Question

Cannot install XP ntldr missing, but WIn 2000 install is fine

Asked by: sgarson1

I have a machine that has an ntldr missing error, so I have been unable to get XP to work.  I did  a clean reformat and reinstall but failed with the same error.  Out of curiousity, I installed Windows 2000 and it installed flawlessly and is very stable.  So I tried to reinstall XP as dual-boot and got the same ntldr error.  I have swapped memory chips and IDE cables to no avail.

I don't understand how Win2000 can work fine but XP will not.

Can anyone explain why this behavior might be occuring?

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Asked On
2008-10-19 at 19:51:16ID23828499
Tags

Microsoft

,

Windows

,

XP Pro

,

NtLdr Missing

,

Install Win 2000 works but not XP

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: PUNKYPosted on 2008-10-19 at 19:54:22ID: 22754889

What make/model of your system?

 

by: sgarson1Posted on 2008-10-19 at 20:07:59ID: 22754919

It's a clone system with AMD 1.66Ghz processor and 1GB Ram and 400GB drive.

 

by: thehidd3nPosted on 2008-10-19 at 20:41:50ID: 22755006

The error can occur due to mother board and CPU as well. Windows xp is a lot more demanding on this hardware hence it errors quicker

 

by: nobusPosted on 2008-10-20 at 00:08:11ID: 22755584

try this :
Boot using the Windows XP installation disk, press R. Then type the following commands:

      FIXMBR
      FIXBOOT
      BOOTCFG /rebuild
      cd\
      copy E:\i386\NTLDR
      ATTRIB -arsh ntldr
      copy e:\i386\NTDETECT.COM
      ATTRIB -arsh ntdetect.com

E: should be the location of your CDRom where you have the Windows install disk located.
and check if those files are in the root :   NTLDR   boot.ini     ntdetect.com

Contents of the boot.ini file :(for single OS)
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

 

by: sgarson1Posted on 2008-10-20 at 09:00:20ID: 31507702

The problem was my graphics card!  I ran a freeware burn-in test that uncovered the graphics card problem.  After removing the card and using the on-board video, everything works perfectly now.  Thats for your input on this.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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