Forum: EasyBoot
Topic: Could not find NTLDR....
started by: Limerick
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 10 2005,08:33
Hello all,

Here I am... again...

I followed the help file to include a XP Home installation file in my EZB CD, but when choosing to install with my EZB menu, I've a message saying : "Could Not Find NTLDR"

But I checked this file is in the I386 folder (setupldr.bin and bootfix.bin). And both win51 and win51ic are also in C:\EasyBoot\disk1

Where should I put this NTLDR file ?
Posted by eureka on Apr. 10 2005,12:33
Hello again Limerick

Ntldr should reside in i386 and is only used for Windows when initiating its start procedure.

Some briefing about NTLDR: NTLDR is a program loaded from the hard drive boot sector that displays the Microsoft Windows NT startup menu and helps Microsoft Windows NT load.

I suppose the first part (copy files) is working and when finished with this, computer reboots, and you get this message: "Could Not Find NTLDR".  Am I right? If this is the case, copy a new NTLDR file to EasyBoot\disk1\i386-folder to be sure that this file isn’t corrupt (happens to me sometimes).

eureka
Posted by eureka on Apr. 10 2005,13:15
Limerick, I’m not sure how you tested this install.

I can tell you this, that often a user will see the message "NTLDR is Missing" after attempting to install Windows 2000 or Windows XP, or upgrade a Windows 95-based or Windows 98-based computer to Windows 2000 or Windows XP. The message appears after the first reboot. This occurs only if Windows 95 or 98 has been installed on a drive with the FAT32 file system.
To correct the problem, the user must boot the computer with a Windows 95 or 98 Startup diskette or another bootable diskette with sys.com on it. Then, at the "A:\>" prompt, type "sys c:" and press "enter." A "System Transferred" prompt should appear and then the user must reboot the computer without the diskette.

But if you make a “clean install” (with a formatted hard disk) this problem shouldn’t appear.

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 10 2005,13:20
Quote (Guest @ April 10 2005,18:33)
I suppose the first part (copy files) is working and when finished with this, computer reboots, and you get this message: "Could Not Find NTLDR".  Am I right? If this is the case, copy a new NTLDR file to EasyBoot\disk1\i386-folder to be sure that this file isn’t corrupt (happens to me sometimes).

Not exactly eureka.

I boot with EZB, want to launch the XP install by clicking on the menu (command run w2ksect.bin) and have directly the "Could Not Find NTLDR".

As I previously said, the NTLDR file is in the I386 folder.
Posted by eureka on Apr. 10 2005,13:51
Hello Limerick

To clear things up…

Basically it should look like this:

EasyBoot\disk1
win51
win51ic
i386

then
EasyBoot\disk1\ezboot\  w2ksect.bin (and other ezb files and images)

i386 should reside on root (easyBoot\disk1) together with win51, win51c
w2ksect.bin should be in ezboot folder.

Must point out that this is another mysterious problem, because w2ksect.bin points to setupldr in i386 folder witch then starts up installation procedure. Now it seems to point to the root and ntldr.bin file.
Make sure to only use the option “optimise” when creating ISO file.

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 10 2005,16:35
Ok, I progress.

I can boot on EZB and when selecting "Install XP", it begins to run but ask to insert a Floppy (?) containing XP.

But all files are on the EZB CD-Rom, so it would be enough...
Posted by eureka on Apr. 10 2005,17:09
Limerick….

I am sorry, if my suggestion was not exactly what you wanted. Sometimes, there are 20 ways of doing things, especially with M$ products, and none of them are what you want to do!!!

However, it begins to run but ask to insert a Floppy. You get this message when some of win51 files is missing on the root (Easyboot\disk1) or you have wrong types of win51 files. Depending on XP version there should be different win51 files.

Note: If using winXP_pro with slipstreamed sp2 you have to insert new (different) win51 files to the root (yes I have noticed that this issue of yours only concerns winXP_home – only want to point it out anyway).

Make sure you have the right stuff according to what version of integrated servicepack you are dealing with (if this have been done with installation files in i386).

Seems that the installation program can’t find win51 and win51ic on root (EasyBoot\disk1). Or there should be new (different) files according to some upgrade. I really don’t now.

At least you have come one step further (no NTLDR missing any more).

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 10 2005,17:32
eureka, don't be sorry.
It's very kind from you to help me the way you do :)

I did put the two Win51 files (win51 and win51ic) in EasyBoot\disk1

The "master" of XP is the Dell XP Home SP2 provided with the laptop and which I've "nLited".

This XP nLited install works as I managed to install it on the Laptop.

What I want to do, is now to implement this "nLited" XP install to my EasyBoot CD on which there are already my 2 Acronis tools.

And then I could give to my father this All-In-One CD in case of problem.

On this CD, there would be :

- the 2 Acronis tools,
- Drive Fitness Test (his previous laptop failed due to HDD death)
- "nLited" XP Home SP2

From now, every thing run (or should) except this XP install.

These explanations may help you to understand what I intend to do exactly.

I should have told you this before, sorry  :(

Have a good night,

Posted by eureka on Apr. 11 2005,02:26
Limerick

Please do this step bye step.

