NTLDR missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

[PYOR66]

I have tried copying new versions of files NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM from my
Windows disk to the C:\ drive. However, when I restart windows I still get
the same message. I can start Windows by placing the CD in the drive
directing boot from CDROM in Setup but not pressing a key when requested
during boot up. Windows then boots normally and works without a problem.
Windows Exploere shows the presence of both files in the C: directory.

How can I get the system to boot up normally? Any thoughts/advice?

Many thanks.

 

[Daave]

I have tried copying new versions of files NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM
from my Windows disk to the C:\ drive. However, when I restart
windows I still get the same message. I can start Windows by placing
the CD in the drive directing boot from CDROM in Setup but not
pressing a key when requested during boot up. Windows then boots
normally and works without a problem. Windows Exploere shows the
presence of both files in the C: directory.

How can I get the system to boot up normally? Any thoughts/advice?

According to http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm there are
as many as nine causes of this issue:

1. Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.

2. Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS.

3. Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file.

4. Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file.

5. Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is
using FAT32.

6. New hard disk drive being added.

7. Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.

8. Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

9. Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable.

Solutions are included on that page as well.

(My guess is the problem is 3, 7, or 8.)

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have tried copying new versions of files NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM from my
Windows disk to the C:\ drive. However, when I restart windows I still get
the same message. I can start Windows by placing the CD in the drive
directing boot from CDROM in Setup but not pressing a key when requested
during boot up. Windows then boots normally and works without a problem.
Windows Exploere shows the presence of both files in the C: directory.

How can I get the system to boot up normally? Any thoughts/advice?

Many thanks.

What is the recent history of this machine? It must have worked at
some stage - what happend then?

 

[Mick Murphy]

You also need the boot.ini file with those other 2, NTLDR and NTDETECT
That is how you make a Boot disk for XP.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You also need the boot.ini file with those other 2, NTLDR and NTDETECT
That is how you make a Boot disk for XP.

ntldr gets invoked first, then it processes boot.ini. The OP
must therefore resolve the ntldr issue first, before looking
at potential issues with boot.ini.

 

[db.·.. >]

you might try to boot
with the windows cd
and log into the recovery
console.

at the disk prompt you
can run these commands:

chkdsk
fixmbr
fixboot
bootcfg /rebuild
exit

then try to boot again
in the normal fashion.

 

[Andy]

I have tried copying new versions of files NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM from my
Windows disk to the C:\ drive. However, when I restart windows I still get
the same message. I can start Windows by placing the CD in the drive
directing boot from CDROM in Setup but not pressing a key when requested
during boot up. Windows then boots normally and works without a problem.
Windows Exploere shows the presence of both files in the C: directory.

How can I get the system to boot up normally? Any thoughts/advice?

You have to change the disk that the BIOS is set to boot. Run Disk
Management in Windows XP, and identify the disk that contains the
System partition. Then go into BIOS setup, and set that disk as the
one that the BIOS boots. If the setting for First Boot Device, Second
Boot Device, etc., only lets you to select Hard Disk, then the setting
for Hard Disk Boot Priority or Hard Disk Drives determines which hard
disk gets booted.