Trying to boot from usb disk - NTLDR is missing

[Paulreg]

I have an IDE disk with a triple boot build (2 x XP Pro and 1 x win98). It boots fine when loaded into the laptop.
When I try and boot from it mounted in an external USB case however, I get NTLDR is missing.
The laptop boots OK off my USB memory stick so I'm at a loss as to why it won't boot from the disk.
I have also tried another disk with a single standard XP Pro build and that won't boot via USB either !
Help !

 

[linney]

What is the order of booting in the Bios?

What file System, is it FAT32?

Is the Boot.ini file pointing to the correct locations as the hard drives are swapped around?

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses (Q291980)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q291/9/80.asp

HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP(Q305595)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q314/0/79.asp

NTLDR is Missing.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm

How to fix: NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart

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

"NTLDR Is Missing" Error Message When You Upgrade or Install Over Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (Q255220)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255220

 

[BadBigBen]

See also:

Guide for MultiBoot USB-stick with boot.ini Menu

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=20089

automated method

http://www.usboot.org/tiki-index.php

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Paulreg]

The boot order is
CD/DVD
IDE Disk
USB
PXE

There are 3 partitions on the USB disk 2 x NTFS, 1 x FAT32
(Although I get the same result with a single NTFS partition disk)

I have tried editing boot.ini so the entries are rdisk 1 but this made no difference.
bootcfg /rebuild said the disk was corrupt.

I can get my USB stick to boot no problem.

Thanks
Paulreg

 

[linney]

bootcfg /rebuild said the disk was corrupt". Can you run ChkDsk /r or ScanDisk on the drive referred to as corrupt?
Might help if you post a copy of your Boot.ini file, and tell us the actual location of the booting files, Boot.ini, NtDetect.com, NtLdr, and Bootsect.dos.


A little bit of information on the Rdisk Parameter can be found here in an outline of the whole boot process.

Under The Hood: Part 5

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cach...a=597+sourcemagazine+rdisk&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1

Default Drive Letters and Partitions in Windows NT

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q93373/

The Purpose of the Boot.ini File in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314081

What happens if you change the booting order to place USB ahead of the IDE Disk?


A recommended free boot manager, might help you.

http://www.boot-us.com