WinXP: NTLDR file missing

**Namie** · August 18th, 2003, 03:31 AM

I have recently did a Windows Repair Install for my Windows XP because I got a Fatal System Error blue screen when I turned on my computer, which I got rid of after repairing but one problem still exists which displays "NTLDR file missing, press ctrl+alt+del to restart" and would not bootup unless I have the WinXP CD in the cd-rom drive to search for booting files (It would show the "Press any key to boot from CD" instead of the "NTLDR file missing" and would go to loading Windows) which is why I'm able to type here right now. It would be a pain having to put in the WinXP CD everytime to use the computer so any suggestions? And before you say anything I did search some sites and I did NOT have Windows 95, 98, Me or any old version installed prior to repairing WinXP. I also tried the copying NTDETECT.com and NTLDR file to C: but still with no luck.

I asked my friend to make his folder show hidden files and look for NTLDR and NTDETECT.com in his C:\ folder but he says he doesn't have them... Is it supose to be in some other area and reason why I'm getting this error? I see it on my computer which the ntldr file is 229 KB and the NTDETECT.com file says 47 KB...

**muno** · August 18th, 2003, 03:35 AM

They're supposed to be on root drive

Copy them over from cd, attrib them +r +s +h and try to restart.
If it fails, check that it is trying to access the correct partition from boot.ini (which is also on the root drive).
-M

**Namie** · August 18th, 2003, 03:39 AM

Hey! Thanks for replying back so quickly... I guess I should of posted this problem on this "Applications & Operating Systems" section instead of the "Technical Support" since I basically recieved no help there...

Anyways, sorry, I didn't quite understood what you meant by "attrib them +r +s +h", I can manually copy it from the CD since I'm in my computer right now..

Also the boot.ini is in the root directory and says..

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

does that look okay?

**muno** · August 18th, 2003, 05:43 AM

I suppose this is the same thread ->
WinXP: NTLDR file missing on bootup

If you feel that your thread is in the wrong forum, ask a moderator to move it instead of starting a new thread.
Or, you can always bump your own thread after 24hours.
Assuming the 's' is on the same row as the 'window'

Attrib is a dos command used to change file attributes.
Copy the files, start command prompt (start->run->cmd), verify that the working dir is c:\ and type 'attrib +r +s +h ntldr' and 'attrib +r +s +h ntdetect.com'
-M
boot.ini looks correct.