Windows 7: Ntldr is missing after erasing windows and installing ubuntu

I hope I'm in the right forum but here it goes....

Computer/Laptop in question:HP Compaq 6830s

Let me start off and say that I have been having problems with this computer and decided to install ubuntu because at the time it was the only known option available. I should also mention that it was the only known option available because the cd-rom is presently nonoperational so the only way to boot anything is from a USB stick.



The computer is presently running the newest version of Ubuntu (12.xxx). When I installed ubuntu I chose the option to erase windows and install ubuntu only. I now realize that was not the best option. Ubuntu is fine but I would rather have some sort of windows operating system so I made a bootable Windows 7 usb key in order to install Windows 7. This bootable USB key works fine on my other computer which is a HP Pavillion A1710n and running Windows XP. However, when I put this USB key in my laptop I get the "NTLDR file is missing press any key to restart". I can't access the windows setup at all. I verified all my boot options and everything is set to USB. I have searched all over the internet but can't find anything for MY particular situation. I am by no means a computer gooroo but it seems to me that the NTLDR file is in fact missing and I need to reinstall it but how can I do that with Ubuntu?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Hi there
you need to have at least ONE partition marked as active before it's bootable with Windows 7.

If you have s system "Reserved" partition then flag that as ACTIVE. If this doesn't exist mark the "C" partition as ACTIVE. Just setting these as PRIMARY isn't sufficient.

Now if on boot it still gives you a BSOD then just use the recovery console -- boot from the Windows 7 install media and choose REPAIR SYSTEM. It won't change any existing data.

To reset the partitions you need to user a bootable partition manager like GPARTED. Just boot the media and follow the instructions.

Cheers
jimbo

I think you are saying you get ntldr is missing when attempting to boot from the usb - is that correct?

That is correct.

That is not a message you would expect from Windows 7.

It sounds like there is an attempt to boot from the HD - did you have XP on there before?

If so - it may an issue with your machine booting from usb.

I have downloaded gparted and made a bootable usb which is presently working for the laptop but to be honest I have no clue on what to do next....please pardon my ignorance on this matter as mentioned previously I have basic computer skills

I don't think there is an issue with the machine booting with the USB as I was able to install Ubuntu with a USB as well as gparted but I could be wrong...

Weird - Windows 7 should say bootmgr is missing.

Ntldr is missing is an odd thing for it to throw up.


Put the usb in another machine and rewrite the mbr (select nt6.x) and pbr ( select bootmgr comaptible code) on the usb device with pauly's little app.

Attachment 209634


Then try booting it on the ubuntu machine .

Everything you need to reinstall the licensed Windows 7 on your machine is included here including the latest official ISO download with SP1 and the MS tool to write it to flash stick: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Since you had GRUB on the HD I would wipe it first using Diskpart Clean Command from the booted installer's Command line accessed this way: DISKPART At PC Startup .

If you follow the steps to install and maintain Windows 7 with only the methods and tools included you should have no problems with Windows 7. If so post back and we will help you with Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

I was trying to install Windows XP previously before I realized I only had an update version and not the full version. Maybe that has something to do with it...

Maybe I should try and erase everything and start over that way...