Boot-up refused on desktop.

cli70488 · 29-01-2012, 09:18

When powering my Packard Bell I get the message "NTLDR is missing and then press Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart". the result is completely blank and nothing works

My supplier. with whom I have a maintenance Contract,informs me that they are unable to repair and that they can only replace the XP by purchasing and fitting Windows 7 at a cost of over £110.

I do not have a Recovery Disk for the XP as they did not supply any disks to me when I purchased the Computer from them. about 4 years ago, and being an aged novice I did not do any back-ups.

I see that one can purchase Recovery Disks on Ebay does anyone know if one of these might get the required Boot-up.

Any help much appreciated.

gba93 · 29-01-2012, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by cli70488

When powering my Packard Bell I get the message "NTLDR is missing and then press Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart". the result is completely blank and nothing works

My supplier. with whom I have a maintenance Contract,informs me that they are unable to repair and that they can only replace the XP by purchasing and fitting Windows 7 at a cost of over £110.

I do not have a Recovery Disk for the XP as they did not supply any disks to me when I purchased the Computer from them. about 4 years ago, and being an aged novice I did not do any back-ups.

I see that one can purchase Recovery Disks on Ebay does anyone know if one of these might get the required Boot-up.

Any help much appreciated.

Having had this problem many times in the past I'm afraid reinstalling windows is the only real option so you need to get a copy as cheaply as possible - not sure about the Recovery Disks but if they are for your specific machine (and not too dear) they should be worth a try.

Halcyon · 29-01-2012, 09:46

You can try this work around. It has worked for me in the past:

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

Another thing to do if you do decide to re-install Windows is first backup your hard drive using a USB to SATA converter. There are planety of cheap ones on ebay. Atleast you will get your files back.

**Kymmy** · 29-01-2012, 09:57

A recovery disk will remove your existing files/programs.. where as Halcyon's link if you feel upto doing it may solve your issues..

Do you have a friend who can borrow you the disc? (any XP version should do) All you need is the 1st repair option and you won't be contravening any licensing conditions (you won't have to even put in your key)

cli70488 · 29-01-2012, 10:17

GBA93--Many thanks for your reply, your experience confirms the fact that the problem is not simple and is permanent. Recovery disks cost is less than £10 so may be tempted.

---------- Post added at 10:17 ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 ----------

Halcyon & Kymmy, thankyou both for the advice and I will try the link. I shall ask a few friends if I can borrow an XP disk, and if so then try the 1st repair option

gba93 · 29-01-2012, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by cli70488

GBA93--Many thanks for your reply, your experience confirms the fact that the problem is not simple and is permanent. Recovery disks cost is less than £10 so may be tempted.

At that price it's well worth it - give it a go and let us know how you get on

heero_yuy · 29-01-2012, 12:46

You can download a 6 floppy (or CD) disk set from Microsoft that include the recovery console. It has options for recovering corrupt boot sectors, NTLDR etc. Might be worth a try. I used it when porting an installed copy of XP to a larger HDD without the original install CD.

Console instructions here

Official XP boot disks that include the console here

NTLDR is like the old io.sys from DOS, it has to be in the correct physical location on the HDD or the boot loader can't find it.

HTH

bigal2012 · 29-01-2012, 14:17

Try down loading Linux Mint, then burn the iso, boot from it & re claim your files.

**Rob** · 29-01-2012, 14:37

Of course there is a question as to why the windows boot porcess can't find the file and whether that is indiciative of a some other failure in the hardware

budwieser · 29-01-2012, 15:06

Surely the repair re-install otion is the way to go first?

**Hugh** · 29-01-2012, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigal2012

Try down loading Linux Mint, then burn the iso, boot from it & re claim your files.

This may be a step too far for the OP, as they state in the first post

Quote:

being an aged novice

bigal2012 · 29-01-2012, 15:18

I understand, but get some one else to help them. As their data is priceless to themselves.

heero_yuy · 29-01-2012, 15:28

The recovery console allows data to be copied from the harddrive even if it cannot boot the OS. IIRC it also supports USB so the files could be copied to a data stick

**Kymmy** · 29-01-2012, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

Surely the repair re-install otion is the way to go first?

Not for his type of install as he'd have to match the XP version.. If it's only an NTLDR issue then the fixboot option should be fine in the repair console

budwieser · 29-01-2012, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Not for his type of install as he'd have to match the XP version.. If it's only an NTLDR issue then the fixboot option should be fine in the repair console

True i suppose.