NTLDR questions; please help!

[fallopiano]

Hi all. Just today I had been on the computer for some hours. I turned it off, and then on again, and got an error saying that the NTLDR is missing. I did my research and apparently I need to restore my XP Home Edition with my Windows XP CD. I might have it, but i'm not sure. Is there any way I can download it? Also, is the Windows XP CD the same as the Windows XP Boot CD? Finally, if I do a system restore with my CD, it'll erase all of my files? Are there any ways that I can back up my files (probably hardware specialist)? Sorry for all of the questions, but I tend to freak out when I have to mess with my OS :S also, all I did on my PC was try to get NASM and Cygwin (assemblers) to compile with some C code to get my basic OS to work... although I doubt that had anything todo with my NTLDR problem.

Thanks, Luke.

[Bob_180_Bob]

Hi,
You asked a few questions, so here is some reading to keep you busy:-
It is possible to make a new boot disk to repair your windows, you must have a i386 Directory (Folder) on your Hard Disk
This is essential. Without this, the procedure will not work. To find out whether you can re-create your bootable Windows XP setup disk, look for into your system drive (usually the C: drive), and see if you can find a folder named I386 in the root directory. That is, use the search function on your PC and see if you have the C:\I386 folder on a hard disk.
If your PC or laptop came from the major PC vendors like HP, Dell or Acer, chances are that there is an I386 folder at the root of drive C:, unless you've deleted it.
Note that only c:\i386 contains the files needed for this operation. Do not use the files in "C:\Windows\Driver Cache\i386" or any other folders. If you do not have it on your PC but can borrow a disk with it on you will still be OK.
If you do have this folder on your PC or borrowed, go to this site and see if you can make a new boot disk.
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

Follow the instructions there and if you are lucky, you will be able to make a new disk

When all else fails and before you format your hard drive and start again, you can try and repair windows from your installation disk.
If you follow these instructions you will only repair your windows installation and you will not lose any data you have installed or saved. (EXCEPT:-)
If you have downloaded a service pack and updates and do not have it on your installation disk, you will have to reinstall those upgrades after the repair. You can allow windows to automatically download and install these updates (“Auto updates” turned on) or go to the windows update site and do it yourself by going to the update site.

Note:- This is when you need a slipstreamed installation disk, if you can use a friends PC and make a Slipstreamed copy of your XP OS disk, it will save a lot of time with the repair. (Google “slipstreaming XP SP3”) (Integrate your windows serial number and your PC drivers on the same disk for an unattended installation.)

To Repair Windows XP from your installation CD…..

1. Re-start PC with Windows XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As pc starts press “F12” (for most PCs) for boot options (Or check start up screen for access to your Boot Options.)
3. Press any key when prompted,
4. Scroll to and select “Boot from CD” and press enter.
5. Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, Do not press “R” at this screen.
6. Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R” now! NOTE:- If you select any other option you could lose all the last windows installation and will have to reinstall all your other software again later.
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied
11. When asked to adjust Regional language etc, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. When asked if you want to register this version of windows, Click “No, Not at this time” as it is still registered. And press “Next”
13. Re-boot your PC.
14. If you are still having problems after that, then you will need to think about backing up your data and formatting your drive and doing a fresh install.

Finally, the program UBCD (see my signature) will create a CD to boot you machine and should repair your problem.

Good luck,

[oA9999]

man..you also have my problem before...i suggest you reformat and reinstall it again..^_^

if you dont want..and you want to try some more solutions...
try to read this one...hope it helpsss...^_^
(http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000465.htm)

That's all thank you..^_^

[fallopiano]

Thanks for all of the info! Although I have just a few more questions: if I go with the Boot CD, it will erase all of my files? As apposed to the Instillation CD, which will just restore the operating system but still have all of my files?

[Bob_180_Bob]

Thanks for all of the info! Although I have just a few more questions: if I go with the Boot CD, it will erase all of my files? As apposed to the Instillation CD, which will just restore the operating system but still have all of my files?

Hi,
The boot Cd will do nothing to your files it will only repair problems you direct it to do , remove viruses and do checks of you system. The installation CD will delete all updates to Windows you have downloaded since you installed your copy of Windows. It will just take a lot of downloads and installs to get it back to where it is now. Or you could also look at Slipstreaming your OS CD
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/slipstream-xp-service-pack-3.shtml

Have fun.

[fallopiano]

lol I actually found my boot CD, and one of the options was to make a backup of all my files (im on a eMachines), so all is good! Thanks for your help :D