[Silvertip Seas]

Hi guys,

I just reformatted my 20G HD. I have an Intel D845GLLY motherboard with a Pentium 4 processor. When I try to load Windows XP Pro from the installation disk it says "NTLDR is missing", so either it is not on my installation cd, or most likely the files are corrupt. I got my XP Pro from the MSDAA; I am in school to be a Computer Forensic Specialist. So, I got a floppy disk and copied NTLDR, NTDETECT, and boot.ini to it. When I put the floppy in my computer though, it says that it is not bootable. How do I get those (3) files on my computer that has been formatted? Are there other files that I need on my floppy?

Thanks, Silvertip

 

[CoolHandJoe]

Are you sure the computer tries to boot from your CD and not the hard drive? Perhaps try taking a look at the boot order in the bios and setting the CD to first in the order.

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

Yes I have made sure of the boot sequence. I have the CD 1st, Removable TDK 2nd, and the HD 3rd. Floppy disk is enabled.

Thanks, Silvertip : )

 

[CoolHandJoe]

I just find it weird that ntldr isn't on the install CD. I would tend to think that either the CD is damaged or perhaps the CD drive is malfunctioning. Can you boot other stuff like the ultimate boot cd --> http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ ?

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

This secondary computer that I'm using to communicate with you only has win98 and doesn't have a cd burner, so I'm not sure about the ultimate boot cd...I just don't know where I can download a bootable floppy.

 

[CoolHandJoe]

Ok, how about this --> http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_Disk_NT2K_d518.html

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

I downloaded license, NTF, and read me file to my floppy, and rebooted with it and it said "insert boot media". Sorry, I think I'm more of a moron than I thought. Maybe we could take baby-steps.

I am currently at bootdisk.com, I was told that it is a pretty useful site. If you wouldn't mind going to that site, perhaps we could find what I need and try it.

Thank you for your patience. Silvertip

 

[Silvertip Seas]

I'm kinda lost at majorgeeks.com

 

[CoolHandJoe]

A floppy boot disk won't allow us to test the CD which is what we want to do. Do you have another CD around that you boot to test the CD Drive?

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

I have used the sony cd player before, so I know that it works, and I have used the XP Pro install cd before, so I know that works also. I just got done making a bootable floppy with [email protected] NTFS Reader for DOS v 1.0.1. It was able to boot and now I'm stuck. I'm not sure how to use this program to get NTLDR on my pc.

 

[CoolHandJoe]

If the CD works and the CD drive works then what do you think the problem is? A Windows XP CD comes with everything you need to install to your computer especially ntldr. I know nothing about the boot floppy you're using and what you're trying to do doesn't make sense to me so I can't help you much right now. Lets see if someone else at the forum can give you a hand.

Joe

 

[blues_harp28]

Hi check link.
http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm
You d/load files to a floppy disk on a working Pc.
Worked once for me.

 

[Silvertip Seas]

OK, I created a floppy using that site, and right after it got to the part of 1,2,3,4,5, etc., it said

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

 

[blues_harp28]

Hi try booting from CD.
Press No that corresponds to your installation usally [1]
Type bootcfg/rebuild
When finished remove Cd..type Exit.

 

[CoolHandJoe]

Silvertip Seas is unable to boot using the CD, at least that's been the case thus far. Are you asking Silvertip Seas to boot to the Windows CD or some other CD? Also, remember that there's no installation on the hard drive we're still trying to get the installation routine to start. At least that's how I perceive it.

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

Hi. After making the bootdisk at tinyempire.com, I went through all of the selections, (1-10). BEFORE, when I restarted it would go to the Intel Desktop blue screen for about 30 seconds before continuing, but after the 10th step from that floppy, it just starts with a black screen and a cursor at the top left blinking. So I guess were making progress?? Anyway, when I put the xp pro install disk into the cd rom and restart, it still says:

"Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device"

I noticed that the NTLDR, NTDETECT, and boot.ini files were on that floppy that I made, but did they get copied onto my computer?

Much thanks for your help. Silvertip

 

[CoolHandJoe]

The floppy is supposed to help you fix a broken installation that exists on the hard drive, I would be very surprised if this takes you anywhere.

Joe

 

[Silvertip Seas]

CoolHandJoe, that is absolutely correct.

 

[Silvertip Seas]

Is it probable that the Installation CD that I downloaded from MSDAA has corrupt installation files? If so is there a way to use my key and get another download xp pro from microsoft? I'm at a loss right now....

Thanks, Silvertip

 

[CoolHandJoe]

As long as you have the license I don't think there's a problem with borrowing your friend's copy to install it on your computer but you have to use your license not your friend's. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't depending on the licensing your key is designed for and how the OEM CD works.
Good luck.

Joe