Windows XP is actually Windows NT 5.1, so if NTLDR, which is the LoaDeR for
the operating system is missing, you're not going to be able to use your
computer at all. I presume that as your system is a HP desktop, that it is a
home computer. If that's the case you probably got an installer CD with the
computer, which has a 'crippled' copy of Windows XP on it. Assuming that you
have this disc or a full Windows XP disc, you can re-install Windows XP (all
to get back what might be just one file). But you'll have to be careful when
doing this as some of these discs go ahead and format (erase the contents
of) your drive, which means you'll lose all your files! Perhaps visit HP's
site to check if this is the case. Anyway to use such a disc you'd need to
'boot' from it.
1. To do this you need the disc in your first (i.e. the one with the
letter earlier in the alphabet, when in Windows) or only, optical drive (DVD
or CD), when the computer is switched on (or straight after). Before when it
shows "ntldr missing" you need to press a key, to do one of two things. The
easiest way is to get the 'boot menu' up. To do this you need to know which
key to press, such as F8 or F11. If you can already read which it is from
the manual, or when you switch on you may be able to notice it on the
screen, that's great. If a HP logo comes onto the screen when you switch on
and then goes straight to "ntldr missing" you need to press either tab (the
one with arrows pointing both ways, on the left of the keyboard) or Esc (the
Escape key at the top left) when the logo is showing, to be able to read the
text usually hidden by the logo. Hopefully you can do that and skip the next
(even more complicated) option. Once you've got the boot menu showing and an
install CD in the drive, select it in the menu, hit return, and then skip
forward to step 3.
2. If you can't get the boot menu you'll have to get into what's called
the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) which is like a simple version of
Windows without the mouse and is only used to change settings for your
computers hardware. So be *careful*. The BIOS can, but probably won't have a
password on it. If it has your options are further limited. To get into the
BIOS you have to, once again, press the right key for your computer. The
usual ones are Del (the Delete key, above and to the left of the arrow
keys), F1, F2, or escape. If you're in luck you'll be able to read it in the
manual or on the screen (possibly having to press tab or escape again to see
which key). Once in the BIOS you've got to change the order in which the
computer reads from drives. Often "A, C, CDROM" is selected. You need to
change it so that CDROM (or similar) is the first option, and you'll
probably want to change it back after. So make a note of it. Use the arrow
keys to move through the menus and return to select options. Often the
option that you're looking for is in the second or third down on the left
hand side. To change the option when you've found it use the pg up and pg
down (pg = page) keys above and to the right of the arrow keys. Once all
that is done leave the menu you are in using the escape key (don't worry
this won't lose your settings) and then choose "Save and Exit". Now your
computer should load from the installer disc. Be aware that each time your
computer boots-up with a bootable disc in the drive it will try and start
set-up or at least ask you if you'd like it to. This is why you'll want to
change this setting back afterwards, but complete set-up first. When your
computer starts to load from the CD you'll probably be asked if you want to
start set-up and have only a few seconds to "press any key" for it to do
that. If you're computer had to reboot during setup and asks you this again,
*don't select it* as setup will continue automatically after this message
from the CD has passed.
3. When the setup is running, if and when you get to a menu were you can
choose options, always read each option thoroughly, otherwise you might end
up getting rid of all your files. It's best just to select for the current
installation to be fixed. Hopefully after all that's finished, you should
then be able to get into Windows. If that's the case make sure you go to
Windows Update to get all the files just installed up to the latest version.
If you've got any further questions send them in, though personally
I can't run you through the Windows set-up as there are many of these
available already. As the modern mantra goes, just 'Google it'.
Nik
I am running windows XP, Hp. desktop,MSN 9, I shut down last nite,every
thing was working fine, but today when I tried to turn the pc on In the
upper left corner of the black screen Message stated (NTLDR is missing
Press ctrl+Alt+Del to restart, I pressed the above as stated the blue HP
Invent screen came on, but shut down again, then the message again
appeared on the black screen, I have unpluged the pc and waited a while
then pluged back in, but same thing.. If there is someone that can help
me , I thank You
Richard....
