NTLDR is missing on XP SP3 computer

I was moving some pictures onto a flash drive and soon after that I had trouble opening up my external hard drive. I restarted and got a black screen that indicated that NTLDR is missing, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart. It will not restart. Same screen comes up. I have tried to shut down and restart and the same thing happens. I am writing this on a different home computer.
:confused

 

What if I don't have the bootable CD?

 

professional

 

Where do suggest I borrow one?

 

If I can't find one, what will I need to do?

 

How to Repair Ntdetect.com or NTLDR Missing or Corrupt on Bootup with no Windows CD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5zIzC3G2eU&feature=watch_response

Moderator: if this post is not allowed, please delete.

 

Maybe try unplugging all USB devices before restarting just in case it is an NTLDR quirk rather than true file error.

 

I ordered a reinstallation CD for XP pro SP3. Will I lose anything on the desktop or any folders on the computer?

 

I do have the reinstallation CD for xp pro sp3. What is the best way to find the missing NTLDR. I still have the black screen that indicates that NTLDR is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart. Each time I restart the same message pops up.
Thank you for your assistance.

 

I don't want to get too involved in the repair process because I don't have much luck with it. You are wanting to try Tim's anwer in post #2. It sounds to me that you are not booting off of the CD.

When you first start your computer before the NTLDR missing message are you getting a prompt saying "Press any key to boot from CD"? If so be sure to hit spacebar of other key to begin booting from CD.

If not you will have to change your Boot Order in BIOS. Usually, you would start your computer and immediately and repeatedly hit F2 (if F2 doesn't work try DELete key or F10) key to open BIOS(sometimes called startup) screen. In BIOS you will have to look for Boot Order or similar wording. Then set your boot order to CDROM first and then Hard Drive. [It is probably now set at HD first then CDROM] Instructions for navigating the screens should be available at the bottom of the screen.

Then restart and see if you get the Press any key to boot from CD prompt.

 

I do have the reinstallation CD. I just received it in the mail.

 

I received the xp pro sp3 reinstallation CD. I tried what you said and also followed the You Tube video. The message know on a black screen is NTLDR is compressed Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart. When I restart, the same message comes up. Any ideas to get back up and running. I can't use my printer now. This is frustrating.

 

Hi, sierra.

What have you tried? Were you able to boot from the Windows installation CD and follow Tim's instructions in post #2?

 

Yes, I did try what Tim told me and now the black screen comes up with NTLDR is compressed
Press Crl+Alt+Del to restart. Same thing comes up upon doing this.
Not sure what to do now. It went from missing to compressed.

 

I'm going to let Tim take over. Just for curiosity's sake is this an HP/Compaq computer?

 

Try this:

Enter the Repair routine per TimW's instructions.
Once you get to the command prompt, enter the following:

cd \
attrib -c ntldr
exit

The machine should reboot.

 

It is a Dell computer.

 

Is this after I have copied those files Tim had in his directions and after the CD is removed? Not sure when you want me to type in those commands.

 

Or is it:


cd \ <Enter>
attrib -c c:\ntldr <Enter>
exit <Enter>


[Sorry, my Presario 325 was buried earlier this year, nothing nice to refresh my DOS skills with now ]

 

Ah - good catch, satrow - you may very well be right. Hell, I never had any DOS skills to begin with. :confused

@ sierra: If you've copied the files to the root drive, then I'd imagine the command will work from a normal command prompt.

 

Sierra, you would go through the 1-5 to get to the command prompt.

1. Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.

Then try:

cd \ <Enter>
attrib -c c:\ntldr <Enter>
exit <Enter>