Re: NTLDR is missing

The computer has been running for around six months very happily on XP pro
with SP2 and is automatically updated.
No change has been made to the system and no programs recently added.
The bios is upto date and yet, suddenly on start up the files are missing.
Exactly the same has happenned on both occasions. The previous time being
about 12 months ago.
After trying the repair method suggested and failing, each time I resorted
to the clean re-install.
Each time everything appears to be OK.
So, why do the files go missing. If they become corrupted, how?
It seems quite a coincidence that it happens twice.
Is this a Microsoft mystery that has to be accepted.

leonperrins

"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

> [[This problem may occur if the basic input/output system (BIOS) on your
> computer is outdated, or if one or more of the following Windows boot files
> are missing or damaged:
> Ntldr
> Ntdetect.com
> Boot.ini ]]
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318728
>
> [[Cause:
> Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.
> Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS.
> Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file.
> Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file.
> Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using
> FAT32.
> New hard disk drive being added.
> Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.
> Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
> Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable. ]]
> http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm
>
> [[For this problem to occur, all the following conditions must be true:
> • The system/startup partition is formatted with the FAT32 file system.
> • The computer starts by using INT-13 extensions. (This is a partition
> larger than 7.8 GB with a System-ID type of 0C in the partition table).
> • Because of the cloning procedure, the Heads (sides) value in the FAT32
> BIOS Parameter Block (BPB) does not match the geometry of the physical
> drive. ]]
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q314057&ID=KB;EN-US;q314057
>
> --
> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>
> Wes
> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> In news:0B2ED72E-B0DB-4797-81FC-B46E4384CAEB@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
> leonperrins <leonperrins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> hunted and pecked:
> > OKay. but why does this malfunction occur?
> > I have suffered twice from it and copying the suggested i files did not
> > effect a repair.
> > I had to clean re-install.
> > So, come on Microsoft, why does it happen?
> >
> > leonperrins
> >
> > "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
> >
> >> "b11_" <b11@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:4DCBEFEB-628A-46C1-BC1A-FB13765DAFC5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>> During bootup, the message below appeared:
> >>>
> >>> NTLDR is missing
> >>>
> >>> Press Control+ALT+Del to restart
> >>
> >> Does the machine have a diskette drive? If so, is there a diskette in
> >> it? If so, pop it out. That's a very common cause of this problem.
> >>
> >> If there isn't, you may need to do a repair install. Unfortunately, it
> >> sounds like the system recovery CDs you got with the machine don't
> >> support that; in which case you may have to find an original install CD
> >> that works with your key, but doing that could be a problem.
> >> Ultimately, you may find that you have to purchase another XP license to
> >> be able to do the repair install.
> >>
> >> However, you can try this: If the system has simply lost the ntldr
> >> file, copy one to diskette from another machine. Borrow an XP install
> >> CD and boot to the recovery console. Copy the file from the floppy to
> >> the root of the drive, then reboot normally.
> >>
> >> This may not work if the recovery console can't get to the root of the
> >> drive. If that happens, a way around is to remove and host your drive
> >> in another machine (or in an external USB case) and copy the file.
> >> Replace your drive and see if it boots.
> >>
> >> This problem is why it's not a good idea to purchase machines that come
> >> only with "recovery" CDs and not bootable proper installation media.
> >> Don't encourage manufacturers to save a few cents this way.
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> -pk
>
>
.

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