Ntldr

[rwest]

Since I've removed the old partition, created a new one, and formatted the hdd, NTLDR missing tells me what?

This is a friends pc from where I work. So I don't have it here in front of me.

It's a socket A system, with a 2.2 processor and he's only got 256mb of ram. Okay duh, I'm gonna give him some more ram. But that not's gonna create a NTLDR missing message.

Oh it's propietary, Compaq I think, don't rember. I'll get more spec later.

The initial problem was clearly virus's, spyware and everything else. He wasn't protected. So I figured just do a format and reinstall.

He's got an original XP Home edt. disk w/sp2. I set his bios to boot from cd the last time I was there. Got the boot loader message (file is missing or corrupt). So I took his hdd with me, and set it up using my XP disk and pc. I wanted to verify his drive was working. The drive works great and it's a decent match for his system too, 40gig maxtor 7200 rpm ata133. After being formatted, I slaved it, loaded a few files to it and deleted them. No problems. he's now got an empty formatted NT drive.

So he calls and tells me he's still getting the boot loader error. He said he see's the cd and hard drive in bios. And I'm sure he's set to boot to the cd drive first.

He brought the drive and his XP disk to work today. I plan to check his XP disk and see what it does. Maybe his XP disk is toast?

But what next?

[codered6651]

This maybe of help http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320397.

[faulkner132]

http://www.pcdailytips.com/2007/05/1...issing-errors/

[rwest]

Thans for the links.

Well his Xp disk seems fine. I was able to boot it with no problems. I'm gonna go out to his place friday and try it myself.

That link to make your own boot loader disk will be helpful, I'll be taking one of those with me. Dang, I don't think I've ever had this much problem reformatting a stupid hdd.

[erawanprawira]

You might want to check the HD cable first before re-formatted the HD.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by erawanprawira You might want to check the HD cable first before re-formatted the HD.

Not sure if that was the problem or not, but it was a great idea. Anyway, I did take some new cables with me(40 wire-didn't have any extra 80's on hand) and installed them before trying it myself. No problems. It may have been something he was missing or it may have been the cables. But the format was neccessary, he was so badly infected! I've never seen a 2gig processor run that slow.

Thanks for the help folks. Now all we gotta do is find some drivers for his sound to work. Propietary stuff, you know. Probably will just end up installing a cheapie sound card.