NTLDR is Missing

[Guest]

Windows update just downloaded some files and rebooted my machine, after
which, it said Drive 0 not found, I ran a diagnostic and Drive 0 (my C:
drive/boot drive passed), then came up w/ NTLDR is missing - after many
attempts and a cold boot, I was able to get back in. In researching a
solution to this, I keep coming to a system recovery disk is a good idea -
only problem is, my machine doesn't have a floppy drive. Is there an
equivalent in the CD world? Any suggestions on that or how to get rid of this
NTLDR problem?

Thanks,
Dawn

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Windows update just downloaded some files and rebooted my machine, after
which, it said Drive 0 not found, I ran a diagnostic and Drive 0 (my C:
drive/boot drive passed), then came up w/ NTLDR is missing - after many
attempts and a cold boot, I was able to get back in. In researching a
solution to this, I keep coming to a system recovery disk is a good idea -
only problem is, my machine doesn't have a floppy drive. Is there an
equivalent in the CD world? Any suggestions on that or how to get rid of this
NTLDR problem?

Thanks,
Dawn

If you were able to get back in again then ntldr is obviously not
missing. You may have a hard disk problem which co-incided with
an update installation. I suggest you do this:
- Back up all your important files to an independent medium.
I'm sure you're doing this already - aren't you?
- Run this command from a Command Prompt:
chkdsk c: /f /r
- Reboot the machine.

About system recovery: Many PC manufacturers supply a factory
restore CD. Those who don't give you a WinXP CD that you can
use to boot your system into the Recovery Console.

 

[Guest]

Yes, I did backup my files first thing.

I will do the checkdisk, but when I couldn't get it to boot, I went into
setup and did a disk check there and it passed. And since I'm in Windows now
and my data is all there, do you still think it's the drive?

I'm afraid to reboot, what if I can't get past the NTLDR is missing error
again. Specifically, I got Drive 0 is not found hit F1 to continue F2 to
enter setup. I tried both, then it would pop up with the NTLDR error. I cold
booted and it booted fine after that.

I do have a Windows XP disk, but I'm not sure how to boot off of it. Before,
when I couldn't get it to boot, I put it in, did the system recovery and it
asked for a disk which I don't have. What's the process for using the Win XP
CD to boot?

Thanks,
Dawn

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

In view of your limited experience I recommend that
you ask a friend for assistance of take the machine to
a PC repair shop.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

See if they have a WinXP boot CD at www.bootdisk.com. If they
don't then you have to make one yourself on a PC that has a CD
burner and a floppy disk drive. Alternatively you can buy a floppy
disk drive for your PC - they cost very little!

Here is how you can make a WinXP boot diskette:
- Format a diskette on a WinXP/2000 PC.
- Copy these hidden files to it:
c:\ntldr
c:\ntdetect.com
c:\boot.ini
- Burn a boot CD that is based on this boot diskette. Make
sure to select the "Boot CD" option in your burner program.

 

[Dan Poorman]

I've had this problem multiple times in the last couple of months and
it's really getting frustrating.
Fortunately, I have DriveImage backups which has helped.

HOWEVER, today I may have discovered the REAL cause of this error.

First, I've got two IDE data drives in my system along with an SATA
boot c: drive.
What I discovered was that the BIOS had changed today pointing to HD0
as the boot drive. That was the master on IDE channel 1 NOT my
bootable SATA drive. So naturally, the boot information was not
available.

Changing to the SATA drive as it should be, I am back in business.

Needless to say, the next time this happens, I'll check BIOS first to
see if that has somehow changed.

Dan

 

[Malke]

I've had this problem multiple times in the last couple of months and
it's really getting frustrating.
Fortunately, I have DriveImage backups which has helped.

HOWEVER, today I may have discovered the REAL cause of this error.

First, I've got two IDE data drives in my system along with an SATA
boot c: drive.
What I discovered was that the BIOS had changed today pointing to HD0
as the boot drive. That was the master on IDE channel 1 NOT my
bootable SATA drive. So naturally, the boot information was not
available.

Changing to the SATA drive as it should be, I am back in business.

Needless to say, the next time this happens, I'll check BIOS first to
see if that has somehow changed.

Usually BIOS settings don't change all by themselves. Perhaps your
motherboard battery needs to be replaced. It can't hurt to do this and it's
not expensive.

Malke

 

[milescomer]

Glad to hear that you eventually got it corrected with a BIOS setting,
if anyone else needs a floppy, cd, or usb solution, might I humbly
suggest:
http://ntldrismissing.com/
It's free