Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions
NTLDR, short for New Technology Loader, is the file executed by the boot sector and displays a boot menu for users to select their target system. NTLDR could boot up any operating system as long as the systems are properly configured in the boot.ini file. NTLDR works in Windows NT operating systems up to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. From Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, NTLDR has been replaced by the Windows Boot Manager (BOOTMGR). The following files are important for NTLDR to boot up a computer.
NTLDR file: includes the boot loader itself, indispensable.
boot.ini file: includes configuration information for a boot menu, error occur if absent.
NTDETECT file: It's indispensable to load an NT-base operating system, which is responsible for hardware information gathering and transferring to NTLDR.
When a PC is powered on, the BIOS will find a device to boot up to depending on the boot sequence priority, such as CD/DVD, hard disk and removable devices (USB or external hard drive). From the boot sector, NTLDR will be loaded and the configuration information in boot.ini will be read to generate a boot menu. Then if an NT-based operating system is chosen, NTLDR runs ntdetect.com to gathers information about the computer's hardware, and starts Ntoskrnl.exe - the Windows kernel; if a non-NT operating system is selected, NTLDR loads the operating systems pointed in the boot.ini file.
NTLDR Error Messages
Following NTLDR error messages occur very frequently and frustrate so many people. You could find solutions below to fix NTLDR errors. The causes of NTLDR errors usually include booting from a non-bootable device, hard drive damaged or not detected, file removal, damaged, or corrupted.
"NTLDR is missing
Press any key to restart"
"NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart"
"Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR
Please insert another disk"
"NTLDR is compressed.
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart."
Start troubleshooting now. First, go to BIOS setup to make sure your hard drive is properly recognized and the first boot device is a hard drive (if this is what you want). If the NTLDR error shows up again, select a solution below based on your situation.
1. Change the first boot device to CD/DVD Rom, insert Windows CD/DVD and reboot.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen shows, press R to start the Recovery Console.
3. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password (blank by default).
4. Assuming the CD/DVD drive is D: and the system drive is C: type the commands as followed.
copy d:i386 tldr c:
copy d:i386 tdetect.com c:
5. Now eject the CD/DVD and type exit before pressing ENTER, and reboot the computer.
NTLDR error often comes along with data loss on your hard drive. And wrong operations taken by users to fix the NTLDR error issue are also a common reason for accidental data deletion or even formatted hard drive. When such problems occur, you'll probably need a powerful data recovery tool to restore all the lost files.
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David Darlington
staff Editor