xp help pleeeeeease :(

seretide · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:17

on turning on pc it says "ntldr is missing"
i've tried to use a xp cd and go to windows setup install, but no repair option is available, only the recover console before windows setup,

desperate not to lose all my files on the drive, what can i do?

also can i do a fresh xp install, will this just set up windows and NOT delete ,y files? (but would rather fix the problem, get my files, then re install windows!)

thanks

S

Ricochet J · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:19

I had this problem ages ago. It's strange how you have no repair option as that's the way I fixed mine.

seretide · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:21

well basically once the wondows set up disc has loaded it give me the repair with recover console option, but i was told to use "set up windows" then repair on the next screen, did you use the repair recovery? what did you do? as im trying this right now!

Locke · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:24

Many causes for this error, it may well be that you're trying to boot from something that isn't bootable, for example a USB flash drive.

Try verifying your BIOS boot order and see if that fixes your issue first imo

seretide · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:27

Locke said:
Many causes for this error, it may well be that you're trying to boot from something that isn't bootable, for example a USB flash drive.

Try verifying your BIOS boot order and see if that fixes your issue first imo

ok i'll check the boot order page in bios.....

seretide · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:43

hmmm, bios had number one priority drive for boot up as my slave drive!? so windows seems to be loading now ive reset the order, why would it just change like that tho!?

thanks locke for pointing out the obvious btw, i feel a tw"t for not checking it!

Locke · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:46

seretide said:
hmmm, bios had number one priority drive for boot up as my slave drive!? so windows seems to be loading now ive reset the order, why would it just change like that tho!?

thanks locke for pointing out the obvious btw, i feel a tw"t for not checking it!

Hehe you're welcome. I used to have this error quite frequently on one of my older XP machines too. Hmmm maybe your bios was reset somehow? weak battery? I dunno!

seretide · 7 Aug 2010 at 22:51

Locke said:
Hehe you're welcome. I used to have this error quite frequently on one of my older XP machines too. Hmmm maybe your bios was reset somehow? weak battery? I dunno!

lol, who knows, back up, and windows 7 i think !