NTLDR is missing after HD reformat

[Ky9]

i just reformatted my HD on my parents computer, and then stuck my hard drive in my computer. it starts up but then says "NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl Alt delete to restart"

havent installed xp yet. havent installled anything

 

[Capricorn]

The reformat didn't get rid of the boot block, which is still looking for NTLDR, the NT operating system loader. Just start your reinstall from CD and (so long as you have your system set in the BIOS to boot from CD before hard disk) you should be fine.

 

[Nubius]

Capri - He said he hasn't installed XP on it.....that's the reason why it's saying that. Put in any formatted drive without an OS on it and it will give you that. It's not because of the format 'not getting rid of the boot block'. He's got the HD first in the boot sequence in the BIOS.

You need to install XP on the HD, that's the only reason you're seeing that message is because you're trying to boot from a HD without an OS on it