unable to install XP on new HD

[elly]

Hello,
After installing a new HD to replace non-working HD on an older PC I
proceeded to install XP Pro but a few minutes into setup I got a message that
a file could not be extracted from the cd I think it was cab.driver or
something like that I cannot acces that information now, I retried but could
not be done so the next option was to exit setup and try again which I did,
here comes the problem when I tried to reboot to start XP set up again the
system will go past the bios boot but stops before loading XP from CD rom I
get a black screen with the following message NTLDR missing press alt ctrl
del to restart, but It will not work I keep on getting the same message
everytime, I have tried a different CD rom but the same, I am stuck not being
able to get past this problem. My PC is a pentium 4, bios seems to be
working ok I
setted it up to boot from cd and the new HD has been detected. Please help
Thank you for your support
Elly

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Boot to xp setup CD, and press 'r' for the recovery console prompt. Run the
command:
BOOTCFG /REBUILD

 

[Homer S.]

Hello,
After installing a new HD to replace non-working HD on an older PC I
proceeded to install XP Pro but a few minutes into setup I got a message that
a file could not be extracted from the cd I think it was cab.driver or
something like that I cannot acces that information now, I retried but could
not be done so the next option was to exit setup and try again which I did,
here comes the problem when I tried to reboot to start XP set up again the
system will go past the bios boot but stops before loading XP from CD rom I
get a black screen with the following message NTLDR missing press alt ctrl
del to restart, but It will not work I keep on getting the same message
everytime, I have tried a different CD rom but the same, I am stuck not being
able to get past this problem. My PC is a pentium 4, bios seems to be
working ok I
setted it up to boot from cd and the new HD has been detected. Please help
Thank you for your support
Elly

The boot sequence in your motherboard's CMOS settings is set to boot from the hard
drive before checking the CD-ROM drive for a bootable CD. Since your hard drive now
has an aborted installation of Windows XP, the boot process is getting hung up there
before ever going out to try to boot from the CD. Go into the BIOS, find the setting
for boot sequence and make the CD-ROM drive the first boot device. I always set the
following sequence: #1. CD-ROM Drive(s) #2. 3.5" Floppy drive (or USB) #3. Main Hard
Drive.

It would also be a good idea to clean the XP CD and run a cleaning CD in the CD-ROM
drive you're trying to boot from. After that's all done, restart and see if the
installation continues. If not, just delete the partition you created, reformat it
and start all over again.

Have fun!
HJS

 

[elly]

Thank you I will try it and let you know if it worked.

 

[Anna]

Thank you I will try it and let you know if it worked.

elly:
Assuming the problem you've described still exists after following Homer's
suggestions...

During the boot sequence involving your XP OS installation CD, a message
will (or should) appear on your screen to the following effect...
""Press any key to boot from CD"
Is there any possibility that you may be overlooking that message during the
bootup process? If you don't "press any key" shortly after that message
appears, the system will boot to whichever other device your BIOS indicates
is next in line in the boot priority order, presumably your HDD in most
cases.

I realize you've stated that you were (at least at one point) able to get
into "setup", which of course indicates that you were able (again, at least
at one point) to access the XP OS installation CD to undertake a fresh
install of the OS. So it may be the above is not relevant. However, you now
indicate you continually receive that infamous "NTLDR is missing" message so
it's apparent the system is attempting to boot to your HDD and not the XP
installation CD.

While the problem *may* be a defective XP installation CD, you say you've
experienced the problem with two such CDs. Assuming one of those CDs is not
merely a copy of the original CD that you or someone else previously
created, it's unlikely two different XP OS installation CDs would be
defective.

Anyway, should the problem still remain, give it another shot along the
lines I've described above.
Anna

 

[elly]

Hello,
I have tried everything suggested changing Bios boot to CD ROM as 1st etc, I
have made sure I press any key when prompted to boot from CD rom but I still
get missing ntldrmissing, I have checked the connections to HD it all seems
in place, the HD is detected by Bios but it does not detect the full capacity
it is a 160GB but bios only detects 136GB. I have only used one CD with many
attempts, the CD is a good original one, I have not have any problems with it
before, and yes I was able the first time I tried to install XP to start
setup and aborted because of a file that could not be extracted, that's when
my problem started, I have carefully cleaned the CD but it has made no
difference.
Thank you for your support
Elly

 

[deejaydee]

Hi elly,
Just read your post, are you by any chance continually hitting any key
,after the first instance ,you will see this message many times while
the system reboots itself. Ignore these other prompts and leave alone
while the system loads.
hoping that this is the only problem.

deejaydee

 

[elly]

