How To Fix: NTLDR Is missing – UPDATE
After posting my original article on how to repair a system in which you are receiving a message that the “NTLDR is missing,” I received a comment from a Miles Comer asking me to take a look at his site. So I popped over for a look-see.
Mr. Comer has set up his Web site exclusively to deal with the NTLDR missing problem. He has compiled a fix program that can either be used from a floppy disk or from a CD or CD-RW. What is nice about the site is that Mr. Comer has taken the time to provide step by step instructions, in chronological order, and in simple terms that just about anyone should understand.
Here’s the best part, folks – it’s FREE!
Take a look at Mr. Comer’s site here. I think you will like what you find. I know I did. Nice job, Miles!

22 Comments
jamie
February 25th, 2007
at 3:41am
none of that worked.
Ron Schenone
February 25th, 2007
at 5:36am
Hello Jamie,
If you are unable to repair the NTLDR, try this. Remove the hard disk and located the make and model number. Go to the OEM’s website and download their diagnostic tools to test the hard disk to confirm there is nothing wrong with it.
If the drive fails the test, then it will need to be replaced. You may be able to retrieve data off of the unit, by making it a slave drive, and placing it into another computer.
If it passes, there could be other reasons the repair is not be made to the drive.
May I suggest that you post your problem in the Hardware section over at htt://www.help.lockergnome.com
There are a group of dedicated people in the forum who may be able to provide you with additional information or procedures to try.
Good luck. I hope you get it fixed.
Ron
giogogo
June 10th, 2007
at 11:02am
OK WHAT ABOUT this( i haven’y any operating system cd or drive cds) its doing that by itself. and i cant enter to the windows
plz help idont want to formating my compter
Sadat Vojvoda
February 7th, 2008
at 6:15pm
Hi for every one
i had a big problem with NTLDR file that missing in my computer with windows Vista
i fix it and i wanna to help all of u
in Vista is so easy to fix it
if u have Windows Vista CD u just put on dhe CD or DVD rom and after restart ur computer from CD
when u restart it select language and after u ask vista
1.what do u want before formating
2 Repair/recovery
u select second repair and after will ask u again
what you would like to repair
u select first one does it mean Startup
and after wait untill u see restart now problems will fix succesfull
best regards From Kosova
Ron Schenone
February 8th, 2008
at 10:00am
Sadat Vojvoda,
Thanks for the info. It is appreciated.
Ron
Patrick
February 14th, 2008
at 6:17am
In regards to the ntldr-is-missing Issue, Miles Comer put forth a great effort. However, Ron’s suggestion with simply copying the ntldr files from ones xp disk to the c drive is remarkably simple!
That is; at your command prompt, copy e:\I386\ntldr c:\
Then copy e:\I386\ntdetect.com c:\
Pay special attention to spaces…write it exactly as you see it in his example. Thanks Ron and Miles…..P
Ron Schenone
February 14th, 2008
at 6:37am
Hello Patrick,
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts to this post. Your opinion is appreciated.
Regards, Ron
Jon Click
May 11th, 2008
at 11:17pm
I have an ACER laptop WITHOUT A CD START UP DISK.
currently cant get past the NTLDR is missing message
I recently downloaded MS update s…XP step 3
vista is the “non running” O/S…. what a joke!!!
PLEASE HELP….
Ron Schenone
May 12th, 2008
at 7:47am
Hello Jon,
See if this helps:
http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2008/05/12/if-you-need-a-vista-recovery-disk-download-one-from-here/
Regards, Ron
Josh
July 2nd, 2008
at 5:44pm
WELL I WILL GIVE IT A TRY THIS SITE HAS BEEN MORE HELP THAN CALLING DELL I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW I MAKE OUT. THANKS JOSH
dcb
July 10th, 2008
at 4:30pm
I have fixed this in the past by resetting the bios defaults or using the advanced defaults.
jak
August 7th, 2008
at 3:36am
I have placed my recovery CD in the drive after making sure there is no floppy discs in etc… it wont boot the CD, it gets to “NTLDR is missing Press any key to restart” then when you press a key, it does nothing and the message is repeated, im running a dell laptop, i left a film in the drive yesterday, took it out this morning and turned the comp off, now it doesnt work. any help?
jak
August 7th, 2008
at 3:39am
i have tried putting the film back in and restarting the comp, but still the same problem…
jak
August 7th, 2008
at 4:09am
i went into my boot menu, selected “boot from CD/DVD” then inserted the recovery disc, pressed any key, and still no fix, i need a solution quick as this working comp isnt mine
jak
August 7th, 2008
at 4:14am
SCORE!! i rang up windows help centre, they emailed me a file in which i copied to a CD, it turned out my vista disc was corrupted and have a new one in the mail =) ^^ i tried all the solutions above but none worked easily for me
Ron Schenone
August 7th, 2008
at 6:01am
None of the solutions above would work if your disk was corrupted. Glad you solved the problem.
Regards, Ron
Henry
August 13th, 2008
at 3:55pm
I am currently having the same problem. Except mine says “NTLDR missing Press Alt + Ctrl + Del to restart”
I’ve tried going into the recovery console to replace the ntldr and ntdetect.com files, for example “C:\> copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ ” it will say “File Could not be copied”. Help….
Maureen
August 15th, 2008
at 10:58pm
I need help. I didn’t backup or save all my pictures on my laptop and now I get this message NTLDR is missing press control + alt + delete to restart.
I did that and it keeps taking me back to the same screen.
If I rebooted from the disc that came with the laptop, would I loose everything or can the pictures still be saved?
Please help.
Aurelio
February 6th, 2009
at 7:47pm
pls help me my “ntldr is missing” is also says that “ctrl + alt + enter” why I get that problem?
ntldr is missing
April 1st, 2009
at 3:41pm
[...] when you install or upgrade Windows XP over Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition How To Fix: NTLDR Is missing – UPDATE ~ The Blade by Ron Schenone, MVP NTLDR is missing Perhaps a friend has the same version of Windows that you have, if yes, borrow [...]
Simon
August 13th, 2009
at 8:12am
The actual causes to “NTLDR is missing” is due to MBR (Master boot record) problem. You can find helpful information to create a Windows Vista repair disk from this info link … http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/fixing-bootmgr-is-missing-error-while-trying-to-boot-windows-vista/
Ron Schenone
August 13th, 2009
at 10:56am
Thanks Simon