NTLDR Missing: Solution

` , Aug 24, 2011


Issue:-

NTLDR is Missing.

Related errors:-

Below are the full error messages that may be seen when the computer is booting:-

1. NTLDR is Missing
Press any key to restart

2. Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR
Please insert another disk

3. NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl Alt Del to Restart




Causes:-

  1. 1. Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.
  2. 2. Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS.
  3. 3. Corrupt NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM file.
  4. 4. Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file.
  5. 5. Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using FAT32.
  6. 6. New hard disk drive being added.
  7. 7. Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.
  8. 8. Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
  9. 9. Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable.
  10. 10. Failing to enable USB keyboard support in the BIOS.

Solutions:-

Computer is booting from a non-bootable source

Many times this error is caused when the computer is attempting to boot from a non-bootable floppy disk or CD-ROM. First verify that no floppy diskette or CD is in the computer, unless you are attempting to boot from a diskette.

Note: This error has also been known to occur when a memory stick is in a card reader and the computer is attempting to boot from it. If you have any card reader or flash reader make sure that no memory stick is inside the computer. Additionally disconnect all USB drives, cameras, ipods, iphones, etc. from the computer.

If you are attempting to boot from a floppy diskette and are receiving this error message it is likely that the diskette does not have all the necessary files or is corrupt.

If you are attempting to install Windows XP or Windows 2000 and are receiving this error message as the computer is booting verify that your computer BIOS has the proper boot settings. For example, if you are attempting to run the install from the CD-ROM make sure the CD-ROM is the first boot device, and not the hard disk drive.

Second, when the computer is booting you should receive the below prompt.
Press any key to boot from the CD

Important: When you see this message press any key such as the Enter key immediately, otherwise it will try booting from the hard drive and likely get the NTLDR error again.

Note: If you are not receiving the above message and your BIOS boot options are set properly it's also possible that your CD-ROM drive may not be booting from the CD-ROM properly. Verify the jumpers are set properly on the CD-ROM drive.



Windows XP users:-
  1. 1. Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
  2. 2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
  3. 3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
  4. 4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
  5. 5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
  6. 6. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. 

    In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.

    copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
    copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
  7. 7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD   from the computer and reboot.