Hi, I've been getting 'NTLDR is missing' when trying to install XP on a pc, with the original hard drive (clean install, AND later with a new hard driver.) All the articals I can find assume the HD already has an operating system inside with which to repair this error. But mines is a clean/formatted hard drive! I have read possibly memory problems could cause this, but alas, i have put the hard drive into a working pc, yet again, I get the same error. Even stranger, is the fact that when I put a known working hard driver into the pc with the original probelm I get the same message! So, to my logic, it cant be the hard drive nor the memory, unless I'm missing something. To complicate matters, I have tried two copys of XP on both disks and both pcs with the same results. So its not the OS either right? Anyone got an opinion on this? is this error wanting from me?? Any help would be a fricken miracle to be honest. Vince Sorry if this is overly complex, but i am wracking my brain trying to work out this nonsense....

- install the HDD in the PC that you intend to keep it in - boot off a WinME boot floppy & select minimal boot - run FDISK from the A:\> prompt & delete all Partitions - go back to the A:\> prompt & run FDISK /MBR to clear the master boot record - boot off the WinXP CD & install XP "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

{I have tried two copys of XP} are they copies of XP or from Microsoft ? {But mines is a clean/formatted hard drive!} If it had XP on it before that would be normal trying to boot from the hdd. Be sure you are booting from the CD , (watch the display , you will have a limited time to press any key to boot from cd.), you may have to change the boot order in the bios and have the CD before the hdd. Be sure that there is no floppy in drive (if there is one). {Even stranger, is the fact that when I put a known working hard driver into the pc with the original probelm I get the same message!} XP from one comp , put into a different one will likely not boot but did not remember it being a NTLDR error.

Hi lads, thanks for the replies. Jam: I couldnt try your suggestion but it does sound good mate. Firstly, I have the HD in the pc it will stay in and it is recognised (so thats it installed? i aint sure). Secondly, I dont have a WinME boot floppy :( TopFarmer: yeah mate, genuine xps. It does appear the hd is recognised, and the XP setup process goes fine. After i delete the partition and format the hd (through XP setup) just before it goes onto load the XP files i get 'setup unable to verify driver c:' 'press enter to continue' When i hit enter the install process starts, but it cannont load some files, so it ends up a waste of time. I read this on the microsoft site: CAUSE This problem may occur for one of the following reasons: • The motherboard of your computer may not be compatible with Windows XP. • The BIOS of your computer may not be compatible with Windows XP. • The hard disk you are installing to may be damaged. • The Windows XP Setup CD may be damaged. These all seem wrong, because the motherboard HAD xp before running fine and it was the same bio previously running xp. Ive tried 2 harddrives with same results, and ive tried 2 genuine xp discs too.... I'm baffled really. Ill try changing the cables, maybe that its the problem :S

Hi lads, thanks for the replies. Jam: I couldnt try your suggestion but it does sound good mate. Firstly, I have the HD in the pc it will stay in and it is recognised (so thats it installed? i aint sure). Secondly, I dont have a WinME boot floppy :( TopFarmer: yeah mate, genuine xps. It does appear the hd is recognised, and the XP setup process goes fine. After i delete the partition and format the hd (through XP setup) just before it goes onto load the XP files i get 'setup unable to verify driver c:' 'press enter to continue' When i hit enter the install process starts, but it cannont load some files, so it ends up a waste of time. I read this on the microsoft site: CAUSE This problem may occur for one of the following reasons: • The motherboard of your computer may not be compatible with Windows XP. • The BIOS of your computer may not be compatible with Windows XP. • The hard disk you are installing to may be damaged. • The Windows XP Setup CD may be damaged. These all seem wrong, because the motherboard HAD xp before running fine and it was the same bio previously running xp. Ive tried 2 harddrives with same results, and ive tried 2 genuine xp discs too.... I'm baffled really. Ill try changing the cables, maybe that its the problem :S

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm & download the file to create a WinME boot floppy. Create the floppy then follow the instructions in response #1 "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Thanks Jam. I dont have a floppy drive no more, but I did manage to make a bootable cd from Super Fdisk program earlier, I reckon I managed to clear the disk entirely with it and also the mbr you mentioned, but still the same error. Do you think its still worthwhile downloading the file you suggested and trying that mate? Thanks