winme/win2k dual boot, deleted ME, can't get into 2k? NTDLR missing

[TaylorD]

i have a friend whose laptop had a winme win2k dual boot. he tried to delete ME by formatting the first partition (drive c: )
winme was on the now empty drive C, win2k is on drive D, but now when the computer starts up, it just says NTDLR missing

I thought I could fix it for him but I am having a hell of a time
should I just install a new copy of win2k on the empty partition?

or use a win98 startup disk and copy the whole d drive t the c drive?

any help is greatly appreciated
thanks

 

[TaylorD]

ok, i ran fdisk and set d as the active partition... now when it starts up, nothing happens

any ideas?

 

[cleverhandle]

The problem is, like it says, that the NT loader is missing - when 2K is configured in a dual boot, it puts the loader on the 98/ME partition, which got deleted in your case. So it doesn't really matter which partition the installation is on now - you still need the loader. I haven't done this with 2K, but with XP, you can boot from the CD into the recovery console and use fixboot. Should be something similar for 2K, if not identical.

 

[Tiger]

It is.
If your friend is going to try and dual boot again make sure Me gets installed first, then 2K.

 

[obenton]

As noted, the format of C: removed the boot files. Recovery console "fixboot" will fix it, as noted, or boot from w2k CD and do a repair install. The current w2k install will have to remain on a "D:" drive, else, as you observed, it won't boot.

 

[TaylorD]

fix boot doesnt fix it.... NTLDR is still missing

 

[TaylorD]

is there any way to replace the loader?

if not, its not too big a deal as all the files were backed up... but he'd prefer to recover his settings if possible

 

[crisp82]

I honestly don't think there is. I have had the same problem, and found myself formatting and re-installing all os's and programs. Sorry for the bad news.

Chris

 

[Tiger]

FixBoot <driveletter> only replaces the boot sector on the drive in question. If NTLDR is missing you need to boot off the install CD and select the R option, to replace or repair the current installation. To keep from losing all the settings use the manual option which lets you select which things to repair like a missing NTLDR.

 

[TaylorD]

what is the option to replace the loader?

do I want to use the "emergency repair process"?
or the "recovery console"?

(I go to emergency repair process, then I went to manual, and it says I need and emegency repair disk)