winxp won't boot (NTLDR is missing)

Hi all
When i start my xp computer it comes up with 'NTLDR is missing'
so i copied the c:\ntldr, c:\ntdetect.com, c:\boot.ini to a floppy from another xp computer and i can then boot of the floppy and winxp starts.

What i want to now do is copy the 3 files from the floppy to my hard drive but because their hidden files i cant. can anybody help ?

 

Unhide them.

Settings > Control Panel > Folder Options > View.

 

the easiest way to sort this would probably to reinstall a copy of windows over your current copy. When you run the install program, there should be a repair option.

Just make sure first of all that you don't have a CD in your drive and trying to boot from it.

Otherwise, if you look at Microsoft Knowledge base they say that you need to obtain a copy from their product support.

Just do a search on the knowledge base for MISSING NTLDR

Hope this helps

 

still got probs

Dennis

no this didnt work
has anybody else got and suggestions please

 

What exactly is the problem? Can you drag the files off from the floppy?

 

yes ive dragged the files from the floppy but still no joy. im still getting NTLDR is missing
yet if i boot from the floppy winxp starts ok

HELP

 

Do you have the full version XP CD? Try copying ntldr from the CD if you do.

Are you copying these files to the root of your system drive?

Is IO.sys in the root directory?

Is the computer you copied the boot.ini file from configured exactly the same as the faulty one (same drive letters, boot partition, etc.)?

Failing that, you might try a repair installation.

 

tried the suggestions above but still no luck even after a reinstall of windows over the top.
the boot.ini file has got the correct sequence

 

How about a little history:

Has this computer ever booted into XP?

Are you using FAT32 or NTFS file system?

Is this an upgrade over a previous operating system?

and anything else you think might be useful.

 

How about a little history:

Has this computer ever booted into XP? YES

Are you using FAT32 or NTFS file system? FAT32

Is this an upgrade over a previous operating system? NO

and anything else you think might be useful.

I cant see how when i put the floppy in and turn on the PC it starts fine with those 3 files (ntldr, ntdetect.com, boot.ini).
But if i copy the three files from the floppy to their locations it will not load windows. just comes up with NTLDR is missing

 

It may be a problem with FAT32. Try these procedures:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314057

If you have just installed XP, you may want to format and reinstall using the NTFS file system. XP is more at home with that.
If it is a file-system issue, problems could arise later, too.

A fragmented MBR with ntldr in the second fragment will also cause it not to be found, but that isn't possible with FAT32.

You might try fixboot and fixmbr from the Recovery Console. Boot from your CD and choose the Recovery Console. Once logged in, type: Help for a list of commands.

Try chkdsk from the console. Type: chkdsk /? for options.

 

Thanks for all your help
but i've found the answer. when i formatted the drive the problem was still there so i fdisked, still no luck. so i then zapped the 0 track on the disk and this solved my prob.
If this ever happens again can i rebuild the 0 track on the hard disk

 

I think there are some programs which should be able to do this for you. Have a look on the web, such as www.download.com and to a search for MBR (master boot record). This is what was damaged.

Also, would recomend you do a full virus check as it may be a virus which infected your MBR. Would be a good idea to do a full scandisk as well - just check for any bad sectors - if there are any, would prob be best to buy a new HD.

Regards.

Denis