Thank you I will try that, hope it works

Hi elly,
Just read your post, are you by any chance continually hitting any key
,after the first instance ,you will see this message many times while
the system reboots itself. Ignore these other prompts and leave alone
while the system loads.
hoping that this is the only problem.

deejaydee

 

[Anna]

Hello,
I have tried everything suggested changing Bios boot to CD ROM as 1st etc,
I
have made sure I press any key when prompted to boot from CD rom but I
still
get missing ntldrmissing, I have checked the connections to HD it all
seems
in place, the HD is detected by Bios but it does not detect the full
capacity
it is a 160GB but bios only detects 136GB. I have only used one CD with
many
attempts, the CD is a good original one, I have not have any problems with
it
before, and yes I was able the first time I tried to install XP to start
setup and aborted because of a file that could not be extracted, that's
when
my problem started, I have carefully cleaned the CD but it has made no
difference.
Thank you for your support
Elly

Elly:
Please understand that when the "NTLDR is missing..." error message appears
on your screen, it means that the system is *not* booting to the XP OS
installation CD you have inserted. The system has attempted to boot to your
HDD, but because it detects a corrupted XP OS you get the "NTLDR is
missing..." error message.

Whenever we come across this problem, i.e., the system won't boot to the XP
installation CD, we invariably find one of the following reasons for it...
1. The BIOS boot priority order setting indicates the system will boot to
the HDD (or some other device) *before* the bootable CD inserted in the
user's optical drive.
2. Should the BIOS setting indicate that the CD-ROM is first in boot order
priority, the user has failed to notice the "Press any key..." message
during the bootup so that the system attempts a boot to the HDD. Or doesn't
press the key immediately following the message.
3. A defective optical drive that doesn't "read" the CD or a defective XP
installation CD (the latter an extremely rare occurrence in our experience).
4. A defective HDD.

It's possible there might be other hardware issues involved that are causing
this problem but they're so rare that at least for the moment they can be
disregarded (although I do note that you originally stated that the current
HDD is "to replace non-working HD on an older PC" indicating previous
problems with the system which always arouses suspicion that there might be
other hardware problems with the system that's causing your present
problem).

Anyway...based on the information you've provided it would seem no problem
exists with respect to 1. & 2. above, nor does there appear to be any
hardware problem involving the XP installation CD or the optical drive or
your HDD. And I'm assuming there's no hardware-type problem with your HDD.
So I'm at a loss as to what to suggest next.

Are you *absolutely* sure that when you've changed (or verified) the BIOS
setting involving the boot priority order so as to ensure that the
CD/DVD-ROM is first in boot order priority that you've exited from the BIOS
*only* after you've clicked on the "Exit Saving Changes" (or similar) BIOS
menu item terminating your session with the BIOS? And that you're absolutely
sure you've clicked on a key immediately following the "Press any key..."
message?
Anna

 

[Jack Mehoff]

Elly:
Please understand that when the "NTLDR is missing..." error message appears
on your screen, it means that the system is *not* booting to the XP OS
installation CD you have inserted. The system has attempted to boot to your
HDD, but because it detects a corrupted XP OS you get the "NTLDR is
missing..." error message.

Whenever we come across this problem, i.e., the system won't boot to the XP
installation CD, we invariably find one of the following reasons for it...
1. The BIOS boot priority order setting indicates the system will boot to
the HDD (or some other device) *before* the bootable CD inserted in the
user's optical drive.

Like Homer S. said above....

2. Should the BIOS setting indicate that the CD-ROM is first in boot order
priority, the user has failed to notice the "Press any key..." message
during the bootup so that the system attempts a boot to the HDD. Or doesn't
press the key immediately following the message.
3. A defective optical drive that doesn't "read" the CD or a defective XP
installation CD (the latter an extremely rare occurrence in our experience).
4. A defective HDD.

It's possible there might be other hardware issues involved that are causing
this problem but they're so rare that at least for the moment they can be
disregarded (although I do note that you originally stated that the current
HDD is "to replace non-working HD on an older PC" indicating previous
problems with the system which always arouses suspicion that there might be
other hardware problems with the system that's causing your present
problem).

Anyway...based on the information you've provided it would seem no problem
exists with respect to 1. & 2. above, nor does there appear to be any
hardware problem involving the XP installation CD or the optical drive or
your HDD. And I'm assuming there's no hardware-type problem with your HDD.
So I'm at a loss as to what to suggest next.

Are you *absolutely* sure that when you've changed (or verified) the BIOS
setting involving the boot priority order so as to ensure that the
CD/DVD-ROM is first in boot order priority that you've exited from the BIOS
*only* after you've clicked on the "Exit Saving Changes" (or similar) BIOS
menu item terminating your session with the BIOS?

