How to Fix “NTLDR is Missing” Computer Errors
December 28th, 2005“NTLDR is Missing : Press any Key to Restart” – this is the first message I got on my computer screen when I turned it on… and NTLDR Missing errors werer not as uncommon as I thought it was! Here is my experience troubleshooting NTLDR Missing errors on my computer…
What is NTLDR?
NTLDR is short for NT loader – a program loaded from the hard drive boot sector that displays the Microsoft Windows NT startup menu and helps Microsoft Windows NT load. So when it goes missing for some reason, your windows cannot load. I use Windows XP on a Pentium 4 PC. Though it seemed common on a routine google search, it was not so easy to fix and many forums reported that formatting hard drive was the last solution eventually.
Causes and fixes of NTLDR is Missing
Firstly I started with Microsoft Support to get an official reason for the computer error and they have the causes to it-
SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Microsoft Windows XP or upgrade to Windows XP on a computer that runs Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition, you may receive the following error message after the first restart during the installation:
NTLDR is missing
Press any key to restartCAUSE
This problem may occur if your existing Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition installation was cloned and then applied to a drive that has a different geometry from that of the source drive of the cloned copy.RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, correct the Heads (sides) value in the FAT32 BPB so the Windows XP startup can continue. To update the value, rewrite the Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition startup code.
But the problem was that I had an original preinstalled Windows XP on my branded PC, and there was no attempt to “try to install Microsoft Windows XP or upgrade to Windows XP on a computer that runs Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition”. So I went looking for alternative sources of help.
I can across a site NTLDRmissing.com – a problem common enough to deserve its own domain name, of course it redirects to another site. It helps you make a NTLDR boot disk to get back into Windows and Use windows to fix the boot files on the hard drive. And this is why the problem occured in the first place they say
“When your computer starts, the BIOS attempts to find the primary hard drive’s active partition to read the first sector for the MBR (Master Boot Record), it uses that info to load the rest of the OS. For Windows NT4/2k/XP the NTLDR (New Technology Loader) takes it from there. If you get the “NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart” what’s most likely going on is the BIOS either didn’t look for the right drive, didn’t find the right partition, it wasn’t active, didn’t find the MBR, or the MBR didn’t list NTLDR in the right place, or the location of NTLDR changed.”
ComputerHope has another excellent article enlisting the causes for these errors and tutorials on how to fix them too.
Cause:
1. Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.
2. Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS.
3. Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file.
4. Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file.
5. Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using FAT32.
6. New hard disk drive being added.
7. Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.
8. Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
9. Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable.
How we fixed NTLDR Missing on Our Computer
We tried several of the possible soultions, but none worked well. Finally what worked was that since NTLDR was missing, we decided to substitute the NTLDR file in the right place. Since we had access to another computer, we copied the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM which was available from the recovery CD which comes with computer. If you do not have the recovery CD, they were available from the site mentioned above or is available from another computer using the same Operating System (Windows XP in our case). The location was C:\i386\ntldr C:\i386\ntdetect.com
We then used a bootable disc to restart the computer (the Win XP bootable CD did not work, a Win 98 bootable CD worked). After entering MS DOS mode, these 2 files were copied to the C drive in the proper location. After restart, then pressing F10 on start up (used for system recovery on my computer), we were able to start the repair of Windows via system recovery (which was not possible earlier). This reinstalled all Windows drivers and system files, while preserving all data on my computer.
Thus, I was saved from formatting my hard drive, learned how to make a bootable disc, learned copying files in MS DOS, how to perform system recovery and remember to keep the original PC system recovery CD safe. So before you end up formatting your hard drive, give these other options a try.
NOTE: This article is for informational purpose only and is just a detail of how I went about fixing my computer for common NTLDR error which can affect your computer too. If you are not an expert in hardware or software computer issues, seek professional support. Unnecessary mishandling the computer hardware of software could make your computer unusable and cause data loss permanently.
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hi guys.. i had the similar problems like very one. My problem occurs quite differently..i didn’t install any new hardware or software. The message “NTLDR is missing” occurs after i knock my computer plug off by accident while i was cleaning my house. I tried many things like putting the boot disk. but it didnt read the boot disk or show the screen for me to choose 1st do this… So i start playing around with the bios boot setup utility. Since i am not a computer guy, i tried to do little stuff that i can to fix it.. anyway i come upon “Hard Disk Drives” which i played around the order of my hard drives in priority sequence. I had 4 hard drives in my computer, so i tried to change the 2nd drive to the 1st drive and then F10 to save and the exit to restart. It might said incorrect OS or SO. i forgot which was it. No big deal, just go back to bios by pressing Delt and change the order around of hard drive sequence. After the second tried, it went into windows. I was so happy and amazed how playing around will fixed my problem. somehow my hard drives sequence change during the accident. And my comp is trying to detect the original hard drives contain windows file as well as NTLDR. Obviously the NTLDR is missing since it wasn’t detecting the correct hard drive. This is just my personal experience. I hope this will help some people which have similar problem as me. I am just glad i don’t have to format my computer because i just had my comp formated 2 months ago.
