I shut down the tablet and when I tried to start

grejac · 01-15-2005, 01:12 PM

I shut down the tablet and when I tried to start, this message appeared " NTLDR is missing". After some research, microsoft has a bulletin on Win XP, which appears to be slightly different from XP Tablet ed. (2005 is the version I am running). I am able to extract the ntldr and ntdetect files from the Gateway restore disk, but I cannot find the boot.ini file . Another problem is that I do not have the external usb dvd/cd drive. I am able to go into bios and prompt to boot from a flash drive in the usb port, but the boot file is always invalid. I tried to get through to Gateway customer service and was disconnected once, and the second person had never heard of XP tablet edition. Imagine that. Anyone know what to do?

motion1 · 01-15-2005, 01:58 PM

Borrow a CD drive from someone(and the lack of tech support Knowledge is one reason why Buying from Gateway is A bit iffy)

ChrisParis · 01-15-2005, 09:57 PM

Boot.ini is created during the Windows installation process, so it shouldn't be on the CD. I think a full reinstall of Windows is probably your best bet. Don't worry, this won't cause you to lose your files.

Pinging Jim Artis!

He will have a better idea as to what to do.

Jim Artis · 01-15-2005, 10:18 PM

Thanks Chris,

Please follow these instructions from Microsoft's Knowledge Base.
After the CD boot, you will select the first "R" to go to the Console. Once you are at the command prompt, type Bootcfg as described below. Following these instructions will create a Boot.ini files and save you the process of a full repair--the second "R." As Chris said, your files, data & applications are intact. If this does not work, please advise before you take other actions.

quote:To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
3. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.
4. When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console.
5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console.
6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
7. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.
8. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file: a. When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y:
Total Identified Windows Installs: 1

[1] C:\Windows
Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All)
b. You receive a message that is similar to the following message:
Enter Load Identifier
This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
c. You receive a message that is similar to the following:
Enter OS Load options
When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER.

Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer.

9. Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.

Jim Artis · 01-15-2005, 10:35 PM

Hello gerjac,

BTW, welcome to the Buzz.

On implementing my post above, you have got to be able to boot from your CD or we can create boot floppies, that you can transfer to your flash drive. On creating boot floppies, please see this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...kb;en-us;31099

grejac · 01-16-2005, 04:27 AM

Thanks motion1, Chris, and Jim for the prompt reply. The reinstallation disk from gateway is a dvd. Could you recommend an inexpensive external drive that I could purchase that would be adequate for a windows reinstallation? I am curious if it will run without drivers installed. Thanks.

Jim Artis · 01-16-2005, 04:39 AM

grejac,

You should be able to purchase a DVD drive for under $50.
Providing your Gateway allows booting from a DVD drive [I have a Motion M1400 and can boot my Motion CD in my DVD drive], you do not need special drivers to boot from the CD/DVD disk. You can test boot using another computer.

BTW, you are welcome for my part.

ADDED on Edit: I use an IDE to USB interface kit to connect the IDE DVD drive to my motion computer.

ChrisParis · 01-16-2005, 08:26 AM

If Gateway sent a DVD with the tablet, it should be designed to run in the emergency you're talking about. It IS an repair disk, after all!

I'd be surprised if Gateway sent a disk that you couldn't use to run a repair. But I wouldn't be shocked.

grejac · 01-17-2005, 08:11 AM

I have an external dvd rom on order. Jim, when the load identifier (name of the OS ) is to be entered, is xp tablet edition considered xp pro or home?