Again, what Homer said......

 

[elly]

Hi Anna
Thanks for explaining everything so well. the answer to your questions is
yes I have made sure that CD ROM is the 1st option, then floppy and lastly HD
and have exited BIOS saving the changes, I get prompted to press any key to
boot from CD ROM and I do press the any key right after I am prompted. One
thing you have not noted is the fact that I was able to enter XP setup first
just after installing new HD and that it had to be abborted because of a file
that could not be extracted from the CD, the problem with the missing NRLDR
started as I tried to re-enter XP Setup and that is where I am at. I don't
know what went wrong, the HD has been detected by Bios it is properly
connected to the primary master HD and I was once able to boot to OS XP from
CD and setup was initiatated but somewhere along this process things went
bad. Any other suggestions I am about to chuck this PC to the bin...thank
you for your patience
Elly

 

[Anna]

Hello,
I have tried everything suggested changing Bios boot to CD ROM as 1st etc,
I
have made sure I press any key when prompted to boot from CD rom but I
still
get missing ntldrmissing, I have checked the connections to HD it all
seems
in place, the HD is detected by Bios but it does not detect the full
capacity
it is a 160GB but bios only detects 136GB. I have only used one CD with
many
attempts, the CD is a good original one, I have not have any problems with
it
before, and yes I was able the first time I tried to install XP to start
setup and aborted because of a file that could not be extracted, that's
when
my problem started, I have carefully cleaned the CD but it has made no
difference.
Thank you for your support
Elly

Elly:
Please understand that when the "NTLDR is missing..." error message appears
on your screen, it means that the system is *not* booting to the XP OS
installation CD you have inserted. The system has attempted to boot to your
HDD, but because it detects a corrupted XP OS you get the "NTLDR is
missing..." error message.

Whenever we come across this problem, i.e., the system won't boot to the XP
installation CD, we invariably find one of the following reasons for it...
1. The BIOS boot priority order setting indicates the system will boot to
the HDD (or some other device) *before* the bootable CD inserted in the
user's optical drive.
2. Should the BIOS setting indicate that the CD-ROM is first in boot order
priority, the user has failed to notice the "Press any key..." message
during the bootup so that the system attempts a boot to the HDD. Or doesn't
press the key immediately following the message.
3. A defective optical drive that doesn't "read" the CD or a defective XP
installation CD (the latter an extremely rare occurrence in our experience).
4. A defective HDD.

It's possible there might be other hardware issues involved that are causing
this problem but they're so rare that at least for the moment they can be
disregarded (although I do note that you originally stated that the current
HDD is "to replace non-working HD on an older PC" indicating previous
problems with the system which always arouses suspicion that there might be
other hardware problems with the system that's causing your present
problem).

Anyway...based on the information you've provided it would seem no problem
exists with respect to 1. & 2. above, nor does there appear to be any
hardware problem involving the XP installation CD or the optical drive or
your HDD. And I'm assuming there's no hardware-type problem with your HDD.
So I'm at a loss as to what to suggest next.

Are you *absolutely* sure that when you've changed (or verified) the BIOS
setting involving the boot priority order so as to ensure that the
CD/DVD-ROM is first in boot order priority that you've exited from the BIOS
*only* after you've clicked on the "Exit Saving Changes" (or similar) BIOS
menu item terminating your session with the BIOS? And that you're absolutely
sure you've clicked on a key immediately following the "Press any key..."
message?
Anna

Hi Anna
Thanks for explaining everything so well. the answer to your questions is
yes I have made sure that CD ROM is the 1st option, then floppy and lastly
HD
and have exited BIOS saving the changes, I get prompted to press any key
to
boot from CD ROM and I do press the any key right after I am prompted.
One
thing you have not noted is the fact that I was able to enter XP setup
first
just after installing new HD and that it had to be abborted because of a
file
that could not be extracted from the CD, the problem with the missing
NRLDR
started as I tried to re-enter XP Setup and that is where I am at. I
don't
know what went wrong, the HD has been detected by Bios it is properly
connected to the primary master HD and I was once able to boot to OS XP
from
CD and setup was initiatated but somewhere along this process things went
bad. Any other suggestions I am about to chuck this PC to the bin...thank
you for your patience
Elly

