Windows XP installation error (NTLDR)

[krazyq]

My buddy just got his new setup: Q6600,p35-ds3l,2gb.gskill.

When he installs xp, he passes the format stage and then after the first part it rreboots....but it never resumes. He keeps getting the "NTLDR" error...that its missing .
Hes tried this with 3 of his old IDE hard drive. i think xp home or pro...im not sure if it had sp2 in it.
he also tried installing vista and same error..

any solution to this?

 

[Bruce]

Windows may not start and you may receive an "NTLDR is missing" error message if Windows is not up-to-date and there are too many files in the root folder

 

[atomic tofu]

check what the hd is set at in bios...ide or achi...etc...set to ide if not

 

[carnageX]

There isn't any removable storage or other hard drive plugged into the computer, is there? I know my computer has tried to boot off of my external data drives before, and it gives me the NTLDR Missing error.

 

[krazyq]

im gonna haev him check these or just take his rig and try seeing the prob for my self.

Hes an IT manager and is upgrading from a p3 rig...so hes been out of it for a while.
thanks for the replies...

 

[KSoD]

Make sure that the disk being used has SP2.