannot get past this "NTLDR is
missing message". Tried using Windows CD & repairing Windows, then
re-installing Windows(without re-formatting HD), but these measures proved
ineffective. Any helo would be appreciated.

Charles Fabius- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hello Charles,

This is the "normal" method to correct this error:

[Courtesy of ComputerHope]

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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.

If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.

1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's odd. Sure you did the copy correctly? Just to check, at the
recovery console prompt, you could delete the files 'ntldr' and
'ntdetect' by going the the C: prompt (type in cd .. to get there -
the cd <space> followed by two dots). Then type in:
del C:\ntldr <Enter>
del C:\ntdetect <Enter>

Then at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>

Check that the two files don't exist.

Then do the copy again - see above. Make sure you get your CD drive
letter correct (If you're not sure, switch to the next drive letter
and do a 'dir' on the drive letters to find the drive your XP disk is
in).

After the copy, at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>
Check that the files have been copied.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Already had time to reformat HD & reinstall XP, But will keep your notes for
future reference.
Thanks

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Thanks again, will keep as a future reference.

 

[Charles.Fabius]

Connections are good. Thanks anyways

Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.

 

[Claymore]

Claymore,
I will keep your notes in a file. I should have been patient enough to allow
you to respond, but unfortunately, I already reformatted HD & installed
Windows XP from scratch. Should I encounter this situatuon again, I will
apply some or all of your suggestions.
Regards,
Charles

Claymore, it seems that I am at a loss. I ran chkdsk /r once more just to
be thorough. This time it came back with no bad sectors vs the first time
when it repaired bad sectors. Then I ran fixmbr followed by fixboot. When I
restarted computer, it still gives "NTLDR is missing" message. Prior to that,
I did copy the specified files from the XP installation CD with same end
result. I suppose my only recourse at this point is to reformat HD &
reinstall XP from scratch, unless you can think of something else. In any
event, I appreciate all of your help,
Thanks,
Charles
:
Check the power wire and cable to your harddrive, it may be loose. Check
your BIOS, is your harddrive listed? Did the boot order change? Happens on
my PC occasionally.

Everything seemed to be working fine until we shutdown & restarted Windows
XP
Home edition. My son claims last thing he was doing was exchanging emails
with his friends on MySpace. Ever since we cannot get past this "NTLDR is
missing message". Tried using Windows CD & repairing Windows, then
re-installing Windows(without re-formatting HD), but these measures proved
ineffective. Any helo would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Charles Fabius- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Hello Charles,
This is the "normal" method to correct this error:
[Courtesy of ComputerHope]
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 two files indicated below to the root directory of the
primary hard disk. In the example below we are copying these files
from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your
computer.
copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
{There is a space after 'copy' and before 'c:\'}
7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the
CD from the computer and reboot.
---------------------------------------------------------------
If the problem persists, you may have a corrupt boot sector and/or
master boot record.
1. Insert your XP CD and restart your computer.
2. At the Setup screen, press 'R' to access the Repair Console.
3. Select the installation you want to repair. Usually there's only a
single one listed, such as C:\Windows or C:\WINNT. Type in the number
and Enter.
4. On the next screen enter your password (if you have one).
5. On the next screen, at the prompt, type in chkdsk /r {with a space
before the /r parameter} and press Enter. Let it run.
6. At the prompt again, type in "fixmbr" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
7. At the prompt again, type in "fixboot" {without the quotes} and
press Enter.
8. Remove your XP CD and restart the computer.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

That's odd. Sure you did the copy correctly? Just to check, at the
recovery console prompt, you could delete the files 'ntldr' and
'ntdetect' by going the the C: prompt (type in cd .. to get there -
the cd <space> followed by two dots). Then type in:
del C:\ntldr <Enter>
del C:\ntdetect <Enter>

Then at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>

Check that the two files don't exist.

Then do the copy again - see above. Make sure you get your CD drive
letter correct (If you're not sure, switch to the next drive letter
and do a 'dir' on the drive letters to find the drive your XP disk is
in).

After the copy, at the C: prompt, type in:
dir <Enter>
Check that the files have been copied.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks, Charles

Glad you got it fixed. If it's possible, sometimes a re-install is
faster than fighting for days.

Regards