missing ntldr file - help xp home edition

hstorer721 · August 14th, 2003, 11:31 AM

I have a missing NTLDR file error message, and cannot boot up at all. I read a thread with a fix using the xp proff os cd. Will this cd work with xp home edition if I insert it in place of the xp home edition cd? My system did not come with an xp professional os cd, i have a restore cd that came with my emachine...what can i do to fix this ...i don't want to reformat if i dont have to, any ideas? thanks very much!

Namie · August 14th, 2003, 01:55 PM

I'm having the same NTLDR file error message also...
I searched the net and they seem to not help at all. Maybe because it's different, they're saying "NTLDR file missing, press any key to restart" but my error says "NTLDR file missing, press ctrl + alt + del to restart". I dunno but I need to get this fix also...

zskillz · August 14th, 2003, 02:50 PM

don't quote me on this, but I am getting the same error, I believe that the boot sector of your drive may have been corrupted. I'm not sure how to fix this yet, but I'm working on it

-Z

Namie · August 14th, 2003, 03:39 PM

I've tried "fixboot" in Recovery Console but did not fix the error...

hstorer721 · August 16th, 2003, 08:59 AM

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310994

here is the link I found at the microsoft website which I am going to try today. it gives you the download for the boot disk. I am not technical so I hope I can figure this out...you may want to try it, I saw an earlier post with the same problem and same remedy...i guess its better than reformatting so I am going to try it. Do you know what caused your problem..I think I do and I am pretty mad about it. I was loading some software for the new sony digital camera that came with it for editing pictures and it said that it needed to change the winsaspi file. then it said that some computerers may need this file, but did not indicate you would not be able to start your computer back up if yours did! I have gone to the sony and pixelar website and there is no mention of this problem! I am really mad, and not sure what to do next. All I did was follow there instructions which did not say to make a back up of the file. Since I am not technical I wouldn't have realized there message meant make a backup, I don't even know where this file is located or what it is used for. ok enough ranting I'll let you know how I do if you're interested, let me know if you do the same.

Namie · August 17th, 2003, 12:13 AM

Well I can get in my computer if I just bootup with the WinXP CD (it would say "Press any key to boot from cd..." and I just don't press anything and it would be able to get to the Windows login screen) but if I restart the computer without the WinXP CD in then I would see the NTLDR file missing error....

Does WinXP have scan disk or whatever that checks for errors?

Nobby · June 7th, 2004, 09:49 AM

I have read all the posts in regard to the problem of the file "NTLDR" not allowing a XP system boot properly and as far as I can tell Win 2K as well .This seems to be just a case of the file being "for some reason?" corrupted or deleted? maybe by virus software or as in my case being a bit over eager to remove entries that a spy checker app told me were not needed which I realize NOW was wrong "Big Time!!"a good lesson learned though !!...
Most of the help said to copy the "ntldr" file from th XP Cdrom but on doing a search .came up blank? perhaps it has to be unpacked?.
So to this moment I have downloaded the Floppy disc maker to boot XP from as my CD wil not boot either"No ntldr" and even though the BIOS is set correctly and The drive's are jumped and cabled correctly.
Also.I have tried using the Ntldr file from my Windows 2000 install cd but that just goes to the consol and gives an option of Fixing either.?
C:\winnt or
D:\Windows "as I have Both installed along with Linux" .
an option to "Fixboot" is given along with some other options but this did no good either.?..
So I will try the boot Floppys and try to recover my very stable and hard earned installation of XP Pro and will Post any further info I deduce unless my whole system gets corrupted and then will take a while too come back up..
Hope this saves someone some time!!...

Nobby · June 7th, 2004, 09:52 AM

Heres the link for the Boot Floppies to boot XP Pro "i'm not sure if XP Home is the same as I think it was a different link OK...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...2-631504EF5E26