Formatted HD, NTLDR is missing and can't install windows! help!

[ububububub]

Right now whenever I boot to a formatted hd, i get NTLDR is missing errors.

Problem started:
Was using WINXP Pro and was getting lsass.exe errors, and it would go in an automatic boot loop.

I couldn't find a way to format my hd, so i removed the IDE and threw it in another computer and formatted that way.

Now when I replace the hd, it says NTLDR is missing.

My attempts:
I want to reinstall just WINME (OEM that came with the computer), and when I now boot from the startup disk, it gives me a virtual HD. MS-RAM? as my c:

I've tried to do a 'fixboot' in a repair using a windows setup, but while performing a system check it says that my C: (which is evidently my MSRAM virtual c is not NTFS or FAT (i forget) and that i should partition it.

I have NO clue what's going on. I'm not tech savvy, and I just want to be able to reinstall windows and get on with my life!. Help!

[mike_sanfil]

have you tried the fixmbr command yet??

[ububububub]

Originally posted by mike_sanfil
have you tried the fixmbr command yet??

i can't get into the recovery console to even type fixmbr. if i boot up from a diskette, it my c:\ is my MS-RAMDRIVE. So I can't load up the windows recovery bit.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Welcome to TechIMO!!

When you formatted did you go FAT32 or NTFS?

You may want to use the manufacturer's diagnostic utility or killdisk to "zero" out the drive.

Bill

[Smidley]

With XP you can just boot from the installation CD. I don't know if ME is the same, though, because I haven't used it in years. You may want to try it.

[dusty825]

My computer was doing the same thing if I let it boot by itself, when it said boot of cd I hit enter and it would work fine then.
You could also try using the latest contollers for your HD. Then you might get it to reformat.

[LeftCoast]

KILLDISK! KILLDISK! KILLDISK!

[leo259]

as soon as the computer starts try tapping del or f8 or whatever it say to enter bios setup. then on the advanced tab try changing yourboot order so that your cd drive is first. load your win me installation cd and reboot your computer. it should say press any key to boot from cd or somethin like that.
this works with xp, and i think it may work with WINME