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re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Friday, February 4, 2005 at 1:00 am Posted by MaddMaxx (1988 messages posted) Partition Magic also contains Boot Magic. It may solve your problem. Partition Magic can also change an NTFS partition back to FAT32 which would give you more to work with. There are many ways to go with this and these are the tools to do it. On Thursday, February 3, 2005 at 11:51 pm, capnfutile wrote: >I posted this over at the straight dope boards, but got no response, so here goes: > >I've done a(nother) bonehead thing with my computer. I have a dual boot system (w98 >and win2k). I'm planning on upgrading to XP soon, and have been backing up stuff >in preparation. Last night I decided I didn't need anything in the W98 partition, >so I deleted everything there. Dumb. Today when I power on, I get "NTLDR not found". >So obviously, I hosed some files crucial to Win2k. > >I've done some Googling and tried something from the MS knowledge base (sys c:, that >got me a w98 command prompt instead of "NTLDR missing"). I can get to the Recovery >Console, and from there I have tried "fixboot c:" and "fixmbr c:" neither of which >did squat. Do I want to try "fixmbr d:"? > >C: was where w98 was, D: is where win2k still is. > >Here's a screenshot of PartitionMagic: >http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg >(Thanks Imageshack) > >What I'd really like to do is to can everything except for D: (OS and program files) >and the NTFS Data partition. I'd eventually like to dualboot with Mandrake Linux >(there's an install there I can't get to but I'd prolly reinstall). Are the Linux >partitions in the right place or should they be after the Win2k partition? > >Apparently, three files are needed in the bootable drive - ntldr, ntdetect.com, and >boot.ini. Boot.ini I can handwrite, but the others can only be gotten by copying >them from another win2k system, which I don't have handy. I can probably see them >from the recovery console, but the RC doesn't allow you to write to floppy, even >if you know the admin PW. ARGH. I do have a w2k CD and a "spare" system, but I'd >rather not install 2k over a good XP setup only to reinstall XP an hour later. > >Thanks for any help. I've been Googling and banging my head for two days and my wife >wants her laptop back! > >thanks, >capn [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Friday, February 4, 2005 at 3:36 am Posted by DEX (11846 messages posted) capnfutile Well because you have nailed the C: drive with the startup files that win2k needs to boot the machine up. and you want to install XP and Linux on the same HD you would be best off to start over to a point.. The files you need to get the win2k to boot are on the win2k cd but because you want to install XP on the Laptop down the road,,,dam you have can of worms. and you have nailed the fat table by running fixboot and fixmbr and have copied the boot files for win98 to the HD with the sys command....and I take it that you don't have the recovery cd for the Laptop nor the driver disk for the Laptop, I'm guessing that you have a 20gb HD ...the standard for most Laptops.....you are getting low on room so to speak...anyway this is what I would do to get things up and running and make the BOSS (wife happy ) I have one also and they can be a pain if things are not right from the getgo...nag,nag ,nag (hahahahah) I want this and I don't like this and how come you have not got MY machine up and running..in a joking way..anyway do this. 1. take the time to get the driver disk for the Laptop for about 15 bucks or so from Bob S. you will need it to get the drivers to load the hardware up and running. on both OS win2k and XP see link below.. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQgotopageZ1QQsassZsweeney0QQsosortorderZ1QQsosortpropertyZ1 2. Then install win2k on C: (2nd copy) so to speak becasue the win2k on D: drive will not load with out the files you nailed and because you nailed the fat table.. 3. When you have win2k up and running get your data files from the 1st copy of win2k on D: drive and a new TEMP folder to hold them on C: drive. 4. Just your data files docs,pictures,downloaded files,etc. but no the Programs because you will need to reinstall them on the new install of win2k to get them to work.. 5. When you are sure you have all you want from the 1st. copy of win2k format the D: drive and then install XP. 6. You will need the driver disk you got from Bob S. to get XP up and running with all the hardware on your Laptop. 7. Then install Par.Magic ( I see you have ver. 7 you would best off with ver. 8 ) but anyway,once you have it install have it make a new partition for Linux, then install Linux....