How to Repair a Missing NTLDR for Windows XP Without the CD

NTLDR is required on the hard drive for the machine to boot.

A corrupted or missing NTLDR file renders a Windows machine inoperable. The file is required for the system to boot into Windows. If you don't have the Windows installation CD, you can still install the recovery console, which is used to repair the missing file. The only requirement is the i386 folder, which is copied to the hard drive when you install the Windows operating system. Using a Windows boot disk, you can recover from a missing NTLDR file and restore your computer's functionality.

Things You'll Need

• Windows boot CD, floppy or DVD

Instructions

1. Insert the boot disk into the drive and reboot the machine. This will allow you to boot into Windows normally.

2. Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Run." In the text box displayed, enter "D:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons" and click "OK." Replace "D" with the drive letter for your Windows installation. This installs the recovery console, so you can use it when you boot the machine.

3. Remove the boot disk and reboot the machine. Select "Recovery Console" at the opening screen. This brings you to a Windows command prompt.

4. Enter the administrator password into the command prompt. Now you are given a command prompt with access to the Windows files installed on the machine.

5. Type "xcopy d:\i386\ntldr c:." Replace "d" with the drive letter where Windows is installed. Replace "c" with the location for the missing NTLDR file. The "xcopy" function copies the NTLDR file from the Windows i386 folder to the root of the drive.

6. Reboot the machine. The Windows operating system is now able to boot without the NTLDR error.

Tips & Warnings

• If you attempt to overwrite the NTLDR while in Windows, the operating system gives you an error that the file is already in use and will not allow you to overwrite the file.

References

• Microsoft: Install the Recovery Console on Your Computer
• ComputerHope: NTLDR Is Missing