"NTLDR missing" when installing

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G

Guest

First, this is NOT the problem mentioned in article #320397 (I believe that
was the number). When attempting to install XP from CD, I get an error saying
that NTLDR is missing and to press ctrl-alt-del. As I understand it, this
error is only documented on the support site for when Windows has already
been installed. The hard drive is completely empty - the first 63 sectors are
zeroed out, the MBR is cleaned, I just reformatted it. There is also
definitely an NTLDR in the CD itself. Windows is of course not installed so I
don't understand how I am possibly getting this message! I have tried using
various restore CD's from other XP computers I have but they all give me the
same NTLDR missing message. If anyone can help me get Windows simply
*installed*, it would be greatly appreciated!
 
To do a clean install, boot the Windows XP install CD-Rom. Setup inspects
your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to install the Setup
and driver files. When the Windows XP Professional screen appears, press
ENTER to set up Windows XP Professional.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows XP CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very important (at
setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive controller
detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later you'll be
prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows XP driver for your
drive controller in drive "A")

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows XP Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP2 or at least these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| First, this is NOT the problem mentioned in article #320397 (I believe
that
| was the number). When attempting to install XP from CD, I get an error
saying
| that NTLDR is missing and to press ctrl-alt-del. As I understand it, this
| error is only documented on the support site for when Windows has already
| been installed. The hard drive is completely empty - the first 63 sectors
are
| zeroed out, the MBR is cleaned, I just reformatted it. There is also
| definitely an NTLDR in the CD itself. Windows is of course not installed
so I
| don't understand how I am possibly getting this message! I have tried
using
| various restore CD's from other XP computers I have but they all give me
the
| same NTLDR missing message. If anyone can help me get Windows simply
| *installed*, it would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks for your help. It appears the computer wasn't properly booting from
the CD for whatever reason and I guess it was trying to find XP to load it,
and this was causing the NTLDR message.
 
Glad to hear it's sorted. You're welcome.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Thanks for your help. It appears the computer wasn't properly booting from
| the CD for whatever reason and I guess it was trying to find XP to load
it,
| and this was causing the NTLDR message.
 
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