(just a note*** I have install the new Linux called Lindows and it was on a Laptop and it had ALL the drivers for the Dell laptop and got it up and running quick) then you will done more or less... 8. Just one more note*** I have found some new FREE software that will blow your socks off...and will save you some big bucks if you run Word or any of MS software and others it's called EasyOffice (see link below) I don't like to buy software but in this case I sent off for the 2 CD disks set because it is that good...it was like 42 bucks for the disk set but wow it's has so much great software in the set ,,,neat set but you don't need to pay for if you don't want to use the full set , it has some nag screens but for the price you live with it... -------------------------------------------- Link below EasyOffice+PDF Filter is an office suite compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe + antivirus+PDF files AND It's FREE , FREE and it comes with a good antivirus system http://www.download.com/EasyOffice-PDF-Filter/3000-2079_4-10336627.html?tag=lst-0-6 or See this site for all the items that come with EasyOffice 7 http://www.e-press.com/index1.htm Read the reviews on this one, GREAT reviews The little word processor has grown into a complete replacement for MS Office plus lots of goodies like PDF that alone will save you many $$$$ dollars and a full antivirus system and on and on.. OS: Windows (all) File Size: 90.25MB License: Free --------------------------------------------------------- Easy Office It's FREE for home users but it has a nag popop but for the price you can beat it...you can cancel the nag with a payment of 29 bucks but you don't need to to use it .. It's a big file 92,4mb, but it has it ALL.. Just like Office with a lot more,it's great program with great reviews. It will let you make PDF files on the fly that can save you 300 bucks and if you check on the price of MS Office it can blow you away for the price on that one... Like I said it comes with every thing, I installed it on one of my machine and it knock my socks off""""GREAT Program"""" I don't have stock in it but I wish I did.. You will enjoy it and say the same thing I did,,,"great program" and it's FREE FROM: http://www.download.com/EasyOffice-PDF-Filter/3000-2079_4-10336627.html?tag=lst-0-1 or See this site for all the items that come with EasyOffice 7 http://www.e-press.com/index1.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------ On Thursday, February 3, 2005 at 11:51 pm, capnfutile wrote: >I posted this over at the straight dope boards, but got no response, so here goes: > >I've done a(nother) bonehead thing with my computer. I have a dual boot system (w98 >and win2k). I'm planning on upgrading to XP soon, and have been backing up stuff >in preparation. Last night I decided I didn't need anything in the W98 partition, >so I deleted everything there. Dumb. Today when I power on, I get "NTLDR not found". >So obviously, I hosed some files crucial to Win2k. > >I've done some Googling and tried something from the MS knowledge base (sys c:, that >got me a w98 command prompt instead of "NTLDR missing"). I can get to the Recovery >Console, and from there I have tried "fixboot c:" and "fixmbr c:" neither of which >did squat. Do I want to try "fixmbr d:"? > >C: was where w98 was, D: is where win2k still is. > >Here's a screenshot of PartitionMagic: >http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg >(Thanks Imageshack) > >What I'd really like to do is to can everything except for D: (OS and program files) >and the NTFS Data partition. I'd eventually like to dualboot with Mandrake Linux >(there's an install there I can't get to but I'd prolly reinstall). Are the Linux >partitions in the right place or should they be after the Win2k partition? > >Apparently, three files are needed in the bootable drive - ntldr, ntdetect.com, and >boot.ini. Boot.ini I can handwrite, but the others can only be gotten by copying >them from another win2k system, which I don't have handy. I can probably see them >from the recovery console, but the RC doesn't allow you to write to floppy, even >if you know the admin PW. ARGH. I do have a w2k CD and a "spare" system, but I'd >rather not install 2k over a good XP setup only to reinstall XP an hour later. > >Thanks for any help. I've been Googling and banging my head for two days and my wife >wants her laptop back! > >thanks, >capn [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Friday, February 4, 2005 at 4:24 am Posted by Steve B (209 messages posted) ntdlr and ntdetect.com are in the i386 folder of any install CD for Win2k or XP. Note, the XP ones can boot Win2k, but the Win2k ones are clueless about XP On Thursday, February 3, 2005 at 11:51 pm, capnfutile wrote: >I posted this over at the straight dope boards, but got no response, so here goes: > >I've done a(nother) bonehead thing with my computer. I have a dual boot system (w98 >and win2k). I'm planning on upgrading to XP soon, and have been backing up stuff >in preparation. Last night I decided I didn't need anything in the W98 partition, >so I deleted everything there. Dumb. Today when I power on, I get "NTLDR not found". >So obviously, I hosed some files crucial to Win2k. > >I've done some Googling and tried something from the MS knowledge base (sys c:, that >got me a w98 command prompt instead of "NTLDR missing"). I can get to the Recovery >Console, and from there I have tried "fixboot c:" and "fixmbr c:" neither of