ntldr missing on boot

[marv515]

When I start my Win2000 I get an error msg saying that the ntldr file is missing. I've tried reinstalling Windows 2000 under C:\WINNT2 but of course, all my profiles and installed programmes are missing. What are my options here? Replace the ntldr file in WINNT? Since I've reinstalled it under the WINNT2 directory, its booting up from there. How can I change it back to WINNT so I get all my programmes back? Thanks everyone in advance for all your help!

Marv

 

[ricpinto]

Next time format a diskette and copy from c:\ ntldr, ntdetect.com, boot.ini from another pc with the same hardware configuration. Boot from the diskette, windows will start just like b4 and copy back the ntldr from a:\ to c:\.

Now:
I haven't done this b4 but basically you have to edit boot.ini and change winnt2 to winnt.

Hope it will work.

 

[wolluf]

marv515 - don't you get a choice (2k twice) when you boot? (old system should be second). Boot.ini should look like this:-

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT2
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT2="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

You obviously have all boot sector files (ntldr, ntdetect.com, boot.ini) in root of C:, and boot sector iteslf must be ok - second installation is working. So, hopefully old installation will now boot (you could have tried using the fixboot command from recovery console to fix this in the first place - assuming all boot sector files in place -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229716

 

[VerbalKint04]

wolluf is on the right track. The "ntldr is missing" is most likely a misconfigured boot.ini. When you boot up into your second install (winnt2) browse down to the root of C: and look at the boot.ini file. If you want to edit it, you will need to change the file restrictions first. Also, check to make sure that the two ntldr files on your system match (winnt compared to winnt2.) If the one on the winnt2 system is different from the winnt system, copy it to the old system...

Good luck!

OUT.

 

[wolluf]

VerbalKint04 - there is only one ntldr - there's only one partition, and its in the root of it (the 2 installations are just in different folders, not different partitions) - they both use the same boot sector.

 

[robFSS]

I have had this problem before

there is a quick and easy fix

boot your computer with a win95, or win98 startup disk in the floppy drive.

at the command prompt, type sys c:

reboot and try the upgrade again.

there is a bunch more stuff you can try if that doesn't work, but i can't type it all in now.

you can find the details on the microsoft site knowledge base by searching ntldr

 

[VerbalKint04]

Wolluf--

My apologies. Early morning posts don't always agree with me. Sorry for any misinformation!

 

[ricpinto]

Orlotron:

I think that will only works for Win9x and FAT. Win9X got no ntldr. Maybe you thought Marv515 OS is Win9x.

Marv515:

I agree with Wolluf, your boot.ini should look like below.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT2
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT2="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect
--------------------------------------

Now I'm afraid you did the re-installation wrongly, how did you do it, I mean the re-installation.