Re-Installing Win. XP

Hi, My friend is trying to install windows XP from discs.
She gets thru the 1st of 6 discs, but half way thru the 2nd one it stops and says it can't find NTLDR. Then shuts down. Does anyone know what this is or how to fix it?
Chuck.

 

NTLDR error messages are often caused by loose or malfunctioning IDE cables.
Open your computer's case and ensure that the cable that connects the hard drive to the motherboard is firmly in place. If this does not resolve the issue, try replacing the cable.

 

Thank you. I'll make sure she trys what you've recommended.
Thanks again,
chuck.

 

Let us know what happens.
NTLDR is what is called a boot loader in XP.
The loose or damaged cables is just the most likely cause of this problem.

 

NTLDR errors can be caused by faulty hard drives also. But from the sounds of it, you're using the set of 6 install floppy discs to try to install XP. This is great, but 6 floppy disks equals a total of 8.64mb. Now, obviously this is nowehere near enough data to completely install an operating system. Even Windows 3.1 was like 14 floppy disks. Lets say the data on your 6 floppies is highly compressed. Let's say it's a 500% compression (which is unheard of). Each floppy would then hold 7.2mb of uncompressed data, for a total of 43.2mb. Still not even close to Windows XP which is about 550mb on a CD. What you have is the setup floppies which can be downloaded for free from Microsoft but they will NOT install a complete OS. They are to be used when a CD drive won't boot, but will read, so you still need the Windows XP install CD. No way would Microsoft let people download a free Windows XP anyway, even if it did fit on the 6 floppies. Anyway- I think the reason you are getting the error would be because the PC is rebooting and is probably trying to boot from the floppy drive. Either make sure that no disk is in the floppy drive, or change the boot order to boot to the hard drive first. It could also be a faulty floppy disk. They tend to degrade; even if they're new but sat on a store shelf for a couple years, the integrity of the magnetic storage inside has possibly degraded and may not be suitable for holding data.

 

Didn't see anywhere in either of his two posts that she was trying to install it from floppys. Although, I can't think of any reason why it would be broken down onto 6 cd's either.

meh

 

There may be a readme on the first floppy with detailed instructions on how to use the disk set.