Hi Anna
Thanks for explaining everything so well. the answer to your questions is
yes I have made sure that CD ROM is the 1st option, then floppy and lastly
HD
and have exited BIOS saving the changes, I get prompted to press any key
to
boot from CD ROM and I do press the any key right after I am prompted.
One
thing you have not noted is the fact that I was able to enter XP setup
first
just after installing new HD and that it had to be abborted because of a
file
that could not be extracted from the CD, the problem with the missing
NRLDR
started as I tried to re-enter XP Setup and that is where I am at. I
don't
know what went wrong, the HD has been detected by Bios it is properly
connected to the primary master HD and I was once able to boot to OS XP
from
CD and setup was initiatated but somewhere along this process things went
bad. Any other suggestions I am about to chuck this PC to the bin...thank
you for your patience
Elly

Elly:
I honestly don't know what else to suggest. From your description of the
problem it just doesn't sound like a hardware-type of problem. And it
appears that you are doing everything "right" re booting to the XP
installation CD and attempting to fresh install the XP OS.

As a last resort - while it's not something I would ordinarily suggest in
this type of problem - but as a last resort...

Since you're able to post messages, you obviously have another PC available
to you. Is there any chance that you could install your problem HDD in that
machine either as an internal or external (USB) drive? And should you be
able to do so, use the XP Disk Management utility to delete any & all
partitions on the HDD? I assume you're familiar with XP's DM utility.

If that's not possible, would you have a DOS boot floppy-disk available (a
Win9x/Me "startup disk" for example) and boot to the floppy with your
problem PC, access the FDISK command, determine if any partitions have been
created, and if so, delete them?

After which you would again attempt a fresh install of the XP OS. I realize
you're probably sick & tired of going through this exercise of installing
the OS again & again but I just don't know what else to suggest at this
point other than to begin anew with a fresh "virgin" HDD.

As I've previously indicated, the problem (as you've described it) doesn't
seem to lend itself to the possibility of a defective HDD but in view of
what's been happening (or not happening!!) maybe it would be a good idea to
also check out the health of the HDD through the HDD diagnostic utility
available for download from the manufacturer of the HDD involved (or was
included in the package if you purchased a retail, boxed version of the
HDD).

Anyway, persevere for the moment. Assuming we're not dealing with defective
components (as it seems for the moment) there should be no reason why you
cannot fresh install the XP OS onto your HDD. So keep trying and please keep
us informed of your progress (or lack of!).
Anna

 

[Homer S.]

Hi Anna
Thanks for explaining everything so well. the answer to your questions is
yes I have made sure that CD ROM is the 1st option, then floppy and lastly HD
and have exited BIOS saving the changes, I get prompted to press any key to
boot from CD ROM and I do press the any key right after I am prompted. One
thing you have not noted is the fact that I was able to enter XP setup first
just after installing new HD and that it had to be abborted because of a file
that could not be extracted from the CD, the problem with the missing NRLDR
started as I tried to re-enter XP Setup and that is where I am at. I don't
know what went wrong, the HD has been detected by Bios it is properly
connected to the primary master HD and I was once able to boot to OS XP from
CD and setup was initiatated but somewhere along this process things went
bad. Any other suggestions I am about to chuck this PC to the bin...thank
you for your patience
Elly

Remove the XP install CD. Boot the system to a floppy disk that has the FDISK
command. Run FDISK and delete all partitions from the hard drive. Remove the floppy
disk, restart with the XP install CD and press the 'any key' if it asks. Restart the
XP installation.

For a boot disk go here: http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and use the following
link to get it: 'Windows 98 SE Custom, No Ramdrive | Mirror'.

For a Windows XP boot disk with tools try here:
http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml. Download the 'MS Windows XP System
setup disk'. Just boot to it and use one of the tools to wipe your hard drive clean
(re: delete all partitions).

Good luck,
Homer

 

[elly]

Thanks for the advice I will do as instructed. will keep you posted
Elly

 

[elly]

Hello again
I finally got my PC to boot from the XP disk as I was trying to boot up from
a floppy boot up disk as instructed, suddenly the computer started to boot up
from the XP CD so I have been able to delete all partitions. Anyway now I
have a different kind of problem. I have tried to install XP a few times
without success, the following is what happens: PC boots from XP CD ok it
goes with normal set up procedures loads files, copies files and then it says
that pc will restart and continue with setup procedures however it does not,
after restarting it goes back to the beginning of setup, loading and copying
files, formatting the partition etc, I have tried so many times and every
time the same happens, then other times setup just gets stuck into setup
cannot copy file ei driver.cab and if I hit the skip button it continues and
stops at some other file and it continues on not being able to copy some
files and so I have to abort installation. I don't know what this is, if
anyone has an idea what this means please let me know, this is getting very
extrange...Thanks again Guys for your invaluable help

Elly

 

[Anna]

