NTLDR missing

[Mats91]

Hello,

After trying to install the Windows 8 preview yesterday (I wanted to install it on an external HDD and found this site that explained how Install and Boot Windows 8 (CP) from a External Hard Disk | Manas Patnaik)
it said "NTLDR missing" when I tried to boot my computer.

How can I solve this problem (preferably without installing Win7 all over again).
I do have recovery disks but they are from ASUS and if I insert the disk the only option is to reinstall everything and therefor lose all my data.
I've also tried pressing F8 right after booting but nothing happens when I do that (tried tapping, holding it,... nothing works).

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[Kaktussoft]

Did you install it in a VHD on external? Or just in a partition on external disk?
Is external disk a esata disk or just an usb disk?

Try to boot without external disk attached to system. Do you see the win8 boot menu? Any errors?

 

[Mats91]

Did you install it in a VHD on external? Or just in a partition on external disk?
Is external disk a esata disk or just an usb disk?

Try to boot without external disk attached to system. Do you see the win8 boot menu? Any errors?

I did exactly what the site said so I created a VHD and installed it on the VHD.
It's a USB disk.

I tried rebooting without the external HDD and it said "Reboot and select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"

 

[Kaktussoft]

So you can't boot without the external attached. Did you change boot device order in bios? So is internal disk still in the boot devices list?

Does internal disk contain win7? Does internal disk contain a "system reserved" partition (I you know that)

 

[Kaktussoft]

In tutorial you followed are some actions to check.

Did you see the win8 entry there?
After reboot it booted to win8 entry and actually did the install?

 

[Mats91]

So you can't boot without the external attached. Did you change boot device order in bios? So is internal disk still in the boot devices list?

Does internal disk contain win7? Does internal disk contain a "system reserved" partition (I you know that)

Correct: If I boot WITH external it says "NTLDR missing"
If I boot WITHOUT external it says "Reboot and select ..."

In BIOS it says:
"Boot option #1 Windows Boot Manager (P0: WDC WD5000BPVT-80HXZT3)"
"Boot option #2 MATSHITADVD-RAM UJ8B0"

The internal disk contains Win7 and I didn't change anything on the internal disk except I did: "bcdboot.exe W:\Windows" in cmd. (W: being the VHD I created with Win8 on it).

I don't know what system reserved partition means but if i remember correctly there was:
- an EFI partition (about 200 mb)
- A C:\ partition with Win7 on it
- A D:\ partition with my files and stuff
- A recovery partition

 

[Kaktussoft]

Steps to do:
-detach external disk from system
-boot from win7 repair disk or install dvd and http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html option two.
-perform a Startup Repair there

Be sure the correct partition is active on internal disk. Does it find and fix any problems? click on "view diagnostic and repair details" what did it fix? Status 0x0 means "no problem"

 

[Kaktussoft]

"Boot option #1 Windows Boot Manager (P0: WDC WD5000BPVT-80HXZT3)"
"Boot option #2 MATSHITADVD-RAM UJ8B0"=>that's the DVD!!

So only 2 active boot devices in bios. Second one is DVD.
What I think:

• With external attached it uses external as boot device! An old usb disk formatted in winxp... so NTLDR bootsector. But no NTLDR ... because winxp was never on it
• Without external attached it tries to boot from internal.

He can't find internal disk anymore. Or it has no active partition

 

[RogerR]

Have you tried using Partition Wizard (free) to sort your boot issues. I have run into the missing NTDLR issue on several occasions and found PW the easiest way to repair the Master Boot Record. By far.

 

[Kaktussoft]

"Boot option #1 Windows Boot Manager (P0: WDC WD5000BPVT-80HXZT3)"
"Boot option #2 MATSHITADVD-RAM UJ8B0"=>that's the DVD!!

So only 2 active boot devices in bios. Second one is DVD.

What I think:

• With external attached it uses external as boot device! An old usb disk formatted in winxp... so NTLDR bootsector. But no NTLDR ... because winxp was never on it
• Without external attached it tries to boot from internal.

He can't find internal disk anymore. Or it has no active partition

WDC WD5000BPVT-80HXZT3 is your internal disk?
Information about the WDC WD5000BPVT-80HXZT3 model of hard drives having the 01.01A01 firmware

 

[altek]

I am having a similar issue as the OP. I posted a thread here, searched the web all over the place, etc. It just seems there are too many issues that can cause the same problem. Basically, my PC is freezing like every hour or so forcing me to manually restart. If I leave it be, it will restart itself with the boot error: "NTLDR is missing, press ctrl alt del". I tried tweaking my boot options in BIOS. The thing is I have an SSD internal drive which runs my Windows 7 and also I have an external USB drive for storage. This all started when a 3rd drive (internal SATA) was giving me a lot of problems/crashed. I formatted my SSD and re-installed Windows, removed the failed drive completely, re-installed all my drivers, etc and I am still getting this system freezing issue. I really think it has something to do with my hard drives or boot options/order/etc. It seems as if both of my disks are FINE (not corrupt or anything). But I can't pinpoint what the issue is. I am also getting a red LED light on my case once it freezes and/or the NTLDR error forcing my manual restart which will give me another hour or so of perfect computer use until another freeze/crash.

