theBlackman on 2/4/2009 at 10:19
I'm trying to do a new install of XP and I get a NTLDR MISSING error message.
Any hints, clues, ways to defeat this and install my XP?
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks, whether you can help or no.
EvaUnit02 on 2/4/2009 at 10:26
This happens sometimes when you're reinstalling over an existing Windows installation. Try wiping the partition with Gparted before hand.
bikerdude on 2/4/2009 at 12:48
or you could boot from a Win98/Xp startup floppy and type the following
" fdisk /mbr "
This formats the master boot record (mbr) on the hard drive - but only do this is there is NO data on the drive you want to keep.
Here is a list of alternative commands.
Code:
FORMAT = places a file system on the disk for storage or a operating system.
FORMAT /c = Causes FORMAT to retest bad clusters, otherwise FORMAT will mark the clusters as bad but will not retest them.
FORMAT /s = prepares a partition or disk to make it active or bootable.
FORMAT /mbr = creates a new boot sector and should only be used as a last resort.
FORMAT /q =this is mostly unknown but seems to work if your having problems getting the W95 setup to work (not recommended unless it's a last ditch effort).
FORMAT /U = Does a unconditional format, so do the SYS C: to get system files -- then a through scandisk to fix any errors. This FORMAT /U parameter performs an UNCONDITIONAL format, which DESTROYS every byte of data on a disk by overwriting it with.
WARNING: You CANNOT UNFORMAT a disk formatted using the /U option!
FORMAT /SELECT /U = This particular combination of FORMAT.COM parameters makes a disk UNREADABLE! WARNING: DO NOT use these two FORMAT switches TOGETHER on ANY drive!
FORMAT /Z:n = formats a FAT32 drive with a cluster size of n times 512 bytes. Meaning: drive: = your hard drive letter (C:, D:, etc). n = number of sectors per cluster multiplied by 512 = cluster size in bytes. Examples: n = 1 creates a 512 bytes cluster; n = 2 creates a 1024 bytes (1 KB) cluster; n = ? creates a ? x 512 = ???? bytes (???? bytes : 1024 = ? KB) cluster.
ZylonBane on 2/4/2009 at 13:04
ntl;dr
theBlackman on 4/4/2009 at 01:55
Thanks all. But I took the easy way out. I found a replacement MOBO. The problem was a little more than just the NTLDR.
New CMOS battery, no fix. RAM check. OK. Reboot, missing 2 GIG ram. Reboot, need fix date. Reboot, can't find HDD.
So, it was a little more complicated than I suspected.
I am sure the new board (same make model and specs) will solve my problem.
And I have a new CPU with about twice the Horsepower on order.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
signed:
The old Cranky fart.
