"NTldr is missing" ---what the f#$%k does that mean?? win2k wont boot!!

[imhotepmp]

I just installed a new mobo, but now i cant seem to get win2k or win98 to start up. The first time I started win2k after installing the new mobo i got a stop error. Now, it just says "NTldr is missing." DOes anyone know what this means? Im so frustrated right now. thanks in advance.
imhotepmp

 

[pg22]

Yes....I had the very same problem 3 weeks ago when I did some mobo switching. I also have a 98/2K dual-boot like you do. If I remember correctly, I copied the boot.ini file from another machine (NOT the same one) and pasted over the one in my machine. And all was fixed.

 

[Tonec]

I had a similar experience when I went from an LX to BE6II. Reinstalling both os's fixed the problem.

 

[imhotepmp]

WOuld I have to boot into dos and replace the file there? i cant boot with the win2k cd becaz it only allows me to run the setup. ??

 

[lupin]

Use win98's boot floppy to boot.

 

[medic]

From the KB

If you attempt to start (boot) your system and encounter either of the following messages
Boot - can't find NTLDR.
-or-
Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: <filename>.
you should run the Emergency Repair Process to restore one or more missing or corrupt system files. To start the repair process, you need to boot from your Windows NT boot disk and press R for Repair. You can verify and restore missing system files that prevent your system from booting. If a file is found to be missing or corrupt, you will be prompted to insert the Setup media containing that missing file so that it can be replaced. After all the files are scanned, you can then reboot your system.

 

[imhotepmp]

thanks for the help guys, Im going to go home and try your suggestions...will update later

 

[Ulysses]

'nuff said.

 

[pg22]

Make sure the boot.ini file is put in the root, of the drive letter that Win2k is installed in (that...sounded odd )

Since boot.ini is a system file...and my DOS knowledge is long gone, I would have been SOL if my brother wasn't home. The reason is becuase boot.ini is a system file and it isn't listed when you do a &quot;dir /w&quot; in DOS. You have to type in a certain command...and I totally forgot what it is, to view it

Good luck.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Chances are that your values in the boot.ini file are no longer accurate. If you can edit that file, play around with the numerical values.

OR for something easier ...

Boot with the Win2K and it will get to a point where you can repair an exisiting install. Choose repair and there should be an option to just repair the boot info. That *may* be all you need.

-SUO

 

[Ulysses]

His problem is that he never got to the point of loading boot.ini, I believe. The file ntldr is what loads boot.ini and other startup files. I believe CRV got it right, although the copy &amp; paste from another PC technique might work too.

Win 2K is world away from Win 98 when it comes to these startup problems, which is why it's so important to prepare Rescue disks, etc., once it is installed.