"NTLDR is missing"?

That message usually pops up when the computer boots off the hard drive but runs into an error. If you are trying to install a new OS, you want to get it to boot from the installation media (your CD) first.

Check in the BIOS for a setting called "Boot Order" (or something similar) and you will want anything like "Removable Media" or "Optical Storage" or "CD-ROM Drive" to try and boot before your hard drive.

Then place the CD in the CD drive and try again.

Warning: If you are trying to use the Upgrade version of Windows XP to do a reinstall, it may not be bootable. You will have to download the boot floppies from Microsoft here:

Professional: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa...

Home: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa...

Before you do this steps disconnect printer, scanner, Digicamera, Ipod's,etc.(external peripherals)Insert The Windows Xp Disk in topmost cd drive/dvd drive.Restart the computer.

Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.

When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.

Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.

Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.

You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password. (if no password is created just hit enter)

Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM/DVD ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

pop the disc in and choose the r option when it comes up then type in chkdsk /r