NTLDR File is Missing

This error message is often difficult to resolve. More often than not, the file is not missing, but the boot process somehow cannot locate it.

Boot up the computer with the XP CD, then press R to enter Recovery Console.

Then it should say 1. C:\WINDOWS (where C is the drive letter of the partition where xp is installed - it can be another drive letter).

Then press 1 and Enter. Enter admin password.

At the C:\WINDOWS> prompt, type:

"copy x:\i386\ntldr c:\"

without the quotation marks, and where x is the drive letter of the CDROM drive, and press Enter. If asked whether to overwrite, say yes (if asked, it means the file is actually there, but overwrite it anyway). Then type:

"copy x:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\"

without the quotes, and press Enter. Say yes to overwrite.

Then type:

bootcfg /rebuild

and press Enter.

Say yes to Add All.

When asked for Load Identifier for C:\WINDOWS, type:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

and Enter. If it's the XP Home edition, type Home instead of Professional.

When asked for Load Option for C:\WINDOWS, type:

/fastdetect

and press Enter.

Then type:

fixboot c:

and press Enter. Confirm.

Then type exit and Enter. Computer will restart. Remove XP CD, and see if it will boot up into Windows.