NTLDR is missing

[jp7]

My Dell laptop w/Windows XP won't boot. When I turn it on, I get a black background window with a blue background stripe with dell.com at the top. The following is displayed: " Loading PBR 2...done", "NTLDR is missing", "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart".

I changed the bios to boot from the CD drive and loaded the Windows OS backup CD (I copied the OS on this CD when I first purchased the laptop 3 years ago). "Press any key to boot from CD...". Once I do that nothing happens.

I separately downloaded WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU, copied on a CD and tried to load that. No luck either.

Help is greatly appreciated.

-- JP7

[Funkstar]

You can't just boot from a CD that has SP2 copied onto it or a direct copy of a windows drive. To boot from a CD they need to be created in a specific way with specifit files on them to actually boot.

Do you have the Dell restore disks that came with your PC? One of them will be the Windows installation disk (i think it's purple if i remember right). Start the installation with that and there should be an option to repair the boot sector which is what you need. This should leave your install intact.

What happened to cause this in the first place? If you are having hardware problems this probably won't sort it out.

[dshepsman]

is there a floppy disk in the disk drive?

this has been known to cause the same error...

[directhex]

NTLDR is the Windows NT (2000, XP) boot loader. It's split into two pieces - the first piece lives in the first few bytes of your hard disk, and its job is simply to load the second piece (since 512 bytes isn't enough space for an entire boot loader these days, so it stores the rather larger second piece on a FAT32/NTFS partition). The second piece's job is to load Windows (offering a menu if required).

You get the message you cite if the second piece is missing - the boot sector part is there (since it knows about NTLDR), but it can't actually find its fat twin (hence "NTLDR is missing)

Question is, what happened to NTLDR? It should be about 250k, and live on the root of your first NTFS/FAT32 partition

[jp7]

Thank you all for your help and prompt response.
I do not have Dell restore disks. They didn't come with the laptop. Rather, a piece a paper in the shape of a CD with blue colour indicates that "Dell PC Restore" returns the computer to its original operating state and to look into the owner's manual in the machine (which I can't access). It also suggests to go to dell support online to learn more about obtaining a copy of the operating system CD or drivers.

I'll let you know how I get on.

JP7

[Funkstar]

Ah, i think the disk images are on your laptop and you were meant to create the CDs after you got the system.

Actually, any Windows XP disk should let you repair the boot sector and boot loader. A full repair install is another matter, but if it came to that, you would be better with a clean install anyway.

[GoNz0]

ask around your mates for a cd, then google how to run a chkdsk

[jp7]

I can restore the laptop to factory settings by typing Ctrl F11 on start up and proceeding to the restore page. However, by doing so, I would be losing all data and files currently stored in the hard disk.

Does anyone know how to access/download data stored in a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop to another computer, given that the laptop fails to load Windows XP?

Thank you,

JP7

[jp7]

Funkstar - When I first got the laptop I made a copy of Windows Operating System Backup. Nothing happens when I try to boot the system from that CD. I also took a copy of a Windows XP CD I have for another machine and nothing happens there either.

[GoNz0]

http://www.brothersoft.com/xp-recove...oad-41097.html

that should let u make a bootable cd that will run the chkdsk command

[jp7]

GonZ0 - I downloaded the file onto a blank CD using my desktop. Loaded the CD on the laptop and set the BIOS to run from the CD. No joy.

[GoNz0]

whats the file name ?

it will be an image that needs burning and not just copying to the cd

[Agent]

I can restore the laptop to factory settings by typing Ctrl F11 on start up and proceeding to the restore page. However, by doing so, I would be losing all data and files currently stored in the hard disk.

Does anyone know how to access/download data stored in a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop to another computer, given that the laptop fails to load Windows XP?

Thank you,

JP7

By far the easiest way is to take the disk out and hook it up to a working PC and then copy everything needed off it.

[jp7]

GoNz0 - The file name is Pareto_DR_Setup_RW. If wrote it on the CD.

Agent - I'll see how I can take out the hard disk.

Thank you

[GoNz0]

i think u will find thats an exe file, run it and see if it has instructions.

[digit]

"NTLDR is missing", "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart".

http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm

The above link describes what sounds like an excellent method of fixing your problem. I'd test this right now at work for you but I don't have a floppy disc or pen drive handy.

Personally though I'd just repair the installation via a known working xp setup cd. You could borrow this from a friend or family member.

Agent - I'll see how I can take out the hard disk.

As for removing your hard drive from your laptop it should be under a flap held in place with a screw or two. Certainly is the case for my Dell D600, and a number of other laptaps I've seen as well.