NTLDR is missing error after installing WinGuard 2005

Ok...I need some help here. I downloaded and installed WinGuard 2005 from MajorGeeks.com earlier today because I wanted to encrypt and hide a couple file folders. I encrypted and hid one file folder and all sub folders in it. Later, I couldn't access any of the files in the folder, so I tried to unencrypt the entire folder, but the program crashed, so I rebooted the system.

When I rebooted, I got an "NTLDR is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" error message and it just keeps rebooting and giving the same error message. I can't boot up my computer and have no idea what to do. Is there any way to safely remove the WinGuard program so that I can reboot my system, then unencrypt the files? How do I do it?

I really need to get my computer working in order to get my work done and am in a really tight spot. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

If you have windows xp try this link

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_bohs.asp

 

I tried using Fixboot from the Recovery Console, but it didn't work. It did rewrite the boot sector, but when I rebooted the computer I still get the same "NTLDR is missing" error.

The instructions also said something about using DiskProbe to find a copy of the boot sector and replace it, but nothing about how to do this, let alone starting or even finding DiskProbe. I tried starting it from the Recovery Console, but I have no idea what the command is. 'DiskProbe' doesn't work.

I've tried sending several emails to WG Soft, the authors of WinGuard 2005 (support@winguard.com), but haven't heard anything back from them. I'll let you know if I do.

This is a big waste of valuable time, not to mention a serious problem if I lose my data. Again, any help would be much appreciated.

 

Jay at the recovery console type

fixmbr

fixboot

 

sounds like the boot .ini file is looking for the ntldr file
you could boot from your copy of xp disk go to the i386 folder on there and copy the Ntldr.dll ,Ntdetect.com,and the Boot.ini file from the disk to the root folder c:\ of your computer

or run the repair facility form the xp disk


further reading

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

 

To copy NTLDR to your hard drive:

Copy the Ntldr file from the Windows XP CD-ROM to the root of your system partition by using the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

1. Type cd .. to go to the root of drive C. (Note the space)
2. Type the letter of the CD-ROM drive
3. Type cd i386 to change into the right directory
4. Type Copy ntldr c:
5. Type Exit

 

Went back into the Recovery Console and typed 'fixmbr' then 'fixboot'. The boot sector was rewritten. I rebooted the computer and got the 'NTLDR is missing' error again.

 

Try copying NTLDR to yur HDD as previously mentioned.

Also while in the recovery console enter this command

type c:/boot.ini

and tell me what it reads.

 

I copied the ntldr and Ntdetect files from the XP disk to the c:, but couldn't find a boot.ini file. I rebooted the computer and got an Invalid boot.ini error, but XP DID boot up. (WOOHOO!)

I restarted the Recovery Console from the disk and typed c:/boot.ini. I got a 'The command is not recognized' error. Do I need to rewrite the boot.ini file?

 

Since windows booted do this

START => RUN

msconfig

OK

Tell me what your BOOT.INI has in it.

 

There is no Boot.ini. Only System.ini and Win.ini tabs. Are one of these the boot.ini?

 

I need to know how many partitions you have on your HDD. Some PC makers place a Hidden Partion on the HDD, HP mostly. The reason is, it effects what partition your boot.ini points to, and what I am going to tell you next.

 

i never had to do nor do i know if it is safe but cant you just make one?

 

did you encrypt C: ?

 

apparently ntldr is finding a boot.ini file somewhere because i thought a computer couldn't boot to windows without one.

 

i read a little more about it and i think it will load windows from first partition by default if you dont have one.

and i think it is safe to make one because i jsut did it on my computer and it worked fine.

 

If I recall correctly, I have two partitions. I reinstalled XP a while ago and did not change any of the setup parameters. It did a format, then reinstalled the OS. I have a DELL.

How do I tell how many partitions I have?

 

I'm not sure where to look. It's not in the root C: directory.

 

Ok, I just did a search of the HD for boot.ini and it found one, but it's encrypted. The file appears as 'boot.ini.wpg' (.wpg is the WinGuard extension that files have after they are encrypted). So apparently, WinGuard DID encrypt C:, something I sure didn't tell it to do!

So how do I unencrypt all the files safely and remove WinGuard without doing any damage?

 

I checked the Disk Manager and it appears as though I have only one partition. Is this good or bad?

 

it doesnt decrypt when you click decrypt?

 

remember to put the password you used to encrypt it or else it wont decrypt

 

Decrypting the files is what started this whole thing in the first place. I used the correct passwords and it started to work, but then it crashed. Part of the blue bar across the top of the program window remained on the screen, but it obvious had stopped working (the error message, whatever it was, tipped me off).

I rebooted the machine, but I got the "NTLDR is missing" error over and over again. Shadow_Puter_Dude has been a big help in getting my system up and running (thanks Shadow). Read the thread history for details.

Now that XP is running again, I want to get rid of WinGuard, although I'm a little concerned that it might do damage in the process (like removing a cancerous tumor from the brain).

Do I have to use WinGuard to decrypt the files or can I use another program that has a better track record? I don't mean to slam WinGuard, but this little fiascoe has cost me a full days work, time I don't have to waste.

 

Jay, since it looks like you only have one partition, just copy the boot.ini from your install CD to C:\. Should take care of the boot.ini error message. And yes windows by default boots the first partition of the HDD.

If WinGuard encrypted it, you need WinGuard to dycrypt the file. But we won't need to.

By the way 1 partition is ok.

This is a decent program for encrypting files AxCrypt

 

A lot of the files on my HD are still encrypted, so I absulutely have to use WinGuard? (I will get AxCrypt though. Thanks.)

 

Ouch, let me know how it works out. I will look into how to uninstall WinGuard so it will dycrypt everything it encrypted.

 

The default password after installation for WinGuard is LETMEIN.

When you uninstall WinGuard make sure you exit the software using the tray icon before uninstall. If you did not exit first, you may need to reinstall, exit, then uninstall again to complete the process

 

Unbelieveable. So I'm trying to decrypt the encrypted files, but WinGuard won't accept the password. Both the one that I assigned and the default passwords will not decrypt the files. It actually does the decrypting, but then gives me an error that says the password MAY be incorrect and erases the decrypted file.

The author finally got back to me, 24 hours later (because he's in England) and said that I must have encrypted my entire HD. Why I would do this, I have no idea.

Here's what the WGSoft website (http://www.winguardpro.com/features.html) says about WinGuard under features:

*Online help: Get help fast using the online help feature.
-> Yeah, right. Trust me, it isn't there.

*It's easy to use: It will not bite! It is very easy to use, and looks nice too.
-> Oh yeah! I have the teeth marks to prove it.

*24 hour technical support: You can also email us for help, and our friendly staff will get back to you promptly.
-> If you mean, 'it takes us 24 hours to return your email', ok then.

*It's free: WinGuard Pro 2005 is as it states FREE! There is no time limits, or restrictions in the free version what so ever.
-> One wasted day later, I could have purchased a library of software with the money I've lost.

 

I'm trying to decrypt the encrypted files and I keep getting a, "CRC Error! Possible wrong password." I know that I'm using the correct password, so I'm not sure what else to try.

How do I get these files decrypted?!?!

 

Sorry Jay, but I don't know what could decrypt the files for you. You might just be stuck working with their support for help on that issue.

Know its got to be real frustrating.

 

It really is. Thanks for all your help, Shadow.