I formatted my hard drive in another machine and have it in my
computer. I want to boot from XP and install it to the hard drive.

When I boot, I get the error.......NTLDR missing.

I know the boot disk works because I tried it in another machine.

The machine acts like it doesn't try to read the CD.

I guess the next thing to try is swap CD readers?

Thanks

metspitzer wrote:
> I formatted my hard drive in another machine and have it in my
> computer. I want to boot from XP and install it to the hard drive.
>
> When I boot, I get the error.......NTLDR missing.
>
> I know the boot disk works because I tried it in another machine.
>
> The machine acts like it doesn't try to read the CD.
>
> I guess the next thing to try is swap CD readers?
>
> Thanks

Set the first boot device for CD-ROM or DVD ROM.

"metspitzer" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:39:20 -0800, Harry <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >metspitzer wrote:
> >> I formatted my hard drive in another machine and have it in my
> >> computer. I want to boot from XP and install it to the hard drive.
> >>
> >> When I boot, I get the error.......NTLDR missing.
> >>
> >> I know the boot disk works because I tried it in another machine.
> >>
> >> The machine acts like it doesn't try to read the CD.
> >>
> >> I guess the next thing to try is swap CD readers?
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >
> >Set the first boot device for CD-ROM or DVD ROM.
>
> It is set for CD.
>
> Thanks for the suggestion.
>
> Swapping CD drives didn't help either.


If you are getting a message about ntldr missing, that means that your
computer is trying to boot from a hard drive. If the boot sequence is set
to boot CD first, you still need to hit a key when the system prompts you to
hit any key to boot from CD-Rom.

Otherwise, even with the boot sequence set to CD first, the system will
still try to boot the hard drive, and you'll still get the ntldr
essage. -Dave
>

On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:27:52 -0500, metspitzer <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>I formatted my hard drive in another machine and have it in my
>computer. I want to boot from XP and install it to the hard drive.
>
>When I boot, I get the error.......NTLDR missing.
>
>I know the boot disk works because I tried it in another machine.
>
>The machine acts like it doesn't try to read the CD.
>
>I guess the next thing to try is swap CD readers?
>
>Thanks

I had to unplug the SATA, boot to setup and then plug in the drive.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:38:20 -0500, metspitzer rearranged some electrons
to say:

> On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:32:00 -0500, metspitzer <(E-Mail Removed)>
> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:17:08 -0800 (PST), Eric
>><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>On Jan 15, 6:27Â*pm, metspitzer <kilow...@charter.net> wrote:
>>>> I formatted my hard drive in another machine and have it in my
>>>> computer. Â*I want to boot from XP and install it to the hard drive.
>>>>
>>>> When I boot, I get the error.......NTLDR missing.
>>>>
>>>> I know the boot disk works because I tried it in another machine.
>>>>
>>>> The machine acts like it doesn't try to read the CD.
>>>>
>>>> I guess the next thing to try is swap CD readers?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>Maybe the info on this page will help you find a fix -
>>>
>>>NTLDR is Missing - http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
>>>
>>>Eric
>>>PC Buyer Beware!
>>>http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk
>>
>>Thanks, I searched for the error and the suggestions.
>>
>>Even if my hard drive is not installed properly, I know I have a valid
>>boot CD in my computer.
>>
>>The first boot option in the bios is set to boot to CD.
>>
>>I guess I could unplug my hard drive.
>>
>>If this works, I won't have anywhere to install the OS too, but I can at
>>least be able to tell if the problem in the drive.
>>
>>Thanks
>
> Unplugging the hard drive allowed the computer to boot to CD.
>
> So........now what can I do? I want to install the OS to the drive I
> have to disconnect to allow a boot.

Change the BIOS to remove the hard drive from the booting order.
Then after you're done installing the OS, change it back.