I can't start my Windows 98, is has a blue screen and shows NTLDR missing. I try to reboot but unable to do it. In my PC I have very important software in C: drive. What can I do now. If I reinstall this then all of my important software will be lost. Is it possible to repair NTLDR by any way. If any one know, please let me know.
For NTLDR errors it most likely points to the following causes:
An NTLDR file is necessary for loading the operating system during startup, or loading a boot selection screen for dual boot systems. It was made available for NTFS file systems running Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 for the desktop and server versions.
Substitute the missing NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM file by copying them from another working machine running the same operating system. Create a Win98 startup disk, copy the two files on it, boot the computer via floppy, and copy the two files via MSDOS. If computer is not properly set up on the BIOS side, try to boot and enter CMOS BIOS setup to correct the error. Save settings and reboot
To try and fix corrupted boot sectors or MBR on Win98, just insert the win98 startup floppy into the drive, power up the computer, wait for the A:> prompt to appear, and enter the command “fdisk /mbr” without the quotes to repair the master boot record. Restart the computer to test. If running Win XP, insert the install CD, select recovery mode, and enter the commands “fixboot”, and “fixmbr” without the quotes. If you are running Windows XP you can do a “repair install” setup that just overwrites your missing system files and leaves all your applications, settings and preferences intact. Just put in install disk, boot the system, follow the install prompts but don’t choose to wipe out existing partition. Just make the install detect existing windows partition and do the repair install from there.
Worst- case scenario is that you are still unable to boot into Windows after all you’ve done. The thing to do here is not panic. You can still recover and view all your files by using another operating system. Use any Linux Live CD like Ubuntu that enables users to boot off a full operating system without changing or altering any files on your main hard drive. Use the Linux file browser (usually it’s gnome or /dolphin) to navigate to your C: drive, extract the files you need to save, plug in a USB flash or external drive, and copy to that location. You can just simply format and wipe out your C: drive to reinstall windows after that, having saved all you need on your external drive via the Linux live CD.
Looks like you have a couple of problems you need solutions to. You mentioned a blue screen and an NTLDR missing error. You most likely have encountered the dreaded Blue Screen Of Death that was first encountered on Windows long ago. We need to analyze the issue and sort out whether it’s hardware or software error.
For hardware errors causing BSOD [blue screen], the most likely causes are a loose faulty IDE/EIDE drives, faulty memory modules, faulty peripheral devices, and motherboard errors at worst.
For NTLDR errors it most likely points to the following causes:
An NTLDR file is necessary for loading the operating system during startup, or loading a boot selection screen for dual boot systems. It was made available for NTFS file systems running Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 for the desktop and server versions.
Substitute the missing NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM file by copying them from another working machine running the same operating system. Create a Win98 startup disk, copy the two files on it, boot the computer via floppy, and copy the two files via MS-DOS. If computer is not properly set up on the BIOS side, try to boot and enter CMOS BIOS setup to correct the error. Save settings and reboot.
To try and fix corrupted boot sectors or MBR on Win 98, just insert the Win 98 startup floppy into the drive, power up the computer, wait for the “A:>” prompt to appear, and enter the command “fdisk /mbr” without the quotes to repair the master boot record. Restart the computer to test. If running Windows XP, insert the install CD, select recovery mode, and enter the commands “fixboot”, and “fixmbr” without the quotes.
If you are running Windows XP you can do a “repair install” setup that just overwrites your missing system files and leaves all your applications, settings and preferences intact. Just insert the setup disk, boot the system, follow the install prompts but don’t choose to wipe out existing partition. Just make the install detect existing Windows partition and do the repair install from there.
Worst-case scenario is that you are still unable to boot into Windows after all you’ve done. The thing to do here is not panic. You can still recover and view all your files by using another operating system. Use any Linux Live CD like the one you can download from Ubuntu | Download | Download Ubuntu for your desktop that enables users to boot off a full operating system without changing or altering any files on your main hard drive.
Use the Linux file browser [usually it’s Gnome or /dolphin] to navigate to your C: drive, extract the files you need to save, plug in a USB flash drive or an external drive, and copy to that location. You can just simply format and wipe out your C: drive to reinstall Windows after that, having saved all you need on your external drive via the Linux live CD.
