NTLDR is compressed

Videoguy · November 5th, 2002, 07:51 PM

OS: Windows XP

After running the defrag, this message came up.

NTLDR is compressed.
Please hit CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.

Did it and get the same message.

Any thoughts?

eweruk · November 5th, 2002, 07:55 PM

Welcome to TechIMO!! That is probably not a good thing, I have never seen that before. Lets see what others say.

So far I found:

This is a core file which must be in the root directory, and that fact that it cannot find it may mean other files are also missing, however to fix this problem perform the following:

Boot the system with a DOS bootable floppy disk (if it is a FAT partition). If it is a NTFS partition use the NT boot disk shown in the above step
In the i386 directory of the CD-ROM there will be a file NTLDR._, which is the compressed version of NTLDR
You can expand this file using expand.exe that comes with DOS and Windows for Workgroups
expand d:\i386\ntldr._ c:\ntldr.

Videoguy · November 5th, 2002, 07:58 PM

It's a HP. No recovery CD was included when we bought it, though one can do a non-destructive recovery from the hard drive. But even that doesn't work.

And guess what? I don't have a bootable floppy. Pretty dumb of me, huh?

eweruk · November 5th, 2002, 08:04 PM

If you replace NTLDR with a compressed copy then Win2K will not boot. Ever. Not even to Safe Mode. The only way to recover is to boot from the CD and use the Recovery Console to return to the unmodified NTLDR. So get your hands on a W2K CD. Hopefully others have a better solution.

Videoguy · November 5th, 2002, 08:07 PM

But I have XP not 2K. Does that make a difference?

mkitty · December 31st, 2002, 05:46 PM

I have the same problem, but I know that I had compressed NTLDR, is there a possible way to decompress it without actually entering windows? I need to fix this problem quickly...

mpc · January 1st, 2003, 04:41 PM

Use the Windows XP setup floppies found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q310994

Boot to the "Recovery Console" and run FIXBOOT.

mkitty · January 2nd, 2003, 06:45 PM

I don't have a floppy drive... is there another possible way?

mpc · January 2nd, 2003, 07:45 PM

Then you're going to have to get a hold of someone elses Windows XP cd and boot to it. And while you're at it.....install the Recovery Console on your system (after you've fixed it) so that you'll have it for future use in case you need it again.

thinking · July 24th, 2003, 11:56 PM

Thanks for all the advice. My computer had this problem,and because of these postings I've managed to get it going again. I just wanted to say thanks.