You are trying to boot a machine using a different hardware configuration
from the original one that hard drive serviced, and that is your problem in
a nutshell. Different BIOS, different mainboard chipset, excetera, ad
nauseum. The only way I know to fix this one besides wiping the drive and
putting a fresh install of the OS on it (which is the best fix) is to first
use Recovery Console to run FIXMBR and FIXBOOT to set the proper boot
headers for the new machine. After that, you boot Windows in Safe Mode and
completely clean out the Device Manager and reload the proper device drivers
for everything. Easier just to backup the data on the drive, wipe it, and
start fresh. Hope this helps you some. :)
-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Anne Smith
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] Activating a hard drive/ NTLDR is missing
Hello All,
I am upgrading my daughter's computer. She had an IBM Netvista P3, 256
meg ram (max I can put in the mobo), 20 gig hard-drive. I acquired a
working Compaq Deskpro EN Small Form Factor P800 10e/6/128c from an
auction and added some RAM (to 512mb the max) and the computer booted ok.
I replaced the existing 10gig HDD with the 20 gig from the Netvista,
expecting it to boot, and received the NTLDR is missing, press any key
to reboot warning. I checked on line and placed another 10gig HDD from a
second working Compaq Deskpro EN Small Form Factor P800 10e/6/128c,
which booted to the OS with out any problems, so I imagine the MOBO,
ram, cables and ribbons etc are ok.
I found this site http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm and
downloaded the boot floppy. I can access the disk, the OS and all
programs, but when I reboot, the message again. The site mentions
ensuring the drive containing the OS is marked ACTIVE. I followed the
directions, and the option is greyed out.
Any suggestions on how to "activate this disk" so it will enable direct
boot with out the floppy will be gratefully received.
Thanks for reading
Anne Smith
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