"NTLDR Missing Please Restart" HELP!!!

[Bugblatter]

My PC won't start up. It switches on and says the above. That's as far as I can get every time.

Anyone any idea how I can get hold of the file NTLDR and then how I can boot up my PC? I assume I need some sort of start up disc. I can't use the OEM CD which came with the Pc as all that does is wipe the HD and start all over again. Needless to say I haven't backed up everything on the PC.

Good job I have the iBook!

 

[Steve_Perry]

If you need some sort of emergency boot disk then your best bet is to download a Linux live distribution such as MEPIS or Knoppix. You'll be able to download an ISO file using your iBook and then burn a CD image. This will allow you to gain access to the Harddrive. ntldr is a file that normally resides in the root of the bootable partition it's approx 244KB in size. You maybe able to find a copy of it on the net, or take it off another trusted PC you have access to that is running XP. Strange that you would have it go missing from your OS. Has your PC been hit by a virus?

I know it's a bit late to mention this now but there is a nifty tool called 'BART PE' that allows you to create a cut-down live (i.e. bootable from a CD) version of XP from your legit OS installation. You could then use this live CD on those occasions when disaster strikes.

S.

 

[fuzzer]

we are assuming this is windows xp unless im being blind from the original post.

this error used to come up in NT 4.0 when a non bootable floppy was inserted.

what os you using?

 

[PJH]

How to Troubleshoot the "NTLDR Is Missing" Error Message

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318728#2
Seems to be Win 2000.
Hope that helps.

 

[Steve_Perry]

we are assuming this is windows xp unless im being blind from the original post.

this error used to come up in NT 4.0 when a non bootable floppy was inserted.

what os you using?

Oops, good point, I assumed XP was the OS in question.

S.

 

[Bugblatter]

Thanks for the quick responses. It is Windows XP Home. I have (ahem) a "spare" XP disk, but the system recovery utility requires an administrator password and I don't recall ever setting up a password on the administrator login. (My password isn't accepted).

The Linux suggestion is far too techy for me. I can get a pal to copy NTLDR for me and I will have to work how to get the PC to boot up with a start up disk or something.

 

[Steve_Perry]

Thanks for the quick responses. It is Windows XP Home. I have (ahem) a "spare" XP disk, but the system recovery utility requires an administrator password and I don't recall ever setting up a password on the administrator login. (My password isn't accepted).

The Linux suggestion is far too techy for me. I can get a pal to copy NTLDR for me and I will have to work how to get the PC to boot up with a start up disk or something.

Have you tried logging in as administrator without typing in a password? Just clutching at the obligatory straw

S.

 

[Bugblatter]

Have you tried logging in as administrator without typing in a password? Just clutching at the obligatory straw

S.

Yup! Didn't work!

Sorted now after three hours messing around. I reinstalled Windows XP without formatting the drive. Now have PC up and running without loss of any files, much to daughters' delight.

Thanks to everyone for the help.