NTLDR Missing

[Zenoth]

I've searched the web about that problem, and now I do understand it a lot more.

I found that web-site, talking about the issue in question: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

So, here is what I tried a few minutes ago ...

1. Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
6. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

Ok, I reached step #6 without problems, but then step #6 itself couldn't complete because each time I tried to copy any of the two files it gave me a "Access Denied" message. As far as passwords is concerned, there is none. I am indeed the Admin of the only Session I have active on this partition (C:\). And since there is no password, I left the password area blank, which worked, since after that I could actually type the command lines for the actual copy prodecure.

Now, I'd like to know something ... I do have the original Windows XP CD-Rom, which contains the required files in its i386 folder.

Would it be safe to simply copy and paste those two files from the CD-Rom to the root directory ? Would it end up in the same result as if I would have done it via a command prompt after POST ?

 

[letdown427]

You could try going back to stock speeds and watch the problem disappear. (Probably)

As for your actual question, I don't know, sorry.

 

[kd7fhd]

"Access Denied" message

sounds like it's write protected. try this old DOS command on it:

c:\attrib -r <filename>

if that fixes it don't forget to write protect it when you are done. from the c:\ prompt:

attrib +r <filename>

 

[dball3]

i just came across this article and I would like to see someone use it, and report back if it works as easily as it looks, here's the link http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=313

 

[Zenoth]

Erm, guys, thanks a lot (honestly) for your help.

But ... I fixed it, and it was quite stupid to say the least.

In MY case, it was simply caused by the fact that by reseting the CMOS, everything went back to default in terms of BIOS settings, right ?

Well ... I just forgot to re-configure my BOOT sequence (I.E, telling the BIOS to use the Master HDD first when it comes to Hard-Disk used to boot up first, and not actually the Slave HDD). Because by default, my Slave HDD was the first "Hard-Disk" device to be used for the BOOT sequence ... and obviously my Windows partition is on my Master HDD, so all I had to do was to set the Master HDD to be the first HDD to be used as the "Hard-Disk". And voila, problem solved.

I know it can be more complex for others, but in my case it was just a mere BIOS setting miss-configuration.