JUST INSTALL WINXP AND NOW GETTING NTLDR MISSING

[compster]

hi everyone i'm having a problem with my compaq, i just installed a fresh copy of WINXP PROFESSIONAL but when it restarts to finish the install it says "NTLDR missing" i was wondering if anybody could help me out on this? i would really appreciate it.

[PC_Fanatic]

When you power up, the BIOS transfers control to the bootloader code found on sector 0 of the hard drive. This bootloader code then loads the file "NTLDR" from the boot drive. If this file is missing, the machine won't complete the booting process.

Did you install XP to drive C: or another partition on the drive? The NTLDR has to be in the root directory of the boot partition. If you installed XP to a different partition, you'll have to make that partition active, and it has to be bootable.

[jmatt]

http://sft-cyber.com/Re%20Boot.htm
If WinXP will not start, it may be due to a damaged boot sector or a missing or corrupt ntldr or ntdetect.com files. To replace, access the recovery console and enter:
1. Copy X:\i386\NTLDR C: (X is your CD ROM drive letter)
2. Copy X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:

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

Try using the FIXBOOT command from the Windows XP Recovery Console to write a new boot sector on the system partition, and then use the FIXMBR command to repair the master boot record.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...ns_fixboot.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...ons_fixmbr.asp

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NTLDR is missing

http://www.tinyempire.com/shortnotes...dr_missing.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=320397

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBJ/tip4900/rh4983.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;314058

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q315261

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q228004

NTLDR Is Missing" Error Message When You Upgrade or Install Windows XP Over Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

[embj]

You should have a look at some of these threads:

http://www.techimo.com/forum/search....der=descending

BTW, Welcome to TechIMO!

[lukewarmdog]

assuming there is no floppy in the drive (and you removed the CD and the HD is set to boot first)
assuming you don't believe the hard drive has failed
assuming it's not a virus..

have you tried reinstalling just to check it's not a dodgy first install?

I had this happen on a server for no reason. Never had any luck with the recovery console EVER and this was no exception. A reinstall fixed it. Whilst this was 2k Server the underlying technology is the same.
Before you try a reinstall make sure you aren't missing anything obvious then try a reinstall.
If you have overclocked your system try resetting it to accepted levels and reboot.