Hard Drive Help (Installing an OS with no CD-Rom)

Griim · 01-08-2006, 11:59 PM

So, I had this error on my PC after I deleted the wrong file that said "NTLDR Missing - Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to restart" and when I pressed it, it just repeated... After searching the whole web for info on that, no one seemed to be able to help me. SO, I figured I'd just install a new hard drive so that the error could go away and I'd have more memory than before (I wanted a new one in the first place)

Now, I have the new hard drive installed, but I can't figure out how to get it booted. My original interior D drive isn't working and my exterior CD-Rom isn't detected at startup (never has been). So, I'm stuck here not having a clue what to do so I joined these forums for help.

My question - How do I install windows XP onto MY computer when it can't read the OS disk at first? Is there any way to put command prompt on a floppy disk so that it will work on my PC before booting and therefore giving me the oportunity to nudge my computer in the right direction and installing the OS from the E drive.

Please help ASAP. Thank you.

34erd · 01-09-2006, 12:45 AM

Is your CD drive set as the first boot device?

Do you want to save teh data from the old drive?

Griim · 01-09-2006, 12:48 AM

Yes, but as I told you, it's not working.

Also, I really don't care if data is carried over. I just want my computer up and running, I'll just reinstall everything else.

34erd · 01-09-2006, 12:54 AM

Oh sorry, didnt see the part about the external hard drive. Is there an option in the BIOS for USB boot drives?

Once you get your CD drive working I would just format both drives, and then install the OS on your newer one since its probably faster.

Also system specs would be helpful.

Griim · 01-09-2006, 01:09 AM

I think I might know what to do, could you tell me how to make a full system disk from this computer? It's windows XP...

**ceewi1** · 01-09-2006, 03:10 AM

You can download the Windows XP boot disk creator from the Microsoft website, it will allow you to boot into the Windows setup without a bootable CD-ROM drive. I'm not sure if the Windows setup includes drivers to detect an external CD-ROM drive but it's woth a shot.

01-08-2006, 11:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Griim New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3	Hard Drive Help (Installing an OS with no CD-Rom) So, I had this error on my PC after I deleted the wrong file that said "NTLDR Missing - Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to restart" and when I pressed it, it just repeated... After searching the whole web for info on that, no one seemed to be able to help me. SO, I figured I'd just install a new hard drive so that the error could go away and I'd have more memory than before (I wanted a new one in the first place) Now, I have the new hard drive installed, but I can't figure out how to get it booted. My original interior D drive isn't working and my exterior CD-Rom isn't detected at startup (never has been). So, I'm stuck here not having a clue what to do so I joined these forums for help. My question - How do I install windows XP onto MY computer when it can't read the OS disk at first? Is there any way to put command prompt on a floppy disk so that it will work on my PC before booting and therefore giving me the oportunity to nudge my computer in the right direction and installing the OS from the E drive. Please help ASAP. Thank you.

01-09-2006, 12:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
34erd Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 2,842	Is your CD drive set as the first boot device? Do you want to save teh data from the old drive? __________________ DFI Lanparty UT nF4 SLI DR Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1 Gig OCZ VX DDR500 DDR BFG GeForce 7800GT 160 Gig SATA HDD CD-RW DVD-ROM Antec NeoPower 480 Thermaltake Tsunami

01-09-2006, 12:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
34erd Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 2,842	Oh sorry, didnt see the part about the external hard drive. Is there an option in the BIOS for USB boot drives? Once you get your CD drive working I would just format both drives, and then install the OS on your newer one since its probably faster. Also system specs would be helpful. __________________ DFI Lanparty UT nF4 SLI DR Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1 Gig OCZ VX DDR500 DDR BFG GeForce 7800GT 160 Gig SATA HDD CD-RW DVD-ROM Antec NeoPower 480 Thermaltake Tsunami Last edited by 34erd; 01-09-2006 at 12:57 AM.

01-09-2006, 03:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
ceewi1 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 21 Posts: 5,280	You can download the Windows XP boot disk creator from the Microsoft website, it will allow you to boot into the Windows setup without a bootable CD-ROM drive. I'm not sure if the Windows setup includes drivers to detect an external CD-ROM drive but it's woth a shot. __________________ CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600 / MOBO: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 / GPU: Gigabyte HD4870 RAM: 2GB G.Skill F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK / HDD: 2TB Total HDD / PSU: Antec NeoPower 480W Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths As Sealed Stick was removed, lost or damaged, it shall be out of warranty validity. - The "Warranty void if removed" sticker on numerous CoolerMaster PSUs. Useful PSU Guides

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01-09-2006, 12:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Griim New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3	Yes, but as I told you, it's not working. Also, I really don't care if data is carried over. I just want my computer up and running, I'll just reinstall everything else.

01-09-2006, 01:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
Griim New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3	I think I might know what to do, could you tell me how to make a full system disk from this computer? It's windows XP...