Hi Peoples,

So, i had a computer given to me that was reporting:
NTLDR Is Missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.

First thought was to run a windows repair install (works 99% of the time), however when i booted off of the windows CD, the option wasn't present.

Here are the instructions i came up with the fix the problem (and, it actually took a LOT less time than a repair / re-install.)

Here we go:

To fix NTLDR is missing error:

Boot from your Windows XP Install CD.
At the first screen, you have the option to install windows XP, or Load the Recovery Console.
Choose to load the recovery console.

Choose your windows installation (most people will only have 1) and then input your administrator password (this is the password that you setup for the default administrator account when windows was installed, if you do on know this password.. well, i may post a topic on resetting windows passwords later)

Then:

Issue the following commands: (where E: is your CD rom drive with your Windows XP Install CD)

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\ie86\ntdetect.com c:\
cd \
attrib -c ntldr
attrib +r +h ntldr
attrib +r +h ntdetect.com
bootcfg /add
exit

Bootcfg /add will produce 3 prompts.
The first one is for the windows installation you wish to add
The second a Name by which to identify the installation
The third is for Boot options, this can be left blank, however the default is /fastdetect

You should now be able to boot into Windows. Or at least that was the case with me.


Ill explain what each step does: (first the command, then its function underneath it)

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
^ This copies a new ntldr file from the CD
copy e:\ie86\ntdetect.com c:\
^ This copies a new ntdetect.com file from the CD
cd \
^ Changes back to the C: directory
attrib -c ntldr
^ removes the compressed attribute from the ntldr file, thus allowing it to be used by windows
attrib +r +h ntldr
attrib +r +h ntdetect.com
^^ These two lines change the attributes to Read only and Hidden for the files (helps keep them protected)
bootcfg /rebuild
^ scans for boot sectors, and re-builds the boot.ini file (This step may not be needed, you can try restarting first, and if it doesn't work, come back and just perform this step)
exit
^ Tells the computer to restart, now is a good time to remove the windows XP CD


Thats about all i learned today, seeing as this is a pretty common error, i hope it is found and helps some people out.
Any questions, just ask, also remember that this is not the definitive guide to fixing the problem. Yours may differ slightly.

Cheers
/tAK

*EDIT*
added in two extra lines which will fix up the attributes of the files, to the way they should be.

arghh yes the famous you've been slapped message. Almost as good as the blue screen of death.

I normally google the instructions when i forget the extact commands, but I know where to come for step by step guide now.

Cheers once again tAk.

Yeah, i went through 4 or 5 decent sites just getting that lot together, No one site had it all.
Even the Microsoft Knowledge base wasn't a lot of help.

Still, my recommendation to anyone whom this happens to, is to eventually back everything up, and re-install windows.

Pc fix tutorial Section?,,,, anyone

Actually, it would be a nice idea to do something like that.