Hello again
I finally got my PC to boot from the XP disk as I was trying to boot up
from
a floppy boot up disk as instructed, suddenly the computer started to boot
up
from the XP CD so I have been able to delete all partitions. Anyway now I
have a different kind of problem. I have tried to install XP a few times
without success, the following is what happens: PC boots from XP CD ok it
goes with normal set up procedures loads files, copies files and then it
says
that pc will restart and continue with setup procedures however it does
not,
after restarting it goes back to the beginning of setup, loading and
copying
files, formatting the partition etc, I have tried so many times and every
time the same happens, then other times setup just gets stuck into setup
cannot copy file ei driver.cab and if I hit the skip button it continues
and
stops at some other file and it continues on not being able to copy some
files and so I have to abort installation. I don't know what this is, if
anyone has an idea what this means please let me know, this is getting
very
extrange...Thanks again Guys for your invaluable help
Elly

Elly:
It's really difficult, if not impossible, to tell precisely what is causing
your problem at this point.

Conceivably it *could* be simply an instance of a defective XP OS
installation CD, but assuming you're using an "original" MS product that
would be an extremely rare occurrence in our experience. On the other hand,
should you be using a copy of the installation CD that would be a more
likely possibility. In any event, we've come across so very few instances of
a defective CD that we ordinarily discount that as the cause of the type of
problem you're experiencing at least for the moment. Anyway, it's something
to consider.

I'm not sure if I, or someone, previously recommended you check out your HDD
with the diagnostic program normally freely available from the website of
the manuf. of the disk. You should do this if you haven't up to now.

I'm really puzzled by your comment that "I finally got my PC to boot from
the XP disk as I was trying to boot up from a floppy boot up disk as
instructed..." There should be *no* involvement of a floppy disk in this
process of fresh installing the XP OS onto your HDD. Perhaps you're
indicating that you used a DOS floppy disk along the lines recommended by
Homer. There should be no need to do this.

The XP OS installation should be a straightforward setup process of just
using the installation CD to uninstall any existing partition(s) on your
HDD, then create and partition the disk as you please, and finally install
the OS.
Anna

 

[elly]

Hi Anna,
To clarify the floppy bootup disk I was using it to pass the NTLDR missing
message that initiated this post, I was trying to delete the partitions
created in HDD during the aborted xp install, but this time pc could not find
floppy drive so it went onto cd rom where I still had the xp cd so it got
into setup which is where I wanted to get to without sucess. This time as
you know the problem is different, I am using two different disks of xp one
an original and the other a copy but makes no difference i keep on going back
to the beginning of setup after the automatic restart of xp install. You are
suggesting checking the HDD but how can I do this if the PC is not functional
yet? I think I am going to take the HDD to where I bought it from and
explain the problem maybe they can help. Thank you so much for all your
help. Merry Christmas to you all beautiful people !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anna]

Hi Anna,
To clarify the floppy bootup disk I was using it to pass the NTLDR missing
message that initiated this post, I was trying to delete the partitions
created in HDD during the aborted xp install, but this time pc could not
find
floppy drive so it went onto cd rom where I still had the xp cd so it got
into setup which is where I wanted to get to without sucess. This time as
you know the problem is different, I am using two different disks of xp
one
an original and the other a copy but makes no difference i keep on going
back
to the beginning of setup after the automatic restart of xp install. You
are
suggesting checking the HDD but how can I do this if the PC is not
functional
yet? I think I am going to take the HDD to where I bought it from and
explain the problem maybe they can help. Thank you so much for all your
help. Merry Christmas to you all beautiful people !!!!!!!!!!!

elly:
My suggestion to check out the HDD was (is) nothing more than a
"shot-in-the-dark" at this point. I really *don't* think we're dealing with
a defective HDD but I've covered (in my opinion) all the other reasonable
possibilities of what is causing your problem and the possible solution to
such. Admittedly, the probability of a defective HDD being the root cause of
your problem is a slim one, but since it's relatively easy to perform the
diagnostics and the program to do so is freely available I thought it worth
a try.

It's still possible to check out the HDD even though you're unable to
install the XP OS onto that HDD. As I've indicated, you can download the
diagnostic program from the website of the manufacturer of your HDD. Since
you're obviously able to post messages to this newsgroup I assume you have a
working PC at your disposal and can download the program & create the floppy
disk. After downloading the program you simply create a bootable floppy disk
from the program and use the floppy to check out the HDD.

But if this is not practical, maybe it would be best at this point if you
would return the HDD to your local dealer from whom you purchased the disk
and let them check it out.

And Merry Christmas to you...
Anna