-> Missing NTLDR Installing XP <-

[Nkcowboy]

Ok, I previously had Windows 2000 installed on my computer, and I recently bought windows xp home. I understand that you need windows 98 to install home edition, so I formated the harddrive with 2000 and ran the setup for XP (I used my 98 Cd when it asked for it). Everything went fine, untill I restarted and it said

Missing NTLDR
Restart.

I have fixbooted, installed XP on both my hard drives, and replaced the 2 NTLDR files, but it still gives me the same thing. I have a feeling it is because of the "Seagate Discwizard" that is installed (I think in the bios) that makes the 2nd harddrive the boot disc. What can I do?

 

[wjsulliv]

Your question is confusing. I will answer under the following assumptions:

You have 2 hard drives in your computer and you computer is booting the second hard drive first (because that is where you had Windows 2000 installed?). Now you have installed Windows XP Home on your first hard drive, but the system doesn't boot, it just comes up with an error saying missing NTLDR? You have tried fixboot, but on the first hard drive where XP is installed.

Is that a correct assessment? If not please claifty your problem?

My solution to the above stated problem.
I don't think the problem is that NTLDR is missing (its on the first drive). The problem is in that the computer is set up to search the second then the first drive. It sees the second drive and when it can't find NTLDR it quits, giving you an error and doesn't check the first drive.

To fix this go into your bios and change the boot order. Make sure you boot the first drive then the second drive.

 

[woodie1]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=kb;en-us;Q314057 addresses this problem