BIG BIG PROBLEM!!!

[birdpup]

All it should take is to insert the WindowsXP install CD and allow everything to load just as if you will install a clean system. The preparation will check the partition for a pre-existing operating system, it will find your operating system that is already there, and it will then ask if you wish to repair this system, install over this system, or format the drive and install a new clean operating system. I think you are not reaching this part of the normal installation to see this choice.

Just go through the normal installation routine except it will detect your system and ask you if you wish to repair it or not.

 

[rh535]

How do i back up my files on to another hd?

 

[rh535]

Okay after i select ENTER

I select F8=Agree

Know i am at where i see my partitions i see

C: Partition1 [NTFS] Main hd have windows and fedore core 3
J: Partition2 [Unknown]
-: Partiton3 [Windows XP Fault Tolera

Where do i go from here?

 

[birdpup]

It seems you are in the correct spot. Select C: Partition 1

But remember that you want to repair this partition, not install new.
Be careful with your selections so you do not to overwrite your current system.

 

[rbrandon]

Originally posted by: Izusaga
First problem would be Windows XP.

That was good, very trollish. Care to help now?

 

[bigjohnnytex]

Does NTLDR come before or after the Kernel?

 

[birdpup]

NTLDR is necessary to load the kernel (NT Loader), therefore it is executed before the kernel.

 

[rh535]

Okay I selected C: Partition1 and when i click on it it doesn't say any thing about repair at the bottom of the page it says ENTER=Install D=Delete Partition F3=Quit

What should I do from here?

 

[birdpup]

Do not delete the partition, I believe that selecting <Enter> is the appropriate step. Can someone confirm this?

 

[rh535]

Where do i go from there to do a repair?

 

[rh535]

Since im missing something. Could i just put the files on a cd them put them on windows partition?

 

[birdpup]

I am not sure what happened with your attempt with the repair. I ran mine and this is what I received:

=============================================================
To set up XP now, press <Enter>
F8=I agree

=============================================================
Windows XP Professional Setup
=============================

If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it.
Use teh UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select an installation.
* To repair the selected Windows XP installation, press R.
* To ocntinue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press ESC.

Partition List
C:\Windows "Microsoft Windows XP Professional"

F3=Quit R=Repair ESC=Don't Repair
=============================================================

The correct action for a Repair is to select R for Repair.

 

[rh535]

it doesn't say any thing about repait at all.

I have a extra hd that is in my comp. How could i backup my files from my other hard drive?

 

[birdpup]

Originally posted by: rh535
it doesn't say any thing about repait at all.

I have a extra hd that is in my comp. How could i backup my files from my other hard drive?

I do not know why you were not able to access the Repair function of the installation.

You can copy/backup your files by using a liveCD or a rescueCD. Here are a couple:

Rescue Disks
BartPE
Knoppix

I think the BartPE will work better for your situation since Knoppix is Linux with difficulties inherent with it such as filesystem access and user permissions. BartPE is based on Windows so it will have all the necessary drivers for reading/writing to NTFS filesystems. I have not used BartPE before but I understand you should just be able to copy files, like normal, with it.

Another possibility is to use a drive copy utility that would allow you copy all the data on the whole drive over to the second drive. However, it is probable that you already have data on the second drive you do not wish to lose.

Hard Drive Manufacturer Diagnostic Utilities
Seagate
Western Digital
Maxtor
Fujitsu
Hitachi

I hope this information helps you. I will be away this weekend so will not be able to help further until Tuesday. I hope someone else will help if it is needed.

 

[rh535]

I don't have any thing on the other drive. And it is a WD 120 GB

 

[birdpup]

can you provide the specifications of the two drives? Size, model number, speed in rpm, cache size (if known).
Is it better to keep the operating system on the drive it is on now or would it be better to put your operating system on your second drive?

Western Digital has a drive copy utility in its DataLifeguard diagnostic utility that you can use to copy all information to a second drive. You could use this to copy ALL your information over even if both drives are not Western Digital. Then reinstall your Windows operating system on the first drive. Then later, just copy the files you need from the second drive to the first drive.

Once you are finished, you can then delete the partition table on the second drive, create new partitions, then format the drive all from under Disk Management.

Disk Management can be accessed by:
right-click on My Computer, select Manage, select Storage/Disk Management

 

[rh535]

The two drives

Main HD-160 GB WD ide-7200 rpm-8 MB Cache
Sec HD-120 GB WD in ide raid-7200 rpm-8 MB Cache

 

[Mr Smiley]

Did you by any chance delete a file named NTLDR probably located on your windows xp partition? If you did then you need to find that file on your windows xp cd or get the file off of another xp system. Then you need to boot up from the windows xp disk go to the command prompt and copy the file to the drive/partition you deleted it from.
I'v done this same thing(deleted the NTLDR file not knowing what it was). And I was getting the same screen(NTLDR Error then would restart the system again and agian...). Hopefully Iv been of some help.

 

[rh535]

Okay i found the NTLDR on the windows xp disc. How do i get on my Hard Drive?

 

[Mr Smiley]

Boot up with the windows xp cd then get into the command line thing that you were in before. Then type "copy (where it is on the cd) (the place where you deleted it. Like C:\)". If it says 1 file was copied then you where succesful! Here is a link that better explains command line commands.
Did you delete any files other than the NTLDR file? You might need to copy those files back also. Here is a pic of my C:\ drive. Hope this helps and you get it fixed!

 

[rh535]

I think i am going to put a clean windows xp on my 120 GB and then just drag my files over from 160. Would this work?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: rh535
I typed fixmbr and it says it worked but know it says

NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

What should i do?

You may have to reinstall Windows, or try 'fixboot'. Either case, you need to get your Fedora CD, NOT your XP CD to restore GRUB. Do XP's fixboot before you restore GRUB though to get XP at least working. The point is, the XP boot loader cannot load Linux. Conversely, the Linux GRUB boot loader can chain load NTLDR. Insert your Fedora CD, I'm pretty sure there is an option to restore your boot loader somewhere. If you can't find the option, you could also try Knoppix ("live" CD linux) then execute grub and have it install itself. This will be quicker than reinstalling Fedora and losing all your stuff.

 

[rh535]

I tried the fixboot and it still gives me the error.

 

[rh535]

It gives me

NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart

What should i do?

 

[rh535]

Is any buddy there?