I’ve been trying to fix it for hours and hours and no luck until i found this excelent software: Ultimate boot CD for windows.
It works!!! Thank’s God for it!
Hello,
I’ve been wondering, why did this problem happen to me. I bought a brand new HDD and i trying to install windows XP on it since i want the new HDD to be my primary. So i go to BIOS and set the boot order to CDROM 1st, Floppy 2nd and HDD 3rd. What happen is the error NTLDR is missing show up. I cant use the floppy boot disk method coz the HDD is completely new.
Im about to try Ronald 2 cent method, but i will wait until that time come. Ive had read at many site. Most of them says that i boot a non-bootable disk, lol. Well, i used the windows XP cd that i used before.
Well, it came up in my mind that maybe my cd were broken, so i tried at another computer, no problem at all. If any other possible way to fix this problem i would gladly appreciate it before i tried to hot-plugged lol.
Regards.
Zack
..i have my systerm running..n then when i added another hard disk (some data in it not os)..the systeme read as ntldr is missig..when i boot the system.. can u help me plz.
After starting the computer it shows the message NTLDR is Missing but my main problem is next as after this message display is going blank and i cant read any instruction. Is there any problem to motherboard? I read several topics about how to solve the problem of NTLDR Missing but not found solution of this type where display is going blank. plz suggest the solution.
Thanks in advance.
Hello guys need help too..i dwnloaded a sofware in cleanin pc..and might have deleted some wndows files..but after cleaning using the software..windows was workn perfectly..but when i restarted my pc..i got ths ntldr missing and cant get my wndows workn..right now am using my mobile phne searchin for ..guys any idea what hapend?o any solutions for this problem?thanx in advance
hi…i need a help…how can i get back my drive D? i dont know what happen…its missing….
Say I was doing a search on NTLDR found this site. I get that error message if I leave a floppy disk inserted and try to start windows. Is this normal?
Even though it says to press any key you still need to remove the floppy disk to start windows.
Hope this helps anyone who may unmistakingly do this. I still would like to know if there is a way to correct or not correct this.
Hello folks,
I get that error each time I want to add a secondary HDD. I DID set the master/slave HDDs properly but still… What’s going on???
Thanks for your help.
Hi guys,
I have a case of “NTLDR is Missing” :) I’m lost. I have an old Hp, running xp(home edition). My pc didn’t come with the xp cd and I don’t have recovery disks. You know the hp story :)
Pressing f8 doesn’t do anything. Pressing f10 takes me to the HP System Recovery system, but if I opt for standard recovery, it takes me back to NTLDR is missing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting this article. for some reason my bios (am using vista) started wanting to boot from a pendrive!!!! you just saved me hours of frustration (i hope, touch wood etc). i really would not have known where to look first had i not read what you wrote. man, you are a hero, a star! BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG THANKS for saving me so much hassle! HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!!
PLEASE HELP ME!
I have the NTLDR is missing!
I have the XP CD (Professinal)
I press r for recovery and this comes up
the recovery console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
type EXIT to quit the recovery console and restart the computer.
The path or file specified is not valid.
What do i do next??
Thanks
Liam
Hey folks,
I say :”Detachment Is The Key To Salvation.”.Believe the Brute-force approach. Just take out your HDD from your comp.Make it a slave of your good friend’s HDD. Perform a low level formatting.Problem solved, all data lost though.Remember, “Detachment Is The Key To Salvation”. Don’t cry for the data.
Much regards,
Vikas Pattar.
hi there, i havent a clue about computers and i have an acer aspire 3630 laptop someone gave me and im gettin NTLDR is missing press any key to restart every time i turn it on, id really like to get it repaired as soon as poss but i wouldnt b able to do it myself. how much would it cost roughly to get it repaired?
any help appreciated. its for my sons xmas
Thankyou
I have a problem trying to format my system, after several power failure, wat i saw on my screen was NTLDR is missing. i tried reformating the system, perfomed ALT CTR DEl it still persisted. eachtime i put a new operating system and press any key,no respone. i want some who could help me restor my system.
