Re: NTLDR File is missing Msg upon Windows startup

Hello thecreator,

I have great news(thanks to you). I partitioned the primary HD as follows:
C:\ partition - 8 MB - formatted as FAT- used for system files
D:\ partition - 40 GB - formatted as NTFS - used for Windows XP
all system-related functions(printing, Anti-virus, sound drivers,etc.)
are installed in D:\ partition
E:\ - this is my CDROM
F:\ - this is secondary HD - used for documents, user applications

Since I had another physical HD, there was really no need to create a 3rd
partition
in the primary HD. Now I have just a couple of more questions:
1) I still cannot locate system files in C:\ partition. I know they are
there but are still hidden. Once I find them, I will copy them as .sav

2) I will get new memory as this was another task left after clearing the
CMOS Bios

3) Should the infamous "NTLDR File is missing" situation happen again, I
will do the following:
a) Rename the .SAV members & try to reboot
b) disconnect the primary HD & connect the secondary again as C:\, boot up
the system & find out what the problem is with system partition in primary HD
c) Reformat system partition if necessary

Is there anything you would add or change to the above?

Thanks in advance

"CF" wrote:

I'll try first w/CD, & use Win'98 dos system disk as backup. I'll keep you
posted.
Thanks for everything

"thecreator" wrote:

Hi CF,

The option to format with FAT and FAT32 are there. However, you could
use Windows 98 SE Startup Diskette and also BootIt NG program from a Floppy
Diskafter downloading the program from
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/downloads-bootit-next-generation.htm . As
long as you don't install BootIt NG, but run it from Maintenance Mode, you
can work on Partitions, including imaging them from DOS.

Actually BootIt NG, when it creates partitions, doesn't leave any unused
space available. A program like Acronis Disk Director Suite 10, does.

It also has the ability to create Partition Images.

SPECIAL BUNDLE PRICING Purchase BootIt NG and Image for Windows (includes
Image for DOS/Linux and the OSD Tool Suite) together and receive over 40%
off the normal price from RegNow or BTSoftware.
All five products for only $49.98!

This is not a Sales pitch, because I don't work for TeraByte. I am
unemployed.



--
thecreator

"CF" <CF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7404F355-9C61-4202-940A-34A5C9FDF308@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello the creator,

After creating a 40 GB partition for windows, I will format the
unformatted
8M partition & I wil make the following assumption that the 8MB partition
will be used for the system files(NTDETECT, NTLDR, BOOT.INI, etc.), unless
there is something I missed. Otherwise, I may have another issue: Each
time I
have used the XP CD, I don't believe I have ever had an option to format a
partition in FAT or FAT32. I believe NTFS is the only option(but then
again,
I have not partitoned a hard drive into several partitions as you are
describing).

If NTFS is not an option for the soon-to-be-created C:\, should I find a
Windows'98
system disk & create partitions in that manner? or is NTFS for C:\ okay?

Thanks in advance

"thecreator" wrote:

Hi CF,

Ideally, when you use Windows XP Pro Ed CD to partition, format and
install the operating system, you want to start with an unpartition or
new
Hard Drive.

For Example: If a brand new Hard Drive was 320 GB in size, you want
to
use the XP CD to create a partition size of 40 GB in size. After it is
created, you will notice an unformatted partition of 8 MB in size. Format
that space using either FAT32 or FAT. This will be Drive C:\. Next format
the 40 GB in size with the NTFS File System and install Windows XP Pro
Ed.

You do not have to finish partitioning the Hard Drive all at once.
Within Windows XP, you can use the operating system to partition the rest
of
the Hard Drive, or you can use, if you have it, Acronis Disk Director
Suite
10. You never ideally want the operating system partition to be larger
than
40 GB in size. Maintenance takes forever with large partitions. You want
a
seperate partition for your Documents. Why? You don't need to worry about
losing the Documents partition, if your Operating System partition,
becomes
corrupt and unbootable. You can reformat and reinstall the operating
system
or even restore an image file of the operating system, when it was
working.
Now, you can also create a seperate partition that holds your Drive /
Partition images, but ideally, you want a second Hard Drive to store the
image on, if possible.

Let's not forget about Outlook Express Store Folders, or the
Briefcase
Folder. The Briefcase Folder, itself, does not need to be locate on the
Desktop, but can be located on the Documents partition, but not within My
Documents folder. Just create a shortcut of My Briefcase Folder on the
Desktop.

True, it is complicated, but well worth the hassle, if your operating
system becomes corrupted or unbootable. It is the User's Decision on how
to
proceed. Note: Manufacturers create one Large partition and place the
operating system and everything inside it, because it is real fast
getting
it out the door. As a User, you want a safe system, because problems do
occur.

To reply directly, take out "ofXuxa". :)

Both Hard Drives, do not need to be partitioned the same, unless you
are
using RAID configuration.



