NTLDR error message

[Guest]

Hello.
First time here, I have a dell desktop that needed a new hard drive. I
purchased a 200G Maxtor and Vista o/s, I configured the HD with the CD that
came with it but after rebooting the pc to start vista installation I get
the NTLDR is missing message, what do I need to do at this point?

 

[JimR]

Hello.
First time here, I have a dell desktop that needed a new hard drive. I
purchased a 200G Maxtor and Vista o/s, I configured the HD with the CD
that
came with it but after rebooting the pc to start vista installation I get
the NTLDR is missing message, what do I need to do at this point?

Boot to BIOS setup ( usually the delete or F2 key right after power on ),
set the dvd drive to first boot device, then boot from the Vista dvd.

 

[AMD]

Boot to BIOS setup ( usually the delete or F2 key right after power on ),
set the dvd drive to first boot device, then boot from the Vista dvd.

Actually it should be floppy/dvdrw drive/hard drive.

 

[Guest]

Boot to BIOS setup ( usually the delete or F2 key right after power on ),
set the dvd drive to first boot device, then boot from the Vista dvd.

 

[John Barnes]

Why ????????

Actually it should be floppy/dvdrw drive/hard drive.

 

[JimR]

Glad we could help. Enjoy

 

[Don]

Hello.
First time here, I have a dell desktop that needed a new hard drive. I
purchased a 200G Maxtor and Vista o/s, I configured the HD with the CD that
came with it...

I've never understood why a HD need to be configured. I always just
connect the drive and start partitioning/formatting/using it, and so far
everything has 'just worked'. What am I missing?

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

Why ????????

Because that's the traditional default, and defaults are Always Right.

Because otherwise, you'd only be able to accidentally boot malware off
disks in the CD or DVD drive, instead of being able to boot them off
diskette as well. The default assures maximum boot malware access.

On a working PC, I'd boot HD before anything else, and I wouldn't
allow anything else to boot. If I needed to tshoot, I'd first change
boot device order to facilitate this. Anyone too dumb to do that,
would not be welcome to tshoot my PC ("Bozo filter" effect).

-- Risk Management is the clue that asks:

"Why do I keep open buckets of petrol next to all the
ashtrays in the lounge, when I don't even have a car?"

 

[John Barnes]

What century did you come from. Many computers now don't come with floppies
and wasting the time searching for a floppy except when you are installing a
system or doing a BIOS update is wasted boot time. Most modern BIOS's do
not have the default and most allow boot time selection of device when
desired.

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

What century did you come from.
20th.

Many computers now don't come with floppies and wasting the
time searching for a floppy except when you are installing a system
or doing a BIOS update is wasted boot time.

I agree; that's why I disable diskette seek and set HD first in the
boot order - but the main reason is greater safety.

We are seeing a return to "infecting disks", with some malware
infecting USB sticks in particular.

So whereas in the 20th century, you might leave an infected diskette
in the drive and boot yourself into Stoned or One-Half, in the 21st
century you might leave a USB stick plugged in and do much the same.

Most modern BIOS's do not have the default

HD's not usually the default first boot, because that locks newbies
out of booting off anything else.

and most allow boot time selection of device when desired.

Yes, that's another possible setting; it used to be more common on
laptops, and it's not ubiquitous yet. Also, just as the hot keys to
get into BIOS aren't consistent (Del, F2, F1, F10...) so it is with
the keys to bring up the selection menu (F12, F11..)

What's interesting is that the humble bootable diskette image lives
on, as an encapsulated standard within post-diskette boot devices.

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