ntldr missing, deleted partition, cannot install windows

I am in big trouble.

i tried to reinstall windows, clean out my system and have a fresh intsall.
so i booted from my xp disc and when it got to the partition part i made the terrible mistake of deleting the partion and creating a new one. so after the partition format, it said windows setup cannot continue, if this problem persists, copy the installation files to your harddisk. fine
so i reboot and im greated with "ntldr is missing press ctrl alt del to reboot"

so now im stuck because i cant install windows without that error coming up and i cant boot into windows without the other error comeing up.

im trying to stay calm but as of right now i am in a stage of panic

please can someone help me?

 

It sounds like the computer is attempting to boot from the hard drive. Since you have no installation you will only get a message from the 'boot loader' program which is still on the partition. You should therefore, reboot the machine but open up the CMOS/BIOS screens and set your CD/DVD to be the first boot device. That way, the NTLDR file on the CD will be used and a full install can occur using the CD.

 

ive had my cd drive as the first boot device the whole time (thats how i booted from the cd.

i think whats happening is that i have an empty partition that doesnt have an OS on it, so obviously i cant boot up. but i icant reinstall the OS cause it gives me that error

 

You should be able to boot to the CD whether Windows is installed, messed up, whatever. You should be able to boot to the CD without a hard drive at all.

Make sure that you are pressing any key when it asks if you want to boot to CD. Sometimes it doesn't stay up there long, you have to be prepared.

It shouldn't have mattered that you reformatted the disk, I always do this to start fresh with a new install.

Make sure the disk isn't dirty, smudged or scratched as well.

Hope it helps.

 

i tried with xp pro, and MCE and no luck but i decided to pop in a home edition disc for fun and it magically worked. i have no idea what happened or how i fixed it but im just thanking my lucky stars thanks for the help guys!