1. Start with installing this “Nlite-version” of WinXP-home on a different computer. (Note: use a “clean” CD without integrating it to EasyBoot).
2. If it fails, use original (“Master”) Dell XP-home CD (no Nlite) on that “different computer”. If this run as supposed, well then the problem is Nlite (common problem – I can tell you that!).
3. If even step 2 fails, you have a sample of Dell CD that’s been “hacked” to only install on that motherboard that belongs to your original Dell Laptop.

Yes I have experiences that point in this direction. Maybe not this one, but must be sorted out thru this step bye step test.

Why not use “Virtuell Pc” from Microsoft? It’s possible to test both ISO file made bye EasyBoot and/or run original CD from CD-unit. No need for burning CD every “test cycle”.

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 11 2005,14:34
Hello eureka,

1. It works without any problem

2. As it did not fail, I did not try

3. I did not try also.

So the problem seems to come from the integration of my XP install (nLited or not) into EasyBoot.

There is something I might do wrong...
Posted by eureka on Apr. 11 2005,16:22
Limerick….

At least the installation starts (no NTLDR missing any more) and you get the “blue screen” with basic information in the bottom of screen, and not many seconds later, the system asks for some floppy. Correct?

Typical for this behaviour (getting the message ”insert diskette….”) when installing WinXP (home or Pro) is that some of the win51 files can’t be found on root bye installation program.

I have WinXP-pro_sp2 and after slipstreaming this I have two new WIN51 files named: WIN51IP.sp2 and WIN51IP2

If you use (or have put together) a slipstreamed WinXP-home_sp2 there should be some more files pointing out that this is a WinXP-home with integrated servicepack 2. Where did you put those files?

Can’t figure out much more for the moment.

In fact (he, he) there isn’t much more hair left to pull out from my head…

Maybe somebody else have a clue how to solve this?

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 11 2005,16:30
Hello eureka,

Just before going to bed, here is what I did, as EasyBoot's helpfile says :

Quote
Create Windows XP bootable CD

1. Prepare files

1) copy directory i386 from  Windows XP CD to C:\EasyBoot\disk1

2) copy win51 to C:\EasyBoot\disk1

 for Windows XP Home Edition, copy  win51ic to C:\EasyBoot\disk1

 for Windows XP Professional, copy  win51ip to C:\EasyBoot\disk1

3) (Optional) copy autorun.inf, readme.htm, setup.exe  to C:\EasyBoot\disk1

6) (Optional) create directory C:\EasyBoot\disk1\SP, put all files needed (such as IE6, Windows XP sp1) here

Please check the following files:

C:\EasyBoot\disk1\ezboot\w2ksect.bin

C:\EasyBoot\disk1\i386\bootfix.bin

C:\EasyBoot\disk1\i386\setupldr.bin

C:\EasyBoot\disk1\win51

C:\EasyBoot\disk1\win51ic or  C:\EasyBoot\disk_xp\win51ip


As far as I remember, it's what I did.

But I shall try again... tomorrow ;)

Have a good night :)
Posted by eureka on Apr. 12 2005,02:52
Limerick…god morning!

Note: From here I refer to WinXP-pro according to different Win51 files.

Limerick, you show the correct path (tutorial) to what should be a well working CD (EasyBoot-CD) and I’m amazed that you can’t get it to run. This is in fact very odd.
But this: C:\EasyBoot\disk_xp\win51ip should be: C:\EasyBoot\disk1\win51ip (I suppose that’s what you suggest).

The most vital file to avoid message: “insert diskette…” is the file Win51ip. Leaving this out and you can be sure to get “insert diskette…”.

In fact, you can get the installation to run without win51 but not without Win51ip.
Is this a “dead end”? I mean that from here you are in a kind off: “Test and trial position” without now (or “feel”) what problem you (and I) are dealing with. It’s strange because it seems that you have done everything right!

The only thing I want to point out, is that you should only test with one OP-system at time. I mean only Win51ip (not together with Win51ic) if testing with WinXP-pro.

As I earlier pointed out: You are now in “test and trial position”.

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 12 2005,15:51
Hello eureka,

EUREKA !  :D

There's a new Win51 file to include : WIN51IC.SP2

I found it and put it in C:\EasyBoot\disk1\ (with the 2 others)
... and no problem. They should update the helpfile.

So I've finished my personnal UBCD with the two Acronis Tools, the Hitachi Drive Fitness Test and finally, the nLited XP install.

Thank you very much again for your help, eureka.

Hope to be able to help you some day... (but I think you know much more things than me :laugh: ).

See you... maybe for another question in a while :p

Have a good night,
Posted by eureka on Apr. 12 2005,16:23
Hello Limerick

I quote from my earlier text: “If you use (or have put together) a slipstreamed WinXP-home_sp2 there should be some more files pointing out that this is a WinXP-home with integrated servicepack 2. Where did you put those files?
Note: If using winXP_pro with slipstreamed sp2 you have to insert new (different) win51 files to the root”.

Well… it’s good to hear that you finally got it right…

eureka
Posted by Limerick on Apr. 12 2005,17:15
Sorry eureka to have missed that point in your previous post.
I was a bit in a hurry these 2 last days...

Cheers,