NTLDR missing on Vista - and yes - i've looked at other threads already :)

[abercrombie1000]

So here's the issue. I recently installed a new hard drive with a clean copy of Vista (32-bit). I only have one partition. It's been fine for at least a month until this morning when I got the message that NTLDR is missing and to hit a key to restart.

I never made a backup given that it's a new hard drive, so would really like to not have to reformat the drive again as I have lots of new files.


What I've tried:
1. I booted up from the installation disk - went to repair, and a)repair startup problems (it found a problem and supposedly fixed it - but still the same error msg and it no longer detects a problem); b) tried to restore to an earlier system point. didn't work

2. Recovering the Vista Bootloader from the DVD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki



tried this, but got stuck at step 3 as i evidently don't have bootsect.exe (tried the path given as well as looking in windows and source directories)

[iseeuu]

So here's the issue. I recently installed a new hard drive with a clean copy of Vista (32-bit). I only have one partition. It's been fine for at least a month until this morning when I got the message that NTLDR is missing and to hit a key to restart.

I never made a backup given that it's a new hard drive, so would really like to not have to reformat the drive again as I have lots of new files.


What I've tried:
1. I booted up from the installation disk - went to repair, and a)repair startup problems (it found a problem and supposedly fixed it - but still the same error msg and it no longer detects a problem); b) tried to restore to an earlier system point. didn't work

2. Recovering the Vista Bootloader from the DVD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

tried this, but got stuck at step 3 as i evidently don't have bootsect.exe (tried the path given as well as looking in windows and source directories)

Please have a look at this link: MBR - Restore Windows 7 Master Boot Record - Windows 7 Forums

NTLDR was used with Windows 2000 and XP, whereas Vista uses "bootmgr". How or why you have NTLDR present is unknown, but restoring the Vista boot code should correct your issue.

[abercrombie1000]

that worked perfectly. thank you very much!

[iseeuu]

that worked perfectly. thank you very much!

You are most welcome! Thanks for letting us know. We, Vista Forums / Seven Forums, are here to help if we can, come back anytime.

Cheers!
Robert