NTLDR without windows recovery disk?

Question

hi,

I've read the posts on what to do when the NTLDR message comes up but here's a twist: I'm trying to help a friend with his computer and the message that keeps coming up is "NTLDR is missing, press ctrl + alt + del to restart" and the problem is he lost his recovery disk. This is a Compaq computer and I can get into the "recovery mode" by pressing F10 but even doing that it keeps saying that every file is not recoverable when trying to "restore" Windows. I can't seem to find anything physically wrong when I open up the computer (everything seems to be connected) and I changed the boot sequence in the BIOS settings but that didn't work and now I'm running out of ideas on what to try. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks for your time!!

Answer 1

There is alot of help for this on Microsofts site.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318728

You will need a boot disk (one with the same OS - it does not have to be the one that came with the machine!) So if you have one just use it (Windows XP - Same Edition or Better)
I think by default Compaqs will boot from the CD if a bootable CD is installed. (Maybe you have a bad CD)

You may be able to recover. In some cases this is actually an HD failure so just be prepared for the worst.. reformat!
You can get the restores from Compaq if you have too.

Good Luck