• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

can't get XP to boot from Sata drive

M

MikeW

Junior Member
Hello,
I have been running XP (home) on a Sata drive for a few months now without a problem. Yesterday one other sata drive disappeared. I unplugged the drive and plugged it back in and it reappeared. After a reboot, I got the dreaded "NTLDR is missing" message. I have not been able to repair the XP installation. I have reformatted and reinstalled using a slipstream disk with SP2. The system will boot if I leave the slipstream disk in the cd-rom. Once I remove it I get the NTLDR missing message again. I've tried everything I know how to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Mike W

E6600 @ 3.6 GHZ
4GB PC6400 DDR2
Abit IP35-E mobo
 
Sounds like a corrupted or damaged boot sector.
Try downloading the manufacturer's disk utilities (all of them have them in some form or another) and see if they can see the problem.
 
CR,
I ran the seagate diagnostics and the drive tested fine. I'm going to try to install XP on my other sata drive and see what happens.
 
jae,
I was able to install that after I got the system to boot with the disk. I've made a little progress. I went into the bios and set them back to fail-safe default, and the system booted without the disk. I'm trying to determine what setting is causing the problem.
 
Blazer,
My mobo doesn't give me that option. I can get XP to install on the sata drive, it's just that it won't boot without the installation disk in the cd-rom. I'm going to reformat and reinstall and play with my bios settings. I'll keep everyone updated on my findings. Thanks for your help.
 
Holden,
I have an Abit IP35-E mobo. It only allows you to enable\disable the Sata controller. Since going back to the default bios settings, I have been able to reinstall XP and it now boots with having to use the disk. I haven't gone back to my overclock yet so only time will tell.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top