NTLDR - MISSING ERROR

[Melzy]

This morning when I went down to my computer I saw the error message
"NTLDR Missing Press CTRL +ALT+ DEL. I did and I got the same
message. Last night my computer was downloading updates from
windows. This morning I get this error.

I tried using my windows CD to boot with and pressed any CD like it
requested, but the same error message comes up.

Any clue on how to fix this error, without reinstalling windows?

Mel

 

[Guest]

If WinXP will not start, it may be due to a damaged boot sector or a missing
or corrupt ntldr or ntdetect.com files. If there is a specific error message
"NTLDR is missing", you need to replace the file. To replace, access the
recovery console and enter:
1. Copy X:\i386\NTLDR C: (X is your CD ROM drive letter)
2. Copy X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:

 

[Guest]

I think your CD is not the first boot device. in BIOS, set cd as first boot
device and then you can boot from cd, you should see "Please press any key
boot from CD" and you should press a key right the way, otherwise, will boot
from HDD, and you will see same problem.

 

[Melzy]

I did go in and specify that the CD is the first boot device. I too
the missing files and copied them to a CD. I'll try booting the
computer with that CD and then copy the files to my computer if I get
it started. Where do they go in windows?

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

I copied these files to the CD and then set up the computer to use the
CD to boot with first and I still get the NTLDR is Missing error. Is
there something I"m missing?

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

I tried to get into the recovery set up but when I do I get this
error: STOP: C0000218

registry file failure. the registry cannot load the hive file /
systemroot/system32/config/security/ or it's log or alternate. It is
corrupt, absent, or not writeable.

So I can not get into the recovery console through my computer.

Melissa

 

[Guest]

Follow this guide http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318728

I had this a while back, you need to boot from CD-ROM and access the
recovery console. You will need your local administrator account password to
access the recovery console. From my experience this guide should do the
trick.

 

[Guest]

Had this the other week on a clients pc, its alittle convaluted but follow
these steps carefully

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/

if all the procedures are correctly followed you should get XP up and
running. My advice for future ref is to take a backup (system restore) before
downloading any updates or upgrading any software/firmware with any 3rd party
drivers.

 

[Melzy]

Where is the recovery console located? I can't get to anything on my
other computer.

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

I have my computer set up so that 1st boot device is the CD rom and it
acts like it's reading it but then I get the same NTLDR error.

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

When I put the windows xp cd rom into my cd drive...I get the message
to boot from the cd rom press any key...when I do, I get the error
message NTLDR Missing.

 

[Guest]

First try to Test the health of your HDD by downloading the Diagnostic tools
from the HDD manufacturer website.
Are you confident enough?, try to open the Case and make sure all
connections secure enough in their sockets/slots (be careful not to fry
anything inside your Case/processor?.
Err Msg: STOP: C0000218 ...Registry Cannot Load the Hive
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/104203

Error Message When You Install Windows XP: "STOP: c0000218 {Registry File
Failure}"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/830084

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/307545?

How to troubleshoot registry corruption issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822705

 

[Melzy]

I did open the case and I checked all the connections to the Hard
drive. They were nice and tight with no problems.

I'm trying to locate on the Hard drive manufacturer's website, my hard
drive to download the utility you mentioned. But I can't find it. My
hard drive is a Samsung SP2504

Are there any other diagnostic hard drive utilities I could use to
check my hard drive with?

Melissa

 

[JohnO]

When I put the windows xp cd rom into my cd drive...I get the message

to boot from the cd rom press any key...when I do, I get the error
message NTLDR Missing.

It's probably NOT booting from the CD, unless the CD itself is bad, too.

http://computrgeek.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/how-to-access-the-recovery-consolexp/

-John O

 

[Elmo]

I did open the case and I checked all the connections to the Hard
drive. They were nice and tight with no problems.

I'm trying to locate on the Hard drive manufacturer's website, my hard
drive to download the utility you mentioned. But I can't find it. My
hard drive is a Samsung SP2504

Are there any other diagnostic hard drive utilities I could use to
check my hard drive with?

Melissa

On their FAQ page, the link for question #9 suggests four or five utilities.

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/faqs/supportFaq.do

 

[Melzy]

I went to the faq's and it didn't list anything. Maybe I"m not seeing
what your seeing.

Another question...to run these programs you at least have to get to a
dos prompt. I can't even get to a dos prompt. The message comes up
right away.

I'm going to try to put the NTLDR fix I found on the internet, and see
if I can get it to start with the USB first and read off my USB drive
those files. That will tell me if my CD rom drive is actually reading
the disk or not.

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

I tried putting the boot disk info onto my USB hard drive and it was
reading from it, but then went to the CD drive and it showed it
accessing it, and then directly went to the NTLDR Missing Error.

Melissa

 

[Melzy]

I did do a SMART short self-test in the bios for the hard drive. It
passed with no errors.

Melissa

 

[Guest]

Hi Melissa,
Please take your time to read the info provided and then try to implement.
If the process is too much for you, you can take the machine to your local
Repair shop and they will sort it for you.
Here is the Diagnostic tool for your Hard drive and some steps (pictures) on
how to Diagnose or use the tools:
HUTIL is made with the aim of testing a Samsung hard disk driv
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/support/utilities/Support_HUTIL.html

Are you able to log into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 until you get the Boot
options and select Safe Mode, does it work, if it did, try System Restore to
an earlier date to get your machine to a working state and we can
troubleshoot from there or you may be don't need!.
Please clean the CD from Dirt or Grease from Finger tips with a soft cloth
not a harsh one!!! then try to Boot up with the CD and Hit "R" when you been
asked to select for Set up or using a Recovery console.

 

[Melzy]

I finally got it to boot from the disk. Once it loaded generic
drivers and files I needed for it to boot, I get this error.

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent
damage to your computer

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart
your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps.

Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly installed hard
drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to make sure
it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdsk /f to check for
hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

Techinical Information:

STOP: 0x0000007B ( 0xf78d2524, 0xc0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

I'm thinking that it may be a difference in operating systems. The
disk I have is for XP pro, and the opperating system that I had on
this computer is Windows XP Media Center Edition. So I'm going to try
installing the drivers for my hard drive when it asks and see if that
fixes the problem.

Melissa