Error message "NTLDR missing"

[Mike]

I have an HP Xt973 that had a bad motherboard. I replaced
it with an MSI mother board. I knew I would have to
perform an XP repair on the OS cause I went from an Intel
chipset to a Via chipset. When I get to the recovery
consol off of my XP cd, it ask for an Admin password.
There was never a password for this. How do I get past
this problem. I searched the Knowledge base and tried
several of the recomendations, but none have worked for
me. HELP!! Thanks!

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Mike

It doesn't sound like you're following the correct procedure for a repair
install (also known as In-place Upgrade). For this procedure you should
bypass the first repair option (which leads to the recovery console)

For details on the procedure you should be following refer to the Knowledge
Base article linked below :

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341

After doing this you may need to re-activate your installation of XP. If it
has been more than 120 days since you last re-activated you should be able
to activate over the internet, otherwise it will require a short phonecall.

After the repair install you will need to re-install any XP service packs
and updates.

The other alternative, which a lot of users (myself included) prefer, is a
clean install of XP. If necessary, you should back up any important files
before embarking on either procedure.

Hope that helps
Pete

 

[mike]

I did read over this, but the problem is XP was pre-
installed from HP. I'm using an XP cd of my own that did
not come with the computer. I can do a completely new
install but windows tells me I'll lose my data, which I'm
trying to avoid. Is that any other way to get into
recovery console, since I don't know what the admin
password is??

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Mike

The password you are being asked for is the one that was set-up when XP was
installed. You could try leaving it blank - just hit return when asked -
that might work.... or ask the retailer where you purchased the system, or
HP.

But, if the XP CD you have is a *retail* copy you have purchased separately,
I don't believe that there will be a serious problem with the repair install
as described in the Knowledge Base article. As far as I'm aware the only
problem that might prevent the correct re-installation of XP occurs when
trying to use an OEM supplied CD for this procedure after replacing the
motherboard, or a similar hardware change - the reverse of what I believe
you are attempting.

In your case, and assuming you are using a *retail* version of the XP CD,
you may experience the following problems, both linked from the 'in-place
upgrade' page. The data loss described is restricted to certain folders and
settings.. not any separately stored files in folders other than the ones
specified.

Data Loss May Occur After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;312368

You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or
Upgrading Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;312369

All of which should be easy enough to live with and re-set. If not you
should still have access to the rest of the files and data on the drive,
enabling you to back-up before going down the full install route.

hope that helps
Pete
-------------------

 

[webfactor]

Usually when NTLDR missing it`s because you don`t have it to boot from were
you installed windows in bios if you leave Installation cd in you can boot
to windows correct that in bios and see..
www.webfactor.dk