NTLDR boot problem

[Eric G]

Can't boot my notebook.
Getting "NTLDR is missing."
Can boot to a floppy or CD but that's it.

I've been to the MSFT site and see that this is a documented problem.
But I don't see a quick solution. In my case I can't create a boot
floppy with the NTLDR files because I don't have a Windows XP system
apart from my notebook.

MSFT's site talks about a resolution:
To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to
obtain the Bcupdate2 utility.

How do I get this file, what do I do with it and will it fix my
problem?

I know I should be able to reformat my hard drive, but I'm trying to
avoid that at all costs.

Thanks in advance!

Eric

 

[Willie]

I wouldn't rule out the Hard Drive itself having a problem. Sometimes
reseating the IDE cables at each end helps. Notebooks get jarred around a
lot.

Willie

 

[*Vanguard*]

Eric G said in news:[email protected]:

Can't boot my notebook.
Getting "NTLDR is missing."
Can boot to a floppy or CD but that's it.

I've been to the MSFT site and see that this is a documented problem.
But I don't see a quick solution. In my case I can't create a boot
floppy with the NTLDR files because I don't have a Windows XP system
apart from my notebook.

MSFT's site talks about a resolution:
To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to
obtain the Bcupdate2 utility.

How do I get this file, what do I do with it and will it fix my
problem?

I know I should be able to reformat my hard drive, but I'm trying to
avoid that at all costs.

Thanks in advance!

Eric

Since you have tried booting from a floppy, presumably a floppy was NOT in the floppy drive when you tried booting from the hard drive.

Have you tried booting from the install CD for Windows and running the Repair option (I believe the first Repair presented is for booting into the Recovery Console so you need to progress further into the setup to get to the 2nd Repair option that will let you do an in-place upgrade). See method 2 at:

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315341

However, before doing an in-place upgrade (i.e., reinstall), boot using the install CD, select the first Repair option to get into Recovery Console mode, and run "chkdsk /r" to check your file system and drive.

 

[Eric G]

I wouldn't rule out the Hard Drive itself having a problem. Sometimes
reseating the IDE cables at each end helps. Notebooks get jarred around a
lot.

Willie

Hi Willie,

The HD definitely DOES have a problem.
A couple of weeks ago it started to make some nasty noises all of a
sudden. This lasted for several days. It settled down a bit but it's
probably starting to go (it's only 1.5 years old too !)

The notebook never leaves the home. It's used like a desktop.

Thanks! Eric