which >did squat. Do I want to try "fixmbr d:"? > >C: was where w98 was, D: is where win2k still is. > >Here's a screenshot of PartitionMagic: >http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg >(Thanks Imageshack) > >What I'd really like to do is to can everything except for D: (OS and program files) >and the NTFS Data partition. I'd eventually like to dualboot with Mandrake Linux >(there's an install there I can't get to but I'd prolly reinstall). Are the Linux >partitions in the right place or should they be after the Win2k partition? > >Apparently, three files are needed in the bootable drive - ntldr, ntdetect.com, and >boot.ini. Boot.ini I can handwrite, but the others can only be gotten by copying >them from another win2k system, which I don't have handy. I can probably see them >from the recovery console, but the RC doesn't allow you to write to floppy, even >if you know the admin PW. ARGH. I do have a w2k CD and a "spare" system, but I'd >rather not install 2k over a good XP setup only to reinstall XP an hour later. > >Thanks for any help. I've been Googling and banging my head for two days and my wife >wants her laptop back! > >thanks, >capn [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Friday, February 4, 2005 at 7:39 am Posted by Steve Dunn (924 messages posted) steve b told you where to find ntldr & ntdetect.com. With those files and boot.ini in the root of C:, you then need to return to recovery console and run fixboot again (with the 3 files, this will create a new boot sector for you). You could also just copy the 3 files to a newly formatted blank floppy - that floppy will then boot your installation. You're probably ok with boot.ini, but I'll just post what it should look like to boot the 2nd partition on the first disk:- [boot loader] timeout=30 default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect If you intend dual booting with mandrake, I'd start from scratch. Install 2k on first partition (during install, use its partitioning tools to wipe existing partitions and just create one partition for it), with room for linux. Then let linux install handle setting up of partitions and creation of dual boot menu. If you do want to keep what you have, you'll probably need something like partition magic, as your 2k installation is almost certainly on an extended partition and it need to be a primary partition to allow dual boot with mandrake (tip - for best results multi-booting any operating systems, put them each on their own primary partition). You'd then need to create a boot sector in the new 2k primary partition (same as at the top - but for D: not C: - and run fixboot D:). Now linux may install into the 98 partition (or the space it takes up). PS. Good free for personal use boot manager is at www.boot-us.com (lilo or grub which are usually suplied with linux will do you fine - just an option). If you do use a third party boot manager, you'll still need to install lilo/grub - but to the partition that linux is on, not to the mbr. On Thursday, February 3, 2005 at 11:51 pm, capnfutile wrote: >I posted this over at the straight dope boards, but got no response, so here goes: > >I've done a(nother) bonehead thing with my computer. I have a dual boot system (w98 >and win2k). I'm planning on upgrading to XP soon, and have been backing up stuff >in preparation. Last night I decided I didn't need anything in the W98 partition, >so I deleted everything there. Dumb. Today when I power on, I get "NTLDR not found". >So obviously, I hosed some files crucial to Win2k. > >I've done some Googling and tried something from the MS knowledge base (sys c:, that >got me a w98 command prompt instead of "NTLDR missing"). I can get to the Recovery >Console, and from there I have tried "fixboot c:" and "fixmbr c:" neither of which >did squat. Do I want to try "fixmbr d:"? > >C: was where w98 was, D: is where win2k still is. > >Here's a screenshot of PartitionMagic: >http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg >(Thanks Imageshack) > >What I'd really like to do is to can everything except for D: (OS and program files) >and the NTFS Data partition. I'd eventually like to dualboot with Mandrake Linux >(there's an install there I can't get to but I'd prolly reinstall). Are the Linux >partitions in the right place or should they be after the Win2k partition? > >Apparently, three files are needed in the bootable drive - ntldr, ntdetect.com, and >boot.ini. Boot.ini I can handwrite, but the others can only be gotten by copying >them from another win2k system, which I don't have handy. I can probably see them >from the recovery console, but the RC doesn't allow you to write to floppy, even >if you know the admin PW. ARGH. I do have a w2k CD and a "spare" system, but I'd >rather not install 2k over a good XP setup only to reinstall XP an hour later. > >Thanks for any help. I've been Googling and banging my head for two days and my wife >wants her laptop back! > >thanks, >capn [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 2:34 am Posted by capnfutile (5 messages posted) Okay, I'm back up and running computer-wise. Thanks