NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart

[fdjc4]

I guess this is the place for this.

Anyway I have a Packard Bell PC that I am supposed ot be fixing as it started producing this error after a failed WMP update "NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart."


I have searched on the net a bit and tried the copy NTDETEC and NTLDR files to C: drive however C: is backup (Recovery Partition) and D: is the OS (WinXP Home)

I am unable to make a floppy boot disk as the PC does not have a Floppy drive, I can boot from CD and start windows installation fine (using my XP CD I mean) but cant run the Packard Bell Recovery program from the HDD.

Currently trying a Boot.ini remedy but at the mo looks bleek, has anyone any suggestions?


Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

[pistachoverde]

well, the question is easy to fix..look:

copy from "C:\WINDOWS\repair\ " the archive NTLDR to "C:\windows\system32\config\" ( no quotes)

windows haves a backup of certian critical archives to prevent this "crashes" in the directory repair..... good luck! ;)

[fdjc4]

Have already tried the copy method.


I think the problem is the boot.ini, the disk is partitioned in 2, first is the Recovery Partition (which I can not get into at all, did work at start but no longer does) and the second is the OS/Data drive.

pistachoverde I dont see how this would help, the NTLDR file is supposed to be on the root of C: it says but I am unsure if thats in all cases or that its supposed to be in the partition wherever the Operating Software lies.

@ Shambles, I have 2 drive letters, D: and E: (took hard drive and stuck in my old desktop to see and backup contents before formatted).

If I try Fixboot should I be using E: (equilivent to the D: drive as original, where OS is located)

[fdjc4]

Both drives are fine in the respect of being formatted, data existed on both (just formatted he OS drive there now)

To be honest as long as this stupif tattoo thing doesnt mess with me im going to format the entire drive, (make a backup of the recovery partition), create 2 partitions, install windows from my cd on 2nd partition and then copy the recovery partition back.

Otherwise (alothugh possible illegal) I may just give them a copy of my XP cd incase of future problems, its OEM and their's is OEM so cd key shouldnt be a problem....right? :confused:

[fdjc4]

They are both OEM XOP Home.

I am unsure about copy of windows thing, its was an idea if their recovery partition (that I have backed up) will not work after I format the drive entirely.


This drive tattooing thing, do you think its going to be an issue at all?

I don't really understand it nor its purpose..

[fdjc4]

I have formatted it and currently downloading drivers

[fdjc4]

Right I have installed everything, AV/FW, Windows Updates etc etc...

Now I have copied back the recovery partition to the backup drive (C:) and am currently trying to get it to load.

Could someone help me with a boot.ini for it?


It currently stands at:

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect



I know for a fact I have another line (and could have sworn I had a backup of the boot.ini as well...) Anyway if someone can help me then I am set with tihs PC and T.I.A.

[fdjc4]

Nah dude one OS, just the boot.ini contained a lil bit for the recovery partition.

PC works fine apart from this so I ended up burning off the old backup OEM on their PC and got it booting so it will do the job.


As far as I am aware I am done with tihs thing!