I bought a new PC, while istalling xp prop, files not copied 100%( did 74%), then problem came while copying. Thes as per the instruction I went reinstallation, while it restarting it was prompting that “ntldr missing. alt+ctr+del for restart”. I did all BIOS set sequence but it won’t work. HDD not showing in BIOS master/slave.while starting asking for shit +tab. And giving all drives not sufficient to RAID and creat array, but no key is active there.
plz help me to solve this.
Similar to a lot of these posts:
NTLDR missing press Ctrl+Alt+Del msg appears
Put in XP bootable disc, when it gets to Recovery Console I press ‘r’ – msg: No Hard drives found press F3 to exit – I have made the bootable file from NTLDRmissing.com and tried his ten steps – I have seen all of the error msgs listed on the site.
I tried BART PE and can see all of my C and D drive files, and ran Hard disk disgnostics from CMOS – disk drive is fine…
any ideas?
I’m trying to find out out how to fix NTLDR File.
therefore, i will share with u my experience.
I brought new system last week.while installing xp pro,but am switch on my cpu then put my os cd but NTLDR missing error is coming my pc.so pls how s this error slove.
I recovered all my data from an inaccessible disk to chkdsk, fixmbr or fixboot with the free testdisk from sourceforge, win version, PC option.
I’ve the same problem.. calling for help.
Tried all methods already. My question is:- if i format the d drive and installed win xp to d only, but my c drive is where the bios is, can i format it too to combine the 2 c and d?
pls help..
Hi all, finally is window xp started :)
i get rid of all the partition and combine them to 1
now can load everything well….
thks to all….bye
i also have the same problem. but i cant get to the ms-dos. i input my password and it says its not valid. i dont know if there is another password for administrator.i need an information so as to log on to my c:\>.tnks
hi segun,
u got to run window xp cd agn to go to dos promp.
how? when window xp setup, it will ask u to ‘Enter’ for installation or press ‘R’ for the repair console. Use this repair. Try it.
as for password u hv to confirm..
I’m getting the error of “NTLDR missing” press ctrl+alt+del to restart.
I tried the following steps
1. insert windows xp cd
2. both your computer with windows xp cd
3. in the installation menu choose (R) for repair consol
4. now enter your windows drive like 1, 2, 3, 4
5. enter your administrator password if dont have then leave it blank
6. go to cd room drive
7. now type copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
but still did not overcome the problem pleaseeeeee hel me out
I tried the following steps
1. insert windows xp cd into your computer
3. in the installation menu choose (R) for repair consol
4. now enter your windows drive like 1, 2, 3, 4
5. enter your administrator password if dont have then leave it blank (press enter)
6. go to cd room drive
7. now type copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\
8. then type copy d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
after this I just decided to reinstall all of windows xp
Thanks Jak for this info is worked wonders!
Anita
Hi Jak,
i use the above method on 08/02/09 it works.
in your installation of window xp they require you to do partition right?
pls dun have too many partition, delete all and create into 1. it will work.
provided u keep all ur previous driver k… cos now i’m experiencing sound driver missing…
Hii Jak,
i m agree with u
i have done all the as u done
but i could not get any thing
i cant solve this error plz help me out.
I had the same problem and the boot disk cable was not inserted all the way. I pushed it in all the way, and it booted just fine. Try that.
BIG THX to all guys…
my problem solved.
so do not cry if ntldr is missing… hehehe
cheer
enang from bandung. indonesia
Phew: I read all the comments. (I fixed my problem. It may apply to you.) Nothing worked. We work with kids and I was trying to reinstall xp on a messed up drive. So we wiped the hd drive clean. Then, when trying to get xp installed from the cd set up disk, it would not boot giving the ‘ntldr’ message. You cant add files if you cannot boot. I gave up and decided we could not fix it, but I happened to leave the pc on with the disc in the drive and when I returned more than ahour later, it appeared to have started to boot. And then it did load windows without any drivers exept usb. The motherboard was an asus a7n266vm. Without a lan driver and no interent we got the drivers on a diffrent machine from asus and installed them which then required a reboot and (naturally) the machine hung before booting at the same place but without the message. I cleaned the xp cd and put it back in the drive and tried again. It booted from the hard drived. (this is this case for this machine) With the drivers installed I went to the internet and to MS support and found voluminous info on the ntldr problem. Explaining ‘how and why’ which may help those of you still trying to tackle the problem. Good luck. Phew! P.S.
I did a search for the ntldr file and the result said no files present. So I copied the file from our working machine (its in the 1386 folder). When I copied it to the c: drive it asked, (No kidding)did I want to override the existing file?
my computer does not start it says ntldr is missing pliz help me to start my computer