Hi,
I i'm experiencing problems trying to install xp on a laptop. The machine doesn't have a cd-rom nor a floppy. I tried formatting the hdd in another laptop witht the string format c: /s to make it bootable and then copying the I386 folder to the disk. Mounting the hdd in the first laptop, i'm receiving the error message "ntldr is missing" plz restart. I have tried to copy the following files to the hdd; boot.ini, ntdetect.com and ntldr but i'm still receiving the same error message. The thing is it's neither possible making a lan-boot nor boot via usb. How should i proceed with this problem?
Anyone?
Well installing Windows with no CDrom and no floppy is a pretty difficult task. I think the way you did earlier would be best. If you can get your HD to boot up into dos with the setup files already on it and then load up the setup file in the i386 folder. Also do you have any external Cdroms, zip dirives or even a thumbdrive that your laptop can boot off of?
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The only way to boot the laptop is from harddrive as haven't got the expansion board or the port replicator. And as i mentioned earlier i can't get the laptop to boot from hdd...
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But didnt you say you transfered all the files to make your HD bootable? Well if it's not working correctly, you can always get the other laptop and do a simple Windows install on that and then bring it over to your current laptop. You're system wont recognize all the new hardware, but you can then reinstall all the drivers that it's lacking.
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I transferred the files by mounting the hdd in another laptop which has cd-rom. I have tried installing os and then mount it back in the other laptop but still receive the error message about NTLDR
appreciating your assistance though!!
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Ok, so on the other laptop, you took out the HD and inserted this one as the primary, correct? and then did the install? If you did, you wouldnt need to transfer the ntldr, ntdetect, and boot.ini. Also, is the HD recognized on the main laptop in bios?
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The hdd works just fine in the main computer but not in the one i'm trying to fix...any ideas about what's buggin?
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Are you able to boot off a thumbdrive or other external device? I mean, since you've already got the setup files on your HD, can you make a start up disk on your other laptop and then bring those setup files to your thumbdrive or other? and then boot off of it?
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Nope, it磗 an older laptop and the only boot feature available is from hdd...
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D'oh! Well all I can say is try reinstalling it again but this time after it's formatted your HD and copied the files to the HD, when it asks for you to restart to continue the installation, just turn it off. Switch HD's and let it startup on continue.
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