 

[Kaktussoft]

I am having a similar issue as the OP. I posted a thread here, searched the web all over the place, etc. It just seems there are too many issues that can cause the same problem. Basically, my PC is freezing like every hour or so forcing me to manually restart. If I leave it be, it will restart itself with the boot error: "NTLDR is missing, press ctrl alt del". I tried tweaking my boot options in BIOS. The thing is I have an SSD internal drive which runs my Windows 7 and also I have an external USB drive for storage. This all started when a 3rd drive (internal SATA) was giving me a lot of problems/crashed. I formatted my SSD and re-installed Windows, removed the failed drive completely, re-installed all my drivers, etc and I am still getting this system freezing issue. I really think it has something to do with my hard drives or boot options/order/etc. It seems as if both of my disks are FINE (not corrupt or anything). But I can't pinpoint what the issue is. I am also getting a red LED light on my case once it freezes and/or the NTLDR error forcing my manual restart which will give me another hour or so of perfect computer use until another freeze/crash.

With no USB attached system boots fine? always?
With usb attached, system boots fine.... but not always?

 

[altek]

With no USB attached system boots fine? always?
With usb attached, system boots fine.... but not always?

My system boots up fine either way. Windows runs perfect and after about an hour or so the system freezes forcing a manual restart. If I leave it frozen, it will restart on it's own after a min or so with the red LED on and that is when I have the boot errors. "NTLDR is missing.." forcing me to manually restart anyway.

 

[RogerR]

You may have multiple issues manifesting solely as a boot issue. Per my earlier post, I strongly recommend you try Partition Wizard and rebuild the boot sectors on your drives. Note that this area lies outside the first partition, so other disk operations may not repair it.

PW is not complicated, can be operated direct from a CD or USB stick, so its a convenient tool for any time you have boot problems.

 

[gregrocker]

Mat's - Set Win7 HD first HD to boot in BIOS setup, unplug external.

When it boots plug back in External and take a screenshot of your maximized DIsk Mgmt drive map and listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attach using paper clip in Reply box.

Altec - What do you mean you "installed all my drivers?" Win7 is driver complete in the installer and quickly updated from optional Windows Updates. You should only import drivers then missing in Device manager, from the SUpport Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

Reinstall according to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.
If problems persist test your hardware and work through these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[altek]

You may have multiple issues manifesting solely as a boot issue. Per my earlier post, I strongly recommend you try Partition Wizard and rebuild the boot sectors on your drives. Note that this area lies outside the first partition, so other disk operations may not repair it.

PW is not complicated, can be operated direct from a CD or USB stick, so its a convenient tool for any time you have boot problems.

I downloaded PW when I seen your earlier post, but I am not exactly sure what to do with it (?). Rebuild boot sectors on my drives?

Altec - What do you mean you "installed all my drivers?" Win7 is driver complete in the installer and quickly updated from optional Windows Updates. You should only import drivers then missing in Device manager, from the SUpport Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

Reinstall according to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.
If problems persist test your hardware and work through these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

I have to install CPU and GPU drivers from disks when I am done installing.

 

[gregrocker]

Why did you have to install these drivers to an OS which supplies most drivers in the installer and via optional Windows Updates? Were they missing in the Device Manager? I explained to you that this is not necessary in WIn7. After install run all Important and Optional Updates, then any drivers missing can be imported from a fresher source which is the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

To try Roger's idea, run Partition Wizard Rebuild MBR - Video Help.

 

[Kaktussoft]

On USB disk is no OS installed...right? If so, mark all partitions on external disk as INACTIVE. So it can't even boot from it.

How to Set Active/Inactive partition with partition magic? Partition Wizard Help
or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197157-partition-mark-inactive.html

No NTLDR errors anymore?

 

[altek]

I need to install motherboard drivers so I can use my ethernet to get onto the internet to get Windows Update.

I am going to mark the external partitions inactive and some other things I have been reading about. My external has been unplugged now. I am only running my SSD primary with Windows 7 on it but I am still getting crashes. Instead of the NTLDR is missing, I am getting "Please select boot device and restart". Very similiar to another guy. When his external was plugged in, he got the NTLDR error, when unplugged the "Select boot device". I might just do a clean install and see if that will finally fix it.

 

[Kaktussoft]

For some reason your ssd is inaccessible. That's why system crashes.

On reboot it's still inacccessable and system tries to boot from external drive instead. It has an active partition with old winxp bootsector that searches for NTLDR file.

Mark partition on external as inactive, because marking it active is of no use.

Of course BIOS says "select proper boot device" if ssd isn't found.

Try to do a firmware upgrade (if available) for your ssd. Do you still have waranty?