for the help - the Steves were on the right track. I copied the NT files from the CD after booting with a win98 boot floppy (glad I didn't toss that!) as I couldn't write to the disk using the recovery console. I edited a new boot.ini file and rebooted. I got the error "Windows 2k could not start beacuse the following file is missing or currupt \system32\ntoskernel.exe". I reasoned that this was because my win2k partition is not my second partition - refer to this screenshot of my hard drive: http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg I just kept adding one to the partition number, saving and rebooting and when I got to six we were good as gold - I didn't need to run fixboot again. Okay, now to tempt fate: Next I'd like to do the following: 1: remove current linux partitions and the fat32 data partition 2: resize C: (where I've just re-written the boot.ini) to a minimal size. 3: install XP without farking any of the data in the NTFS data partition (the final and largest partition) 4: install mandrake and dual boot. What's the best order to do this in? Thanks for your help guys - Steves, if I could email you a cold frosty beer, I would! Capn On Friday, February 4, 2005 at 7:39 am, Steve Dunn wrote: > >steve b told you where to find ntldr & ntdetect.com. With those files and boot.ini >in the root of C:, you then need to return to recovery console and run fixboot again >(with the 3 files, this will create a new boot sector for you). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: NTLDR missing on dual-boot system Sunday, February 6, 2005 at 3:29 pm Posted by Steve Dunn (572 messages posted) Capn, I never noticed your original link to your drive image - so didn't realise how complicated you'd already got (all those logical drives in the extended partition) To answer your last question - I'd start again! What's that small hidden primary ntfs partition at the beginning of the drive? I have a problem giving any advice as I NEVER use extended partitions for dual/multi-booting. 2 reasons - I've had a number of 'lost' logical drives in the past for no good reason, and operating systems generally need a primary partition to boot from - so if you have one (or more) installed in an extended partition, it still needs a boot sector elsewhere (I'm not entirely sure if this is true of linux - basically got fed up installing various versions of it, as it never works properly - it may be directly bootable using lilo/grub even if installed in extended partition). Also, although PM is a very good tool, you can come a cropper with too many resizes/deletes/etc - you definitely need to back up vital data - I hope the whole 28GB on that last partition isn't vital, unless you have another hard drive to back it up to - before you embark on your restructuring exercise. Are you intending installing XP instead of 2k? In order to arrive at a dual boot XP/mandrake machine this is what I'd do:- 1. Back up what data you want/need to keep (to another drive, DVDs, tape whatever). 2. Wipe the drive - remove all partitions from it. 3. Install XP - creating one primary partition using its partitioning tools during the install process. Leaving enough room for linux and any other partitions you may want. 4. Install mandrake - its boot loader should give you the option to create dual boot, and its partitioning tools should let you set it up easily. 5. When you're happy both o/s boot ok, create any more partitions you might want (if any). I'm sorry this doesn't actually answer your question - but I wouldn't attempt to restructure your filestore if its was on my machine (unless there was no data that mattered and I was just experimenting to see what worked and what didn't) On Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 2:34 am, capnfutile wrote: >Okay, I'm back up and running computer-wise. Thanks for the help - the Steves were >on the right track. I copied the NT files from the CD after booting with a win98 >boot floppy (glad I didn't toss that!) as I couldn't write to the disk using the >recovery console. I edited a new boot.ini file and rebooted. I got the error "Windows >2k could not start beacuse the following file is missing or currupt >rott>\system32\ntoskernel.exe". I reasoned that this was because my win2k partition >is not my second partition - refer to this screenshot of my hard drive: >http://img209.exs.cx/img209/304/screenshot1lc.jpg > >I just kept adding one to the partition number, saving and rebooting and when I got >to six we were good as gold - I didn't need to run fixboot again. > >Okay, now to tempt fate: Next I'd like to do the following: > >1: remove current linux partitions and the fat32 data partition >2: resize C: (where I've just re-written the boot.ini) to a minimal size. >3: install XP without farking any of the data in the NTFS data partition (the >final and largest partition) >4: install mandrake and dual boot. > >What's the best order to do this in? > >Thanks for your help guys - Steves, if I could email you a cold frosty beer, I would! > >Capn > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows 2000 Discussion Forum