--
thecreator

"CF" <CF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7D869B52-4E43-4AE7-8280-578DC853494B@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello thecreator,

After reading up on the subject, I can have 2 partitions: the system
partition which contains the boot files(NTLDR, NTDETECT, Boot.INI) &
the
boot
partition which contains Windows.
1) Is this what you were referring to?
2)If this is what you meant, is there an option that allows me to
create a
system partition while installing windows in the other partitions?
3) If 1 & 2 are true, if I were to create a system backup from the
working
'C' drive
do both drives need to be formatted/partitioned/created the same
way?

Thanks in advance
Regards,

CF

"CF" wrote:

Hello thecreator,

Curently the large HD has 8 meg unpartitioned space while everything
else
is
inside one large partition, so I basically created one very large
partition(by the way, this is XP Pro). What would I gain by
reformatting
&
partitioning the HD into 2 logical drives as it pertains to the
boot.ini,
or
for that matter, any file needed during booting of system?

Regards,
CF

"thecreator" wrote:

Hi CF,

That's okay.

Just remember, if you are starting over, try partitioning your
large
Hard Drive. I don't have Windows XP Home Edition on any Hard Drive
as
C:\, I
have it installed as E:\ and G:\ on this computer. Partition / Drive
C:
actually holds the Boot information, where you will find the
Boot.ini
file.
Each time, you make a change, the working Boot.ini is renamed
Boot.ini.saved.

This is a normal working Boot.ini Configuration File on my
system:
[boot loader]
timeout=6
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Home
Edition E" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(4)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Home
Edition G" /fastdetect



--
thecreator

"CF" <CF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:AFB46FF1-C6C9-4345-AFDD-835147ACE1B2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello thecreator,

I apologize about taking a two week hiatus before tackling these
PC
issues.
I have good news. After clearing the CMOS bios and using only one
connected
hard drive, I re-installed XP using the regular format & not quick
format.
I
now have a working system. I was able to re-connect what was
originally
the
primary HD, but is now the 'E' drive. The CD-ROM is the 'D" drive.
If you
remember, the current 'E' drive
was the drive originally reporting the 'NTLDR file missing'
messages.
After
doing a quick search on boot.ini, XP could not find it(I probably
need to
click the option which allows me to show hidden files). I will
retrieve
the
output of the defective drive's boot.ini & display them to you. At
this
point
I am thinking of trying to copy the boot.ini from the working 'C'
drive to
the 'E' drive, swapping the cables between 'C' & 'E' & going for
broke.
Otherwise you can expect the output from the bad boot.ini

Regards,
CF

"CF" wrote:

Hello thecreator,

Thanks very much for helping. As it turns out, this motherboard
by
Soyo
has
2 internal controllers, so each HD can be master in its
respective
controller, but controller 2 can never own the "C" drive. When I
installed XP
on the "D" drive, it gave messages that it successfully installed
but I
never
got past the "Verifying DMI Pool data" message followed by
YoYo(unreadable)
machine language. So I will disconnect the good drive, connect
the
2nd
drive
to primary controller, & reinstall XP on the drive, but this time
the 2nd
drive will be the "C" drive when I do the install. Even before I
install,
I
will disconnect primary HD & make secondary HD "C" drive &
reboot,
I may
get
lucky. I could sure use some luck just about now, But at least I
have a
plan,
I will keep you posted, I will be working on this throughout
weekend, so
you
can lookout for updates from me during weekend.
Regards,

CF

"thecreator" wrote:

Hi CF,

I found this link on the Web:
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/computer/dmi.html

Remove all CDs from the CD Drives and see what happens.

Also Clear Computer BIOS, by following the motherboard's
manufacturer's
procedure for resetting the Computer BIOS and see what happens.

You will need to manually readjust the settings you were
using
to
boot
to a specific Hard Drive.


--
thecreator
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 2 Hard Drives - 2 Oper. Sys-Excellent Help
    ... You'll need to install Windows ME first, ... >extended partition, we can create one or more "logical ... >> | choice of seperate OS and drives at bootup. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)
  • Re: Corrupted H/D after Win98SE install attempt over WinXP Home
    ... FDISK again to recreate a FAT32 partition. ... >a "retail upgrade version" of Windows XP Home Edition ... install Windows XP. ... drives. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Is my HDD big enough to run 2 XP OSs?
    ... A PC does not run with Windows XP alone. ... I only have a single Windows XP install, with one profile, MS Office ... Internal hard drives are inexpensive. ... partition magic to create the second partition on the new drive and make your second ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: xp on intel Mac from usb stick?
    ... Would it be possible to run windows xp native from a usb stick? ... A custom slipstreamed CD is required to install XP on a Mac. ... partition managers but if you're feeling adventurous you may ... This procedure WILL WIPE YOUR iMAC DISK CLEAN. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.apps)
  • Re: XP does not install.
    ... You now have windows successfully installed on the new 200gb hard ... > clean install. ... He then deleted the partition so that ... >>> My HD